I oppose SB-960 which requires all transportation projects funded or overseen by Caltrans to include "complete streets" facilities. "Complete Streets" is code for removing car travel lanes (aka "road diets") in favor of unused bike lanes. This bill will further restrict the ability of Californians to use their personal automobiles.
SB-960:
- Will harm those who rely on free-flowing roadways including commuters, consumers, delivery vehicles, first responders, and anyone who wants to get to their destination in a reasonable amount of time.
- Will harm the lowest income residents who often have to drive the furthest to work.
- Will reduce access to jobs, commerce and recreation.
- Will waste massive resources on unnecessary projects.
- Will create massive congestion (bad for the environment).
- Will make roads less safe by intentionally mixing more vulnerable road users (bike and peds) with faster moving traffic and forcing traffic onto neighborhood streets to avoid congestion on major roadways.
- Will slow emergency response times. In Paradise, CA, over 80 people burned to death due to a "complete streets" initiative, which removed traffic lanes on the town's sole evacuation route, hindering escape during a wildfire.
Complete Streets designs are not appropriate for every roadway. SB-960 imposes a one-size fits-all approach on roadways where it is not safe or needed. I urge you to vote NO on SB-960!
