Bill would let bicyclists proceed with pedestrian walk signal at intersections; safety advocates and counties support measure

Delegate Julie Policar introduced House Bill 4 22 on Feb. 6 to allow bicyclists who are stopped at a red traffic signal to proceed through signalized intersections at the same time as pedestrians when a parallel pedestrian "walk" signal is displayed. The change would apply to intersections that already have a leading pedestrian interval (LPI).

"This bill simply provides that same safety benefit of the leading pedestrian interval to the cyclists who are riding in the bike lane or on the road," Delegate Policar said, describing the bill as a modest change to make bicyclists more visible and reduce conflicts with turning vehicles.

Nigel Samara of Bike Maryland, who also chairs advocacy for the Baltimore Bicycling Club, told the committee LPIs give a three‑to‑seven second head start to pedestrians and that extending the same head start to bicyclists in bike lanes mirrors practices adopted in places such as Washington, D.C., New York City and California where similar laws have been reported to reduce serious injury crashes. Haley Peckett, deputy director for policy and planning at Montgomery County Department of Transportation, testified the change would improve cyclist visibility at intersections without delaying motor traffic and noted MDOT supported the bill.

Questions from committee members focused on the practical effect for pedestrians and drivers; sponsors clarified the bill applies when bicycles and pedestrians are moving in parallel (not crossing paths) and emphasized bicyclists must still yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Ending: Supporters asked for a favorable report, citing Vision Zero commitments and intersection safety improvements.