AB 2859: Traffic-actuated signals: bicycles.

Existing law includes among traffic control devices, a traffic-actuated signal that displays one or more of its indications in response to the presence of traffic by mechanical, visual, electrical, or other means, and requires, upon the first placement of a traffic-actuated signal or replacement of the loop detector of a traffic-actuated signal, that the signal be installed and maintained, to the extent feasible and in conformance with professional engineering practices, so as to detect lawful bicycle traffic on the roadway. Existing law requires a driver facing a steady circular red signal alone or a stead red arrow signal to stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and to remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown, except as specified. A violation of these provisions is a crime.

This bill would authorize the operator of a bicycle, after coming to a complete stop at a steady red circular traffic-actuated signal or steady red arrow traffic-actuated signal, if a vehicle has not approached or is not approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, as defined. The bill would prohibit the operator of a bicycle from asserting as a defense that they proceeded under the belief that the signal was traffic actuated, if it was not or that the traffic-actuated signal was inoperative due to the size of the bicycle, if it was not.