Category: politics

“Street Fight” tonight in San Francisco

Richard MasonerSeptember 24, 2013Leave a Comment

SFSU Associate Professor of Geography Dr Jason Henderson will speak tonight at the Green Arcade to discuss the built environment in San Francisco and other topics spinning off from his book Street Fight: the Politics of Mobility in San Francisco.


Street Fight: The politics of mobility in San Francisco

Henderson covers the recent history of San Francisco’s transportation politics, beginning with the freeway revolt of the 1960s, though Willie Brown’s famously anti-bike policies and today’s start and stop and start again pursuit of bike infrastructure, all in the backdrop of a 40 year old Transit First policy that still often prioritizes the automobile over any other transportation mode.

I majored in political science in college and get into this stuff. Although the text is a little dry, it’s accessible and non-wonky and recommended for any bike hippie who would like to see some real bike advocacy action in his or her city. Click on the book cover image above if you’d like to buy it or read other reviews.

Anyway, away from the book advertisement and back to the topic at hand: The Green Arcade, 680 Market Street (at Gough), San Francisco. 7 PM tonight, Tuesday September 24, 2013. H/T Anthony.

Posted In politics | san francisco

California: Yet another bicycle legislation update 2013

Richard MasonerSeptember 16, 20131 Comment on California: Yet another bicycle legislation update 2013

The California legislature wrapped up the first year of their two year session last Friday. Damien Newton in Los Angeles tracked a few bills that may be of interest to you. I have a couple more here.

First of all, a correction: Damien mistakenly reports that AB 417 (CEQA exemptions for bike plans) died in Senate committee. In reality, AB 417 passed the Senate last Wednesday (on a consent calendar vote, no less). The Assembly concurred Senate amendments into the bill just before the session end last Friday. AB 417 would exempt bike plans from certain California Environmental Quality Act requirements. It currently awaits the Governor’s signature.

Three feet for safety: The other big bill we’re all waiting with bated breath for is AB 1371, California’s third try at a three feet passing law. Governor Brown has until September 21 to either sign or veto this bill.

Expanded membership in transportation commission: AB 1290, which expands membership in the policy-setting California Transportation Commission, passed last Thursday.

I-710 project: SB 811 passed last Thursday. This is the bill to require community input and environmental reviews for the I-710 project in Los Angeles.

Like AB 1371, SB 811 and AB 1290 await action from the Governor’s office. He has a huge pile of other legislation to peruse so it might be a while.

That “Blame the Victim” resolution by DeSaulnier and Evans, SR 17, thankfully died in the Senate rules committee. This Senate Resolution comes from the same playbook used by school principal Camillo Turriciano of New York City’s I.S. 73 after five of her students were seriously injured when an out of control maniac charged up onto the sidewalk with her S.U.V.

Damien covers some other legislation that may be of interest. Like him, I’ve also followed AB 60 (drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants, last I’ve heard Governor will veto); AB 184 (statute of limitations for hit and run drivers); SB 731/743 (wider CEQA amendments outside of just bike projects).

I’ve also covered other 2013 bicycle legislation here that either passed earlier on the year or died in committee or on the floor of their respective chamber.

If you’d like to send a word of support or opposition to one of these bills, shoot a note to the Governor here.

Posted In california | politics

California 3 foot law passes final legislative hurdle

Richard MasonerAugust 30, 20133 Comments on California 3 foot law passes final legislative hurdle

The folks at CABO tell me that the California Assembly voted this morning to approve the amendments to AB 1371, representative Steven Bradford’s “Three Feet for Safety” bill that mandates (sort of) a minimum 3 feet of clearance when a motor vehicle passes a bicycle. 51 voted in favor of the amended bill, while 23 representatives voted “no.”

The Assembly initially passed AB 1371 last May. The Senate passed this bill on Monday, August 26. Because the Senate version included amendments, the bill returned to the Assembly for that chamber’s approval of the Senate changes.

The bill as passed includes a “get out of jail free” card that essentially neuters to force of this act. It states that a driver can pass even if three feet isn’t available.

Subdivision (d): If the driver of a motor vehicle is unable to comply with subdivision (c), due to traffic or roadway conditions, the driver shall slow to a speed that is reasonable and prudent, and may pass only when doing so would not endanger the safety of the operator of the bicycle, taking into account the size and speed of the motor vehicle and bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and surface and width of the highway.

What are you thinking right now? Yeah, that’s what I thought, too.

Still, mainstream media coverage on this bill hasn’t mentioned this shortcoming, so maybe a few drivers will just remember the part about “three feet” and drive accordingly.

Okay, I’ll quit with the comedy routine now. Anybody who’s ticketed for violating this law can fight it and easily win with this subdivision (d) clause.

After the Labor Day holiday, AB 1371 moves on to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown, who has vetoed both previous attempts at similar 3 feet passing laws.

This subdivision (d) stinks, and I’m having a hard time getting too enthusiastic about it. Once this bill becomes law, any future chance to rectify it may prove difficult, so maybe we should wait until Brown terms out before trying again.

What do you think? Is the perfect the enemy of the good in this case?

Posted In california | politics
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California bicycle legislation update 2013

Richard MasonerAugust 15, 20133 Comments on California bicycle legislation update 2013

$44.5M for Safe Routes (kinda sorta); larger bike racks for Sacramento buses approved. Environmental review exemption for bike plans and three feet passing on today’s Senate agenda.

The California Senate returned from their summer recess this week and they’re busy plowing through the hundreds of bills on their agenda. Among them are a number of bills that can have a direct impact on California cyclists. I’ve also thrown a couple of transit-related bills in this update.


San Jose Bike Party No Pants Ride July 2013

(more…)

Posted In california | news | politics

California 3 foot passing law committee hearing Monday

Richard MasonerAugust 9, 2013Leave a Comment

Update: No committee hearing today for AB 1371; a second reading is scheduled today for the full Senate. Next step is a vote after a third hearing and then, if it passes, the Governor’s desk.

Assemblyman Steven Bradford’s “Three Feet for Safety Act” for California passed the state Assembly last May. The bill has been winding its way through the Senate.

I’m getting contradictory information from the status update for this bill, but AB 1371 is either headed to a second reading on the Senate floor this Monday, or a crucial hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee takes place on Monday, August 12, 2013. Since this is not an appropriations bill, no hearing is required, but just in case…

Senators on the Appropriations Committee are:

  • Kevin De Leon from District 22 (a big chunk of Los Angeles and other nearby cities)
  • Mimi Walters, District 37 (southern Orange County, including several beach towns)
  • Ted Gaines, 1st District (northeastern California, from Folsom north to the Oregon border and including El Dorado, Shasta, Placer, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Lassen, Modoc and Siskoyou counties)
  • Jerry Hill represents Senate District 13 (Santa Clara County north of about Cupertino and most of San Mateo County)
  • Ricardo Lara of District 33 (a piece of L.A. County from Long Beach north to Vernon).
  • Alex Padilla from the 20th District covers the San Fernando valley, fer sure fer sure.
  • Darrel Steinberg, District 6 (Sacramento and its suburbs).

If you live in one of these areas, please contact your Senator today to let them know how you feel about the three foot passing bill. Historically, a three foot bill has passed easily through both chambers of the California legislature, but Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed both previous attempts at similar laws. Bradford’s AB 1371 attempts to address the concern Brown brought up in his previous vetoes, which explains some of the convoluted language in this year’s incarnation. You can read the text and status of AB 1371 here. The final vote on the bill occurs immediately after the third reading to the full Senate.

Posted In california | politics
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