AB 2259 progress, Bicyclist Handbook

[Jim Baross]

The bill to create a Bicycle Driver Handbook for California passed the Assembly Transportation Committee and is being held up in the Appropriations Committee. (The Estimated cost for development is only $28,000.)

If you favor the Bill (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/ billStatus), let your legislator know.

Thanks.

Here is what CABO just sent in support.

The California Association of Bicyclists supports the effort to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities among bicyclists while promoting safer and more frequent bicycling. Encouraging more people to use bicycles for travel and recreation activities in a safe and lawful manner would benefit California. The fast-increasing use of electric-assisted bicycles lends some urgency to help inform new users about lawful, safe, and courteous bicycle use. To achieve this goal, an internet-available resource, similar to the California Motorcyclist Manual, could provide official, authoritative, and cost-effective information. Several other states have developed bicyclist handbooks that meet the recommended information criteria of proposed legislation. California could easily develop a Bicycle Driver Handbook, using the contents of the "Street Smarts" booklets, which are widely used by other states, with permission. Other states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Idaho, Arizona, and soon Florida, offer similar resources. While the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has improved bicycle-related content in their California Driver's Handbook and online content, and the California Highway Patrol's online information is beneficial, their content only covers basic information about California Vehicle Codes. A California Bicycle Driver Handbook would provide more comprehensive information on operating a bicycle successfully, lawfully, and courteously. The DMV's Motorcycle Handbook serves as a good example of how such a handbook could benefit California cyclists.

Jim Baross

Board Member, League of American Bicyclists

President, Calif. Assoc. of Bicycling Organizations

Board Member, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition

Sender notified by Mailtrack

04/17/24, 09:53:24 AM