October 2012 - SB1380 and AB2245

Awaiting signatures on the Governor’s desk (as of 9/23/12)  are two bills that will make it significantly easier to conduct bicycle planning and bike lane projects in California. Both passed Assembly and Senate committees and full houses with relatively little opposition.

The first bill,  SB 1380, (Rubio)  and sponsored by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group,  would amend Section 21080.20 of the Public Resources Code to provide a statutory  exemption to Bike Plans,  specifically  to ”a bicycle transportation plan prepared pursuant to Section 891.2 of the Streets and Highways Code for an urbanized area for restriping of streets and highways, bicycle parking and storage, signal timing to improve street and highway intersection operations, and related signage for bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles” .  The exemption would be for a three-year trial period, ending on January 1, 2018, unless another statute deletes or extends this date.

SB 1380 would  spare local agencies the expense  and delay associated with preparing an  EIR for a bike plan of an urbanized area. This is compatible with  environmental and sustainability goals since planning for an environmentally-benign mode such as bicycling is one way to achieve the clean environment that EIR’s are intended to retain.   

The second bill, AB 2245 (Smyth of Los Angeles), would provide a statutory exemption for a bike lane project “that consists of the restriping of streets and highways for bicycle lanes in an urbanized area“ by adding 21080.20.5 to the Public Resources Code.  It was passed by the Assembly August 24, 2012 and by the Senate August 21, 2012. Prior to determining that a project is exempt pursuant to this section, the lead agency shall do both of the following:

(1) Prepare an assessment of any traffic and safety impacts of the project and include measures in the project to mitigate potential vehicular traffic impacts and bicycle and pedestrian safety impacts.

(2) Hold noticed public hearings in areas affected by the project to hear and respond to public comments.   This bill also sunsets in January 1, 2018, unless another statute deletes or extends this date.

AB 2245 would spare local agencies the expense and delay of preparing an EIR for a simple bike lane project such as a road diet or other restriping project. Providing affordable transportation alternatives, mitigating the negative effects of traffic congestion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, conserving energy, improving the health and physical fitness of residents, and creating more livable neighborhoods are all benefits that could be realized by increasing bicycle usage in urban areas.