Governor Signs Sen. Blakespear’s Legislation to Improve Bike Safety

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to improve bike safety by prohibiting new sharrows from being installed on roads with speeds of 30 mph or greater.

SB 1216 also prohibits the state’s Active Transportation Program from funding Class III bikeways on roads with design speeds of 25 mph or more unless otherwise appropriate for the local community context and to create a lower stress environment. Class III bikeways are lanes for bicycles that are shared with motor vehicles. 

Sharrows are one type of Class III bikeway and are designated by chevron and bicycle markings. This is in contrast to other types of bikeways on roads that are separated from car traffic by either a lane line or a physical barrier.

 "I thank Gov. Newsom for signing this legislation, which will help protect the safety of cyclists,” Sen. Blakespear said. “Whenever bicyclists don’t have their own lanes on roadways but must share them with cars, we need to be extra careful. Limiting he speeds allowed on sharrows will help reduce the danger for cyclists.”

In addition, this year Sen. Blakespear authored SB 689, which the Governor signed on Sept. 22. The legislation cuts unnecessary red tape in the development of bike lanes, dedicated transit lanes and pedestrian walkways along California’s coastline.

Elected in 2022, Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and part of Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.