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House Transportation Committee advances bill letting cities install pedestrian plazas and parking-protected bike lanes
Summary
The House Transportation Committee reported House Bill 291 as committed after members heard a summary that the measure would allow vehicles to park next to the buffer of pedestrian plazas and parking-protected bicycle lanes and would clarify school-bus stopping rules.
Chairman Ed Nielsen of the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee on Wednesday said the committee reported House Bill 291 as committed after a staff summary and brief remarks urging support.
The bill, introduced by Representative Mary Jo Daley and Representative David Maloney, would allow local authorities to install pedestrian plazas and parking-protected bicycle lanes and permit vehicles to park ‘‘within 12 inches of the buffer area of a pedestrian plaza or bicycle lane,’’ according to the committee staff summary. The measure also clarifies that a school bus or school vehicle may ‘‘stop or stand as close as practical to the curb or shoulder when receiving or discharging students.’’
Why it matters: Supporters told the committee the bill would give municipalities the authority to create protected bike lanes and pedestrian plazas without mandating their installation. Chairman Ed Nielsen framed the bill as a safety measure, saying it could save lives: "This legislation passed this house 4 times. I can't imagine the amount of lives that we've cost by not having this on the second floor. Our life could have been saved if this was a protected bike lane. We could save lives," he said.
Committee discussion and background: Committee staff informed members that under current law vehicles must park within 12 inches of a curb and that the existing rule ‘‘does not take pedestrian plazas or bicycle lanes into consideration.’’ The staff summary noted the bill had unanimous committee approval in the last session and carried in the full House by a 198–5 vote last session. Committee members recorded no opposition and no amendments were filed.
Action taken: After the summary and member remarks, the committee chair asked for negative votes; none were recorded and the committee reported House Bill 291 as committed.
Context and next steps: The bill leaves installation decisions to local authorities rather than imposing a statewide mandate. The transcript did not record a roll-call vote in committee; committee action was recorded as "reported as committed." The bill will proceed through the legislative process as directed by House rules.
