Committee advances statewide ban on parking or driving in bike lanes with exceptions for essential services

The House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to recommend House Bill 290, which would establish a statewide standard prohibiting stopping, parking or driving in designated bike lanes except in narrowly defined situations.

Sponsor Representative Mauga said the bill aims to keep bike lanes clear so cyclists are not forced into vehicle lanes, citing studies that show properly maintained bike lanes reduce crashes. He said the measure was drafted with input from Bike Utah, the Wasatch Front Regional Council and the League of Cities and Towns and creates a single statewide standard while allowing limited, specified exceptions such as turning, authorized emergency vehicles, snow‑removal operations and postal service activity.

Committee members asked about enforcement and penalties. The sponsor and witnesses described the violation as a traffic infraction; a public commenter said the fine would be comparable to other traffic violations. Representatives who ride bicycles in the district supported the bill as a practical safety step.

UDOT stated a neutral position but said staff worked with the sponsor and that one requested change — an express exception for snowplow operations clearing bike lanes — was added. The Wasatch Front Regional Council, a metropolitan planning organization, and Bike Utah testified in support, saying clear bike lanes improve safety and encourage multimodal transportation.

Representative Dominguez moved the favorable recommendation; the committee approved the bill unanimously. The committee record shows several technical questions about which vehicles qualify for exceptions and how local governments would implement traffic‑management plans when lanes must be temporarily closed for maintenance.