Robert Prinz

Rebecca doesn’t bike.

If the Assemblymember had coordinated w bicycle advocacy orgs from the national, state, or regional levels before introducing their legislation, we would have been able to help clear up any confusion for them & collaborate on constructive traffic safety solutions. I have dozens of policy ideas.

“.5 PRODUCE HIGH-QUALITY BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE One of the most effective ways to reduce electric bicycle safety incidents is to provide riders with safe bicycling facilities that reduce potential conflict points between bicycles and other road users. The Safe Systems approach to road safety accepts that road users will inevitably make mistakes, so infrastructure needs to be designed so that those mistakes are not fatal. Strategies include physically separating pedestrians and bicyclists from cars and using road design to control speeds, since lower speeds reduce both the likelihood of a crash (road users have increased time to react) and the severity of crash outcomes. Caltrans could prioritize applying the safe systems approach to building and maintaining bicycle infrastructure on its own rights-of-way, which include many “main streets” that are key community transportation arteries for bicyclists. Although many safety improvements will require major changes to roadways, quick-build projects offer the potential to provide immediate safety benefits until funds are available for more permanent improvements. Legislators may wish to consider reintroducing a bill like AB 891, which failed to make it out of committee this legislative session, that would have directed Caltrans to create a “Quick- Build Pilot Program” to expedite low-cost bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Caltrans can also support and incentivize local cities and counties to build and maintain bicycle infrastructure by offering technical assistance and more grant funding through programs like Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program. In addition, the state can look for opportunities to streamline the environmental clearance process for bicycle/electric bicycle projects.”

The study is extremely helpful, especially in the acknowledgement about all the data which is not available at all. The safety findings synthesis starting on pg 123 should be a must-read for any legislators getting involved in these issues.

Also this recommendation should not be missed:

Indeed, per the Mineta study analysis of media reports ~70% of e-bike rider fatalities involved cars, compared to ~30% solo falls.

transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/defaul...

Also per the study the number of pedal bike crashes in CA was estimated at ~10X the number of e-device crashes.

“Pleasanton Weekly No criminal charges pursued in San Ramon crash that killed NFL coach Greg Knapp DA’s office determines driver’s inattention in causing collision with cyclist didn’t rise to criminal culpability”

With regard to an “accountability act”, can we do something about this?

If not for the driver then at least for the city of San Ramon in your district, which didn’t implement its 2018 bike plan recommendation for a protected bikeway where Greg was killed in 2021, nor have they since.

Correction: As per the data in the attached table I should have written “50% were pedal bikes & 43% unknown.”

The same point applies.

Per your comment in the video: “I should be able to not worry about an e-bike going 60 miles per hour.”

What you are describing is an electric motorcycle or other out-of-class device, not e-bikes which are limited to 20 mph unassisted or 28 mph w pedal assist. You are targeting the wrong thing.

The numbers I cited above don’t even include the half across the border in Concord, which is just as bad.

Concord had an opportunity to act on this with a paving project in 2023, designed a safety upgrade, but then passed on implementing it.

If you want to do something for traffic safety, then focus on fixing the massive roads, ridiculous speed limits, and egregious lack of high quality, protected bikeway infrastructure throughout your district.

Of the 12 Walnut Creek fatalities, 8 occurred on just one road: Ygnacio Valley.

Advocates who have been fighting for solutions to this crisis for many years can not take your legislation seriously when there is no action on the PRIMARY traffic safety issues in your district, all involving CARS.

In Walnut Creek alone there have been at least 12 people killed in crashes since 2021. This included 5 pedestrians & 6 drivers, 3 of whom were teen drivers killed in solo crashes in just 2024-2025.

Why aren’t you responding to THIS crisis!!!

As far as I know there haven’t been any e-bike rider fatalities in your Assembly District 16 to date.

There have however been MANY pedal bike riders killed in AD16. I continue to struggle to get local staff & electeds to follow up on these tragedies, even just by implementing their own bike plans.

And of that 7% it’s not known how many were actually e-bikes vs other e-devices, b/c that data isn’t being tracked.

The Mineta study commissioned by the CA legislature to inform policy proposals included 15 recommendations.

Your AB1942 doesn’t follow ANY of them.

transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/defaul...

“Since 2023, there have been nearly twice as many e-bike fatalities as regular bike fatalities”

This is exceptionally inaccurate. What data are you referencing!?

FARS data from the NHTSA indicates that e-devices accounted for 7% of fatalities in 2022-2023. 47% were pedal bikes & 40% unknown.

So a lot of delay for no reason or benefit. But that’s how the railroads roll.

Well, the other option is for OakDOT to wait too long then lose the grant funding, in which case UPRR gets nothing. My guess is they’re bluffing as long as they can in case Oakland gives in, which they won’t, after which the project will move forward.

I’m sure UPRR will have a lot of thoughts about the design details, but I can’t see them blocking it. The project is wholly to their benefit & the railroads have been pushing for removing cars from Embarcadero for a long time.

I think the railroad would actually love to get more cars off Embarcadero, plus the midblock fencing & crossing upgrades. OakDOT has a lot of grant money tied to the Embarcadero project w looming deadlines. So IMO it’s likely to move forward soon.

The produce market impacts are much worse on 2nd St. The only options IMO are 3rd or 4th.

I would feel better about the Line 12 rerouting to 3rd if Oakland brought back the free B bus, still serving JLS directly via Broadway.

I think the main issue is that the Embarcadero project is going to remove eastbound vehicle access there entirely, right? So the Line 12 going to need to be routed somewhere else no matter what.

Please add your comments to the survey, especially about the dangers of painted bike lanes

Painted bike lanes on 2nd are dangerous door-zone lanes used more for double parking, and are not appropriate for a transit hub. OakDOT should follow the bike plan and install protected bike lanes on 3rd

I experienced the multi vs single lane driver responsibility divide today in Berkeley at MLK/Prince, where road construction took the street to 1 lane northbound but 2 southbound. As I approached the crosswalk many southbound drivers sailed past, but the very 1st northbound driver saw me & yielded.

But also, driving the speed limit on Broadway is fine even if everyone else is going faster. Stop justifying your speeding.

The inability of many drivers to take their responsibilities behind the wheel seriously exacerbates the dangers enabled by the built environment.

This quote displays why single lane road diets are so beneficial for safety.

On multi-lane roads, many people feel obligated to match the behavior of the worst drivers around them.

But on single-lane roads people are forced to think for themselves & the best/safest driver sets the standard.

Yeah the Adeline designs were bad, and not actually protected intersections since they don’t help to support bike left turns.

Emeryville is planning to follow up w a rebuild & full protected bikeway upgrade.

Thank you!

Actually 9k and up might be more helpful, since that would include Rodeo and Blackhawk.

Yeah 10k or more population covers the most significant jurisdictions. There are a lot of small unincorporated areas in Contra Costa!

Very interesting and helpful thanks!

If there is similar, easily accessible data for Contra Costa County I'd love to see it.