Article 2. Nonmotorized Transportation Facilities of California Streets And Highways Code >> Division 1. >> Chapter 8. >> Article 2.

As used in this chapter, "nonmotorized transportation facility" means a facility designed primarily for the use of pedestrians, bicyclists, or equestrians. It may be designed primarily for one or more of those uses.

The department, in cooperation with local agencies, shall publish a statewide map illustrating state highway routes available for the use of bicyclists and, where bicyclists are prohibited from using a state highway, illustrating, in such a case, safe, alternate routes available to the bicyclist.

Prior to December 31 of each year, the department shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Legislature summarizing programs it has undertaken for the development of nonmotorized transportation facilities, including a summary of major and minor projects. The report shall document all state funding for bicycle programs, including funds from the Bicycle Transportation Account, the Transportation Planning and Development Account, and the Clean Air Transportation Improvement Act. The report shall also summarize the existing directives received by the department from the Federal Highway Administration concerning the availability of federal funds for the programs, together with an estimate of the fiscal impact of the federal participation in the programs.

Upon the request of a public agency, as defined by Section 6500 of the Government Code, the department may enter into an agreement with the agency for the construction and maintenance of nonmotorized transportation facilities which generally follow a state highway right-of-way where the department has determined that the facility will improve safety and convenience for bicyclists. The department's contribution, if any, to the cost of constructing the nonmotorized facilities shall be based upon a finding that the traffic safety or capacity of the highway will be increased. The agreements may provide for the handling and accounting of funds, the acquisition or conveyance of right-of-way, maintenance, and any other phase of the project.

(a) After consulting with the law enforcement agency having primary traffic law enforcement responsibility with respect to the state highway, the department may construct and maintain nonmotorized transportation facilities approximately paralleling that highway.
  (b) Where the traffic safety or capacity of the highway would be increased, the department shall pay for the construction and maintenance of nonmotorized transportation facilities approximately paralleling the highway.
  (c) The Legislature finds and declares that the construction and maintenance of nonmotorized transportation facilities constitute a highway purpose under Article XIX of the California Constitution, and justify the expenditure of highway funds and the exercise of the power of eminent domain therefor.

The department shall not construct a state highway as a freeway that will result in the severance or destruction of an existing major route for nonmotorized transportation traffic and light motorcycles, unless it provides a reasonable, safe, and convenient alternate route or such a route exists.

The department shall also incorporate nonmotorized transportation facilities in the design of freeways on the state highway system along corridors where nonmotorized facilities do not exist, upon a finding that the facilities would conform to the California Recreational Trails System Plan specified in Section 5070.7 of the Public Resources Code or upon a finding, following a public hearing, that the facilities would conform to the master plans of local agencies for the development of nonmotorized facilities and would not duplicate existing or proposed routes, and that community interests would be enhanced by the construction of the facilities. The department shall establish an annual priority list of projects to be funded pursuant to this section, which shall primarily benefit bicyclists rather than other highway users.

Each annual budget prepared pursuant to Section 165 shall include an amount of not less than three hundred sixty thousand dollars ($360,000) for the construction of nonmotorized transportation facilities to be used in conjunction with the state highway system.

The department may enter into any agreements, execute any documents, establish and manage any accounts or deposits, or take any other action that may be appropriate to receive and expend funds from the federal government in connection with state or local agency bicycle programs and nonmotorized transportation projects for which federal funds are available. The department may undertake demonstration projects and perform technical studies.