Interregional transportation strategic plan: bicycle highways.

Assembly Member Bennett's proposal to incorporate bicycle highways into California's interregional transportation planning would require the Department of Transportation to assess potential bicycle routes within strategic corridors as part of the state's Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan (ITSP). The assessment mandate applies when feasible and aligns with existing transportation planning frameworks.

The bill builds upon current transportation planning processes, which require the Department of Transportation to develop and submit an ITSP to the California Transportation Commission. This plan guides the state's interregional transportation improvement program and regional transportation planning. Under existing law, the ITSP must promote an efficient, interconnected transportation system while maintaining consistency with the broader California Transportation Plan.

The Department of Transportation would integrate this new bicycle highway assessment into its established strategic planning cycle, which includes both short-term and long-term transportation priorities. While the bill creates additional planning requirements for the department, it does not require new appropriations or establish standalone enforcement mechanisms. The assessment process would operate within existing administrative structures and planning timelines.