CalBike Insider: What Does It Mean When CalBike Opposes a Bill?

CalBike’s Legislative Watch chart lists three bills we’re sponsoring this year, eight bills we’re supporting, and 15 bills we’re watching. Our position is oppose on only one bill: AB 612, the Increase Fire Department Authority Bill. We watch a lot of bills but generally oppose very few. Here’s a breakdown of the difference and why we do it this way.

What does it mean when CalBike is watching a bill?

Our legislation watch includes all the legislation that touches on our mission to bring joyful, safe biking and walking to all Californians. Bills land on our watchlist for one of three reasons:

• The bill language hasn’t been fully fleshed out, and we’re waiting for more information to find out whether we support it or not.
• We are neutral on a bill. We don’t think it will advance our mission, but it probably won’t harm it either.
• We don’t support the measure, but it doesn’t rise to the level where we would oppose it.

We keep an eye on the progress of watchlist bills as they move through the legislative process, but we don’t attend hearings to testify or send letters in support or opposition. Over time, some of those bills may move to our Active Transportation Slate — our support list. On rare occasions, we might decide to oppose a watchlist bill. 

Why doesn’t CalBike oppose many bills?

When we take a position opposing a bill, that means we’re actively working to defeat or amend it because we think the bill, as written, will do harm. In the example of the Increase Fire Department Authority Bill, we’re concerned because of the history of fire departments opposing new infrastructure that will increase safety for bike riders. Our allied bicycle coalitions feel strongly about this issue, and we believe standing up against it will lead to a better outcome.

Even so, opposition is a tricky matter. The author of AB 612, Assemblymember Chris Rogers, is a champion for active transportation in his district. We work to maintain positive relationships with many legislators, not just the core group of reliable bike champions. A look at this year’s legislative watch (or that of any past year) shows a range of authors of excellent bills. California legislators bring a diversity of perspectives that enrich our legislative agenda; we want to keep as many doors open as possible.

Opposing a bill might mean working to defeat it, but more often, it involves working with the author’s office and with various committees that will vote on it to suggest revisions. In the case of the fire department bill, we hope to incorporate concerns from the bike and safe streets community, along with fire prevention. We believe street safety and fire safety aren’t incompatible, and while we might not support this bill in the end, moving our position from oppose to watch would be a victory.