CALIFORNIA—The transport sector is constantly changing in a bid to address increased climatic concerns and reduce the rate of pollution. For most people, this has been through the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs), while for others, it has been through opting for alternative methods of transport like using bikes. The latter is not only effective in reducing the rate of emissions, but it can also contribute to an active lifestyle. Of late, many cities have been making efforts to make their areas more bike-friendly and promote sustainable transport modes. One of the latest states to climb the ranks on bike safety has been California. Here is what you need to know about the recent developments.
State Rankings
California ranked as the 4th most bike friendly state in the annual rankings by the League of American Bicyclists that was released in DC. This comes after the state formulated several bicycle friendly policies in recent years. The said policies have to be institutionalized and monitored by local Caltrans in order for the change to be effective. Collaboration between the state legislature and Caltrans will also be key in effecting the changes.
While the state has made significant progress in terms of improving bike safety, more needs to be done to meet the demands in the cities. For example, even though California’s Active Transportation Program has expanded in recent years, it still falls short of meeting the walking and biking investments with nearly a $2 billion gap in funding. This has led to the $2 Billion for Bikes campaign that is aimed at filling this gap. The legislature and the governor have so far committed $1.1 billion to improve the biking and walking infrastructure which is a step in the right direction. While progress is happening at the state level, cities and towns are making their own improvements too. The city of Fresno recently accepted a grant to work toward Vision Zero and to implement improvements for cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
According to the director of CalBike, Dave Snyder, California being named one of the top bike friendly states is wonderful news. However, based on the state’s location and level of infrastructure, it should be the leading bike-friendly state nationwide. This is because bikes are not only ideal for recreation, but they can also be used for commuting and shopping if need be. To achieve this dream, it is important for the state to create safe bikeways that will not only enable people to reach their destinations but also encourage the use of this mode of transport.
Other Important Findings From the 2024 Rankings Report
Other than state rankings on Nike safety, there are other findings that have been brought to light by this report. Here are some of the key findings.
Cyclist Fatalities: In 2023, it is estimated there were 1,149 cyclist fatalities, which is the highest number recorded yet. This shows an alarming trend for bike users. In-depth statistics show that state-owned roads account for the highest percentage of these fatalities compared to other roads.
Focus on Safe Speeds: A new scoring category was introduced by the league this year. This is aimed at assessing state laws and helping communities adopt safer speed limits for all road users.
Infrastructure Investments: There have been increased investments in biking and walking projects in many states thanks to the Investments and Jobs Act. However, even more investment is needed to make biking safer.
Amidst rising global warming concerns, it is upon us to ensure that we adopt methods and policies that can minimize the global impact of pollution. With that in mind, it is important for responsible governments to institutionalize policies and development projects that are geared towards the realization of this dream. States such as California are paving the way for better, safer, healthier and less polluted cities by improving bike safety and creating the right infrastructure to support the same.
