AB 534 to beef up Bicycle Transportation Account
AB 534, authored by Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, which increases the funding for bike lanes, passed out of the Assembly earlier this week.
“I am glad to see that this important issue was met with bi-partisan support,” said Smyth. “By establishing safer bike routes and linking existing bike paths to create better bike mobility, more people will be able to ride to work, relieving traffic congestion and reducing air pollution.”
AB 534 will increase funding to the Bicycle Transportation Account in order to better assist local governments in their efforts to include planning for bike lanes and other bicycle facilities. Current law requires that $416,667 be transferred monthly from the Highway Users Tax Account to the Bicycle Transportation Account (BTA) in order to fund bicycle transportation projects. AB 534 increases that amount to $1 million per month.
[view:node_ad=5]Money from this account is meant to be used to improve bicycle safety and convenience. Specifically, this money can be used for new bikeways, bicycle-carrying facilities, installation of traffic control devices to improve bicycle travel, elimination of hazardous conditions on existing bikeways, planning and improvement and maintenance of bikeways. Funding is provided to cities, counties and the Department of Transportation.
“This bill will help to improve the quality of life in our communities in so many ways. I am proud to be a part of such positive legislation.”