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Committee narrows bicycle rules, delays start to allow outreach; municipalities' authority discussed
Summary
The conference committee agreed to make riding two‑abreast illegal in statute, prioritize education and outreach, and set an effective date of July 1, 2026, while staff and counsel clarified municipal authority on state vs. local roads and crosswalks.
A legislative conference committee approved language clarifying that riding bicycles more than two abreast is illegal on roadways and bicycle paths and agreed to prioritize education and outreach, setting an effective date of July 1, 2026 to allow time for training and materials.
The change aims to improve safety by codifying a limit on how many cyclists may ride side‑by‑side and by giving municipalities and agencies time to conduct public outreach so road users understand the rule before enforcement begins.
Staff noted the committee had already agreed on education and outreach as an important safety step, and members discussed moving the statute's effective date to allow materials and training to be produced. One member proposed July 2026 as the implementation date; another proposed July 1, 2026, and the committee settled on that date during the discussion documented in the transcript.
Counsel reviewed municipal authority and said Burlington's charter explicitly grants its board of public works commissioners control over traffic on city highways, and that under 24 V.S.A. §2291 municipalities more broadly have the authority to regulate vehicle operation and erect traffic signs. Counsel added that where state highways or state jurisdiction apply, the state traffic committee retains authority, so municipalities cannot unilaterally change traffic controls on state roads.
Members discussed crosswalks on state roads (for example in Hinesburg) and confirmed that municipalities may not change traffic controls on state‑owned roads or interstates without state action. The committee also discussed making the rule effective after one year in some drafts but ultimately agreed that a July 1, 2026 effective date combined with outreach was appropriate.
No formal roll‑call vote was recorded in the transcript; the conversation ended with staff and counsel to place the agreed effective date and outreach language into the draft for review.
