2024 Legislative Session
Advocating for bike-friendly Utah policies.
Bike Utah’s 2024 Legislative Priorities
HB 449
Pedestrian Safety and Facilities Act Modifications
Summary
This bill enhances safety guidelines, unlocks funding for pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, and ensures streets are designed with pedestrians and cyclists in mind, which will improve safety and reduce roadway fatalities.
In 2022, 69 pedestrians and cyclsists were hit and killed on Utah roads.
Safety for vulnerable road users has become a major concern over the past decade. These fatalities are indicative of a transportation system that prioritizes vehicles over the lives of vulnerable Utahns.
This updated language is more comprehensive, allowing for greater flexibility when designing safe streets. Passage of this bill will ensure safer roads and more proactive planning for pedestrians and cyclists across the state.
The Problem:
Current law—the Pedestrian Safety and Facilities Act (UCA §72-8)—fails to provide high levels of comfort and safety.
The Solution:
This legislation makes three important improvements to current law:
Expands the list of safety improvements considered for pedestrians and cyclists
Enables the use of B&C funds for bicyclist safety devices (in addition to pedestrian devices)
Requires bicyclist safety be considered in street design (in addition to pedestrian safety)
Sponsor: Rep. Nelson Abbott, R-Orem
House Bill # TBD
E-bike Safety Study
Summary
This bill directs UDOT to study how e-bikes impact safety and mobility within the transportation system. This bill seeks to support e-bike riders while ensuring high levels of safety for pedetrians and other road/trail users.
E-bikes offer significant benefits to active transportation as they enable more individuals to cycle longer distances with less effort. E-bikes reduce barriers to cycling, promoting a healthier lifestyle and reducing our reliance on cars.
| Study Topics | Expected Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Factors and circumstances related to e-bike crashes | Insight into the factors contributing to e-bike crashes |
| Functionality and safety impacts of the three e-bike classifications | Insight into how different e-bike classes may have different safety impacts |
| Current state/local policies related to e-bikes, cyclist and driver training, and bike infrastructure | Evaluation of existing e-bike policies, training requirements, and bike infrastructure design standards |
| Related policies from other states and industry stakeholders | Insights from other state policies, current and planned practices in the e-bike industry |
| Best practices to promote safe use of e-bikes | Identification of policies to improve e-bike safety |
| Data on crashes, injuries, and fatalities related to e-bikes | Identification of trends in e-bike crashes, injuries, and fatalities |
The Problem:
While e-bikes offer numerous advantages, safety concerns have emerged due to their higher speeds, particularly on shared trails or paths where conflicts with pedestrians can arise.
The Solution:
This study seeks to better understand the extent of these safety concerns and how to address them through policy.
Sponsor: Rep. Jeffrey Stenquist, R-Draper
House Bill # TBD
Pedestrian Safety Amendments
Summary
This bill enhances state guidelines for crosswalks to require leading pedestrian intervals in places with high pedestrian traffic. This policy gives pedestrians a 3-10 second head start when crossing, which will reinforce pedestrian priority, increase visibility, and ultimately reduce vehicle-pedestrian collisions in crosswalks.
Want to sponsor a bill with us?
Bike Utah is dedicated to fostering systemic change through impactful policy initiatives that span the entire state. Our collaboration with policymakers, community members, and other groups involves the meticulous development of thoughtful and enduring policies aimed at establishing safer environments for cyclists throughout Utah.
Planning & Policy Specialist
Cameron Carter
cameron@bikeutah.org
801-860-2355
Meet Cameron!
Cameron has worked at Bike Utah for 1.5 years. His work involves active transportation planning, legislative research, policy development, and government affairs. Before joining Bike Utah, he spent 2 years as a planning intern with the Utah Community Development Office, focused on rural planning projects with small towns and regional governments. He graduated in 2023 with master’s degrees in City & Metropolitan Planning and Public Policy from the University of Utah.
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