Powered by Member support, the Bicycle Coalition ended 2024 with several legislative victories including passing the ‘Get Out the Bike Lane’ bill, Authorizing Speed Cameras on Broad St. and Route 13, a landmark investment in the Circuit Trails Network, and two short term bandaids to save SEPTA operating funding until the next budget season.
As we begin 2025, there is great momentum in the City, the greater Philadelphia region, and statewide to continue our efforts to build an active transportation network, save lives, and create an efficient transit system. We are focusing our advocacy efforts in the following key areas:
Pennsylvania Priorities
Legalize Parking Protected Bike Lanes– HB 291
After an encouraging legislative session in 2023-2024, we have built a lot of name recognition for Susan and Emily’s law that would allow parking protected bike lanes on state roads. Our bill ended the session one step away from the Governor’s desk and we are very much looking forward to kicking off this year with a renewed focus on building a robust coalition of groups and individuals from all across the commonwealth.
Stay tuned for a campaign kick-off call with our friends at BikePGH.
Pass Jay-Alert Legislation
Jayanna Powell’s memory lives on through the tireless advocacy of her mother and aunt, Ayeshia Poole and Jasmine Hoffman. They spent much of last year meeting with key legislators across the aisle and building support for Jay-Alert. This year we’re focused on working with PennDOT, the Dept. of State, the PA State Police, and Senator A. Williams and Representative Cephas who will lead the legislative work to create a bill that would set Jay-Alert up for successful implementation.
Fund Public Transit
Every county in PA receives funding for public transportation whether that’s rail, buses or ride on demand services. With the lack of COVID funding SEPTA and agencies all across the state are left without adequate funding. Our program, Transit Forward Philadelphia, along with the Transit for All PA! Coalition made significant steps toward a new dedicated funding stream in 2024. The Governor allocated a one time amount in June and then flexed highway funds in order to maintain current services and fares until the next budget cycle. Transit 4 All PA! is kicking off budget season with a watch party of the Governor’s address on February 4th. It’s time to not only save SEPTA but the rest of public transportation across the commonwealth!
Philadelphia City Priorities
Vision Zero
With the $1.25m decrease in Vision Zero funding in Mayor Parker’s FY25 budget, re-establishing adequate Vision Zero funding will continue to be our main city priority. We hope to see the FY26 budget not only bring us back to FY24 levels but see funding increased.
Concrete Protection & Bike Lane Network Growth
We look forward to developing a final design for Spruce and Pine Streets that includes concrete separation and to growing the existing high quality bike lane network throughout the entire city.
Stay tuned for volunteer opportunities regarding the budget hearings in April!
New Jersey Priorities
Implementation of the Target Zero Commission
We plan on participating as much as possible in the new Target Zero Commission, that was established by a bill signed into law by Governor Murphy. The first Target Zero Commission is tentatively scheduled for March with a requirement to submit a Target Zero Action plan by the end of the year.
Reasonable E-Bike/E-Scooter Regulation
In 2024 the Bicycle Coalition and our partner organizations in New Jersey successfully convinced the legislature to withdraw a bill that would have required insurance and registration requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters. However, the bill is still listed for the rest of the session and we will continue to monitor it.
A new bill S3949 redefines the term “pedestrian” to include operators of low-speed e-bikes and e-scooters for eligibility for personal injury protection benefits under automobile insurance policies. Currently, only individuals classified as “pedestrians” are eligible for these benefits if injured in a motor vehicle accident. The existing definition of “pedestrian” excludes anyone operating a vehicle powered by anything other than muscular force.
The bill responds to a recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision that ruled operators of low-speed electric scooters do not qualify as “pedestrians” and are, thus, ineligible for personal injury protection benefits. Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to include low-speed electric bicycles and scooters in crash report requirements.
Advancing the Circuit Trails Network
We don’t just want more trails in our region–we demand more accessible, safe, convenient ways to walk and bike to the places we need to go, and we want 500 completed miles of the Circuit by the end of 2025. Last year, members of the Circuit Trails Coalition called on residents across the Southeastern Pennsylvania area to demonstrate their support to prioritize Carbon Reduction Program funding for several major trail corridors (Spring Garden Street Greenway, Cross County Trail, Chester Valley Trail, and Route 291 Trail/East Coast Greenway). This major funding win for the Circuit Trails in Pennsylvania has spurred momentum toward advancing the priority Circuit Trails in New Jersey.
Stay tuned for ways to voice your support to advance the trail network!
Member support makes all of this possible – stay tuned for action alerts related to these crucial pieces of legislation, sign up for our newsletter to keep abreast of the latest developments, and keep the momentum going with a donation.