Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Legislation authorizing parking-protected bike lanes passes House <

Legislation authorizing parking-protected bike lanes passes House

On Monday, the House approved bipartisan legislation ( H.B. 291) that would give local authorities the option of installing parking-protected bicycle lanes between the curb and parking lanes on roadways under their jurisdiction.

“My priority as transportation chair is to ensure the safety and well-being of anyone who uses Pennsylvania roads,” Neilson said. “We worked hard during the last legislative session to pass legislation that protects children in school zones, enforcing speeding violations through work zones and we strengthened our distracted driving laws.”

Neilson said he felt compelled to make another push for this legislation after last summer’s tragic and preventable death of Dr. Barbara Friedes, a pediatrician with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who was tragically struck and killed while riding her bicycle in an unprotected bike lane in Philadelphia.

“We all have people we care deeply about; I have five kids myself and three grandkids; the thought of having to bury one of them before their time is devastating itself but knowing it could have been prevented with a protected bike lane would amplify that grief,” he said.

Neilson thanked his colleagues, state Reps. Mary Jo Daley and David Maloney, for introducing and championing H.B. 291.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.