Learn about the latest legislation around active transportation safety
With the new year, California has three new transportation bills signed by the Governor that will reimagine our streets and the safety of our most vulnerable road users. Below, you will find more information on each bill and what it means for cities across the state.
Slow Streets, Los Angeles (Photo credit: Emmett Institute at UCLA School of Law)
AB 43 Traffic Safety
Authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman, the AB 43 bill allows cities to lower their speed limits across town in order to improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. In addition, cities are now able to work with Caltrans to establish a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or lower on street-level state highways that are located in any business or residence district. For many cities and their Vision Zero goals, this bill will greatly impact the way they set speed limits to help lower traffic crashes and fatalities citywide.
AB 773 Street Closures and Designations
Authored by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, the AB 773 bill allows local authorities across California to adopt a slow streets program, including those with vehicle closures. The bill also creates specified conditions that a local authority has to meet in order to implement a slow street, including a determination that closure or traffic restriction is necessary for the safety and protection of those using the closed or restricted portion of the street, conducting an outreach and engagement process in the community, and clearly designating the closure or traffic restriction with specific signage.
SB 339 Vehicles: Road Usage Charge Pilot Program
Authored by Senator Scott Wiener, the SB 339 bill extends the operation of a Road Usage Charge (RUC) Technical Advisory Committee in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation to guide the development and evaluation of a pilot program to assess the potential for mileage-based revenue collection as an alternative to the gas tax system. Pre-existing law repealed these provisions on January 1, 2023, but now the provisions will extend until January 1, 2027. Under the bill, participants in the program are charged a mileage-based fee and receive a credit or a refund for fuel taxes or electric vehicle fees.
Explore California Legislation
To learn more about current legislation influencing the safety for people walking, biking, and rolling in California, visit our legislation inventory page, which is continuously updated as new legislation is passed.
If you are aware of California legislation that needs to be updated or is not present on our page, please reach out by sending an e-mail to safetrec@berkeley.edu