State lawmakers pass bike lane protection bill

Pennsylvania lawmakers have passed a bill meant to protect bicyclists.

Under current law, vehicles must park within 12 inches of a curb. The bill that passed in the State House on Monday allows vehicles to park farther away from these curbs, creating a protected bike lane between a curb and a parked car.

The legislation is known as Susan’s and Emily’s law. It honors, in part, Susan Hicks, a Pitt faculty member who was hit from behind and killed at the corner of Forbes and Bigelow while riding her bike in 2015.

The measure is supported by PennDOT’s Pedalcycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, BikePGH and the Pennsylvania Municipal League.

The bill still needs to pass the State Senate.

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