AB 43 Will Allow Reduced Speed Limits for Slower Streets

For Immediate Release:

Dave Snyder, CalBike | dave@calbike.org | 916-251-9433

AB 43 Will Allow Reduced Speed Limits for Slower Streets

Sacramento – Citing the success of “Slow Streets” across California during the COVID lockdown, the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike) is proud to support AB 43, a bill that could help make slow streets a permanent part of California communities. Lower speeds are crucial for neighborhood Slow Streets, a concept so successful during California’s COVID lockdown that now the Los Angeles City Council would like to make it permanent.

“The bill would allow communities to set lower speed limits to keep streets safe without being hamstrung by out-of-date laws,” said Dave Snyder, executive director of CalBike. “Permanent slow streets become possible if the state legislature changes an old rule that basically lets speeding drivers set the speed limits.”  

AB 43 Reforms the “85% Rule”

This Caltrans rule requires cities to set the speed limit at the speed of the car going faster than 85 out of 100 car drivers. This method sets speed limits according to the (often irresponsible) behavior of drivers, not the needs of the community. The current rule actually rewards drivers for speeding.

AB 43 has passed the California Assembly and is now headed to the Senate Transportation committee.