California’s Complete Streets Bill is slowly making its way through the legislative process. Its goal is to ensure that state roads are accessible and safe for all users.
Cyclists find California’s weather conducive for riding throughout the year. Unfortunately, the state’s current infrastructure isn’t as bicycle-friendly.
An improved infrastructure means improved safety
Cycling is a viable and sustainable mode of transportation. Using a bicycle for daily commutes contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, leading to cleaner air and healthier communities. It also helps to promote physical activity, contributing to improved health outcomes.
SB 960 encourages the development of dedicated bike lanes and paths, making them safer and more convenient for cyclists to navigate. In Los Angeles, 85% of bicycle fatalities in 2022 occurred on roads without dedicated bike lanes. SB 960 also seeks to add bike boxes and improve signaling at intersections.
The Complete Streets Bill also looks to implement traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, raised crosswalks and roundabouts in order to slow down vehicle traffic.
The bill also requires all transportation projects funded by Caltrans to integrate the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians into the planning process. Increased efforts will also be made to educate the public about sharing the roads to help promote more respectful and safer interactions between drivers and cyclists.
If enacted, California’s Complete Streets Bill would represent a significant step forward in making the state’s roads more inclusive. We all benefit from an environment that is friendly to everyone. State lawmakers need to hear the voices of its citizens. Until this bill is signed into law, the lives of cyclists and pedestrians will continue to be at risk.
