V I C T O R Y !This is a great ending to what began as a nightmare when the CHP suddenly enforced the letter-of-the-law to prohibit AC Transit from continuing to mount racks on their new 45' buses. The EBBC board and Executive Director wish to thank each of you who took the time to write to Governor Davis or helped in the campaign. Davis and many other legislators received a loud message that bicyclists and transit matter!
We can now look forward to the installation of front racks on all transbay and express coaches to carry two bikes.
In addition, we expect to soon augment the bike capacity of the larger express and transbay buses. Our negotiations with AC Transit, Caltrans and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) have resulted in an agreement to replace the San Mateo Bridge "bike mitigation shuttle" with regularly scheduled bus service that will have a capacity for six bikes per bus, as specified by the BCDC. This service was contingent on the passage of AB 1409. Starting this winter, the 45' coaches on this route will be equipped with a front rack plus luggage-bay racks. A prototype of the luggage-bay rack was featured on the cover of the August rideOn.
Background:
Over the past two years AC Transit cooperated with the EBBC to equip their new 45' buses--the big green MCI coaches--with front-loading bike racks. The California Vehicle Code did not have a specific provision for racks on 45' buses, despite allowance for racks on 60' articulated buses. In 2003, the CHP suddenly clamped down on AC Transit and would not allow racks to be installed on a new shipment of the big buses. Bicyclists who had grown accustomed to using express and transbay buses suddenly found themselves stranded!
The EBBC immediately brought this issue to the attention of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and elected officials. We found many sympathetic ears among the MTC, AC Transit staff and elected officials. We helped draft AB1409 with Assemblywomen Lois Wolk (D-Davis). Together with the MTC and California Bicycle Coalition we prevailed over challenges from the powerful Amalgamated Transit Union and the CHP this summer in Sacramento. The California Senate Transportation Committee approved AB 1409, allowing bike racks on 45-foot buses, and Governor Davis signed the bill on September 17.
Our vision to link bikes and buses in the Bay Area and throughout the state--including Amtrak Thruway Service--is close to becoming a reality.
More Info: EBBC April 2003 newsletter
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