PA Bicyclists Could Face Significant Traffic Rule Changes

PENNSYLVANIA —Bicyclists would enjoy far more freedom on the roads under legislation being proposed by a state legislator.

State Sen. Jarret Coleman, a Bucks County Republican, wants to alter the Pennsylvania vehicle code that requires bicyclists to follow standard vehicle laws.

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Currently, bicyclists must abide by stop signs, coming to a complete stop, and wait for green traffic lights before proceeding through an intersection.

"This treatment actually creates dangers for bicyclists and pedestrians as the bicyclists focus on clipping in and out of pedals and integrating into faster motor vehicle traffic from a full stop, rather than keeping their heads up and scanning for traffic and pedestrians," Coleman stated in a memo to colleagues.

Under legislation Coleman plans to introduce, Pennsylvania would join 14 other states in relaxing vehicle code regulations for bicyclists.

Coleman's bill would amend the vehicle code so that:

• A bicyclist may treat a stop sign as a yield sign after slowing down and determining it is safe to do so.
• A bicyclist may proceed with caution through an intersection with a red traffic-control signal after stopping and yielding the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic or make a right turn without stopping after slowing and determining it is safe to do so.

In seeking support for the impending bill, Coleman cited a 2023 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that noted there was a significant reduction in bicycle-related traffic crashes and injuries seen by the states that already have adopted these standards.

"Furthermore, the NHTS identified other benefits, including decriminalizing a common riding behavior and possibly encouraging more ridership," Coleman stated.