Bicycle-Law.com

A website devoted to Bicycle Law!

Contact: jpartridge@bicycle-law.com

States that have laws pending that could be very bad for bicyclists.

  • MONTANA
    July 20, 2001 - Sources advise this bill was "killed"
      In response to local pressure from a Glendive resident, Montana State Representative Jeff Pattison drew up House Bill 212, that would require Montana bicyclists riding outside of town to travel against traffic. [Background: The Glendive resident had lost her husband to a rural bike crash when an overtaking motorist ran him down. Both were going into the afternoon sun.]

      A number of Montana bicycle advocates rose up against the bill and worked to get it defeated. Bicyclists from other states also heard about the bill and chipped in their 2-cents worth. The bill was introduced and during the subsequent committee hearing, bicyclists spoke at length against the bill in committee. There was little support for the bill, either from those testifying or from those on the committee. Aside: committee members were contacted by many bicyclists and were aware that it was a hot issue. The bill was killed in committee and never made it to the House floor.

      -- J John Williams
      Bicycle Forum & CenterLines
      National Center for Bicycling & Walking

    Among other things, this anti-cycling bill would have required cyclists to ride FACING traffic. Copy of MT-HB212 as of 1/8/01

  • TEXAS
    Anti-cycling bill currently pending in Texas. It would make it illegal to ride two abreast.
    Bikers Win Texas Showdown March 1, 2001
    Copy of TX-SB238 as of 1/18/01
    Link to current status of proposed law
    A link to the Texas Bicycle Coalition's website, which reports on their efforts to combat this proposed legislation.
    Action Alert from League of American Bicyclists

  • NEW ORLEANS
    An ordinance in Tangipahoa Parish, LA that is also fairly anti-cyclist
    Text of Tangipahoa Ordinance 98-13
    Article written by Nathan Gifford of the LAB about the ordinance

Bicycle advocates from these states, and from around the country, have been mobilized to oppose these bills. Of course, if it can't hurt to write to legislators in these states if, for example, someone was planning a cycling trip to Montana but believe that passage of this bill would be a deterrent.

Pending Legislation

  • FEDERAL
    On 3/28, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mark Foley (R-FL) introduced legislation that would allow employees who bike to work the same financial incentives as car-poolers and public transit users. The Bike Commuter Act, would extend the Transportation Fringe Benefit of the tax code, which currently provides a tax-exempt benefit of $175 for employees participating in qualified parking plans or $65 for transit, car-pool, and van-pool expenses, to bicyclists who chose to bike to work. For more information on the bill, see http://www.house.gov/blumenauer

  • MARYLAND
    Three bills are scheduled for hearings in the Maryland General Assembly.
    • HB 1250 - Pedestrians and Bicycle Riders with Disabilities
      Hearing FEBRUARY 28 1:00 p.m. - Commerce and Government Matters Committee
    • SB 421 - Pedestrians and Bicycle Riders with Disabilities
      Hearing FEBRUARY 28 1:30 p.m. - Budget and Taxation Committee
    • HB 1128 - Bicycle Riders and Pedestrians - Transportation Planning and Safety
      Hearing MARCH 13 1:00 p.m. - Commerce and Government Matters Committee
    Details and copies of the bills are at: http://mlis.state.md.us/2001rs/subjects/bicycles.htm

  • UTAH
    A bill pending in Utah. My understanding is that it is not "bad" or "anti-cycling"
    Text of HB 15
    As of January 16, 2001, the Transportation Committee Chaired by Mr. Joseph G. Murray recommended the bill for passage.

  • COLORADO
    08/09/2002 - This bill died in committee many months ago. There is talk of creating a new bill, but nothing official yet. -- A proposed bill out of Colorado which affects bicyclists. Among other things, it permits turn signals to be made with the right hand.
    Bike Safety Bill Text as of 1/01

  • OHIO
    The Ohio Bicycle Federation has proposed reforms for Ohio law
    Link to OBF Proposal

Design of bike lanes and paths

This doesn't deal directly with bicyclists on the roads but rather sets certain standards for the design of bike lanes and paths.

Other useful links

Page revised 08/09/2002

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