California Governor Signs Complete Streets Bill Into Law

Among the many bills signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom last week is the state’s first Complete Streets law, reports Melanie Curry for Streetsblog California.

“S.B. 960 requires Caltrans to prioritize road improvements for pedestrians, bike riders, and public transit users whenever it performs maintenance or does road work. That can include sidewalks, bike lanes, bus-only lanes, comfortable and accessible public transportation stops, frequent and safe crosswalks, median islands, accessible pedestrian signals, curb extensions, narrower travel lanes, and more.” The law also calls for a “more transparent decision process” when local governments want to make safety improvements on state-managed roads, a move sometimes blocked by state agencies.

In addition to pedestrian and bike infrastructure, the bill requires Caltrans to develop a plan for prioritizing public transit, which “should make infrastructure like bus lanes and protected bus stops easier and faster to build.”

Curry notes that the law “still offers Caltrans ways to avoid doing the work that's needed,” and that local advocates must remain vigilant. 

The article details another new law, AB 2086, that requires Caltrans to conduct a financial analysis of its California Transportation Plan. “Right now, this plan, which lays the groundwork for the state's future transportation system, is an ‘aspirational’ plan without any solid discussion of funding sources - nor of where current funding is being spent or could be better spent.”