Senator Henry Stern Pushes to Expand Capitol Bike Share Program Statewide
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Henry Stern teamed up with a coalition of bike share advocates and elected officials for a ride across the State Capitol yesterday afternoon in support of an initiative to spread bike share programs statewide. The bill, Senate Bill 702, is authored by Senator Stern and would expand the Capitol bike share program that allows state employees to rent a bicycle for free for trips during the day to other locations in the state.
"By reducing the number of state vehicles we use every day, and building upon successes we've already seen with bike sharing, SB 702 will save taxpayers money, offer workers happier and healthier transportation modes, and reduce air pollution," remarked Senator Stern from the Capitol steps.
In May of 2016, the Department of General Services (DGS) opened the State Employee Bike Share Program in Sacramento to provide state employees with bicycles to rent during the day. After completing an online safety training and signing a waiver of liability, employees are free to use the bicycles for state business, to run errands, get lunch or use for other short trips in Sacramento.
SB 702 requires DGS to adopt bike sharing programs throughout the state in the model of the State Employee Bike Share program in Sacramento, including an online reservation system. To ensure the new bike sharing programs are located where they can have the biggest impact, the bill gives DGS the discretion to determine where it is feasible and realistic to create bike sharing programs.
The measure is being advanced with the support of several biking advocacy groups, including the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike), an organization with the stated mission to “enable more people to bicycle, for healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities for all” and triple the amount of bicycling in California by 2020.
"CalBike is thrilled to work with Senator Stern on SB 702 to promote access to bikes for state employees, and we're really pleased to see so many members out on the hottest day of the year to enjoy a ride," said Jeanie Ward-Waller, Policy Director for the CBC.
The measure is currently through the committee process and has thus far received unanimous support in the State Legislature.
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Contact: Morgan.Culbertson@sen.ca.gov Phone: (805) 822-9694
Henry Stern is Chair of the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments, and the first millennial elected to the California State Senate. Senator Stern also serves on four additional key committees: Energy, Utilities and Communications, Environmental Quality, Judiciary, and Natural Resources and Water. He represents nearly 1 million residents of the 27th Senate District, which includes Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, part of Santa Clarita and the following Los Angeles communities: Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills. http://sd27.senate.ca.gov.