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45' Buses with Bike Racks

Note: This fact sheet is subject to revision. Please revisit this web site for updates.

INTRODUCTION

What is the purpose of this fact sheet? This fact sheet discusses Assembly Bill 1409, which concerns front-mounted bicycle racks on 45-foot buses.

What is a bus? California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 233 defines "bus" as: "(a) …any vehicle… …designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than 15 persons including the driver." Or, "(b) A vehicle designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than 10 persons, including the driver, which is used to transport persons for compensation or profit, or is used by any nonprofit organization or group..." Tour buses are also commonly referred to as "coaches," "motorcoaches," and "motor carriers of passengers." This fact sheet deals with buses operating as "passenger transportation vehicles" as defined by CVC 464.

What does AB 1409 accomplish? AB 1409 allows buses up to 45 feet in length to be equipped with a folding device attached to the front body of the bus that is designed and used exclusively for transporting bicycles. The device may not extend more than 36 inches from the front body, and the handlebars of the bicycle may not extend more than 42 inches from the front body. The total length of the bus, including the bicycle device, may not exceed 48.5 feet.

Where can 45-foot buses with bicycle racks travel? Buses over 40 feet, up to 45 feet, in length may travel anywhere on the Motorcoach & Motorhome Network. This network includes the national network, terminal access routes (collectively called the STAA Network), service access routes (one-mile), California legal routes and advisory routes for kingpin-to-rear-axle (KPRA) of 38, 36, 34, and 32 feet. (For complete information see the Motorcoach & Motorhome Network map and Restricted Routes list.) Note: The LCV Freeze of 1991 does not apply to buses.

Where else can 45-foot buses with bicycle racks travel? Under AB 1409, a Route Review Committee must review and approve any additional routes a public agency proposes to operate these buses with bike racks.

Who is on the Route Review Committee? The Committee shall include one member from the public agency requesting the routes, a traffic engineer representing the public agency that has jurisdiction over the largest proportional share of routes, and a member representing the bus drivers' labor organization. The Committee shall be selected no more than 30 days after receipt of a local agency's proposal to equip a 45-foot bus with a front-mounted bicycle rack.

What is the status of AB 1409? AB 1409 passed the Senate and Assembly, was chaptered, and was enacted January 1, 2004.


CONTACTS

Caltrans Legal Truck Size & Weight Work Group
Casey Robb
Manuel Fonseca
General number (916) 654-5741
E-mail: Truck Size & Weight Unit.

Return to the Caltrans "Office of Truck Services " page.

Revised 5/2/08.