Proposed Pennsylvania Bill Encourages Parking-Protected Bike Lanes

Current state law prohibits cars from parking more than 12 inches away from a curb, but does not take into account bike lanes or pedestrian spaces placed between the curb and parking lanes.

1 minute read

February 2, 2025, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Parking protected bike lane in Riga, Latvia.

Parking protected bike lane in Riga, Latvia. | K / Adobe Stock

The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to advance a bill that would advance bike safety, according to a report by John Cole in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. “House Bill 291, sponsored by state Reps. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) and David Maloney (R-Berks), would allow municipalities to create parking-protected bicycle lanes between curbs and parked vehicles, allowing bicyclists to ride separated from vehicular traffic.“ 

As Cole explains, this would give local jurisdictions the ability to install pedestrian plazas and protected bike lanes. The bill would not mandate any new bike lanes, but would eliminate the current requirement that vehicles park within 12 inches of a curb.

According to Cole, “In the previous session, the bill was also unanimously approved by the House Transportation Committee and was passed by the full state House by a 198-5 vote, however it was not approved by the Senate.”

The committee also advanced House Bill 257, which would require driving tests to include questions about safe driving in work zones.

Monday, January 27, 2025 in Pennsylvania Capital-Star

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