California Assembly Bill 43 (AB 43), signed into law in October 2021, requires Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) reports to consider the presence and safety of vulnerable roadway users, such as bicyclists and pedestrians, when establishing speed limits. AB 43 provides local jurisdictions with more flexibility to reduce speed limits along roadways that meet certain characteristics such as safety corridors and business activity districts.
The project went to Council in March of 2025 to establish a 20-mph zone in downtown, as shown in Figure 1, and update the E&TS, which includes recommendations to lower speed limits on some roadways outside of downtown. A 25-mph speed limit on 2nd and 3rd Streets through the downtown core has been retained, as these are principal arterials that carry high volumes of traffic through the area and do not meet some of the provisions of AB 43. The speed limit on 2nd Street between Hayes Street and 4th Street, which is currently 35 mph, has been reduced to 30 mph.
Speed limit signs in the downtown area have been updated. The speed limit signs in other roadways outside of downtown will be completed by the end of September.
view the City’s website on this assembly bill here: https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/assembly-bill-ab-43-strategy