As we told you back in February, PennDOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Roy Gothie offered an agenda this year that would make it easier for cities to install parking-protected bike lanes.
One interpretation of the PA Motor Vehicle Code language is that all motor vehicles park no more than 12 inches away from the street curbline. For the new parking protected bike lanes that will be installed over the next few years, moving parked cars away from the curbline will be required, and amending the wording of the PA Motor Vehicle Code language will allow the City and PennDOT to install those facilities seamlessly.
The change in the motor vehicle code would also enable PennDOT to design and install parking protected bicycle lanes on state roads.
Members of the Bicycle Coalition are currently meeting with state representatives around the state, promoting this to make it become law this year.
As we get closer to the final budget, we will update our readers more on this issue and let you know what you can do to make sure the Pennsylvania legislature passes this and makes it easier for cities to install new, safer, bike lanes.