New law in Pennsylvania will help protect vulnerable road users

A new law in the US state of Pennsylvania will help boost safety for cyclists. This sets rules for Pennsylvania drivers to follow when encountering a cyclist. Drivers now have to leave a 1.22m space when overtaking cyclists. To achieve this, drivers may have to cross the centre line when passing a bicycle on the left, but only when opposing traffic allows. Drivers attempting to turn left must also yield the right of way to bicycle riders travelling in the opposite direction. The new law also calls for bicyc
April 3, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A new law in the US state of Pennsylvania will help boost safety for cyclists. This sets rules for Pennsylvania drivers to follow when encountering a cyclist. Drivers now have to leave a 1.22m space when overtaking cyclists. To achieve this, drivers may have to cross the centre line when passing a bicycle on the left, but only when opposing traffic allows. Drivers attempting to turn left must also yield the right of way to bicycle riders traveling in the opposite direction.

The new law also calls for bicycle riders to avoid impeding the normal flow of traffic. When there is only one travel lane, cyclists may use any portion of the lane to avoid hazards on the roadway, including maintaining a safe distance from stopped and parked cars. Cyclists and motorists should obey all traffic signs and signals. 2535 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation also recommends bicyclists always ride predictably and provide signals before proceeding.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Mandatory US minimum retroreflectivity
    November 14, 2022
    The US Federal Highway Administration announced the standards required in maintaining minimum levels of retroreflectivity for pavement markings.
    Read More
  • Work begins on Stockholm’s new bypass
    August 22, 2016
    The first tunnels are being excavated for the huge bypass tunnel in Sweden’s capital Stockholm – Adrian Greeman writes. After years of preparation and design, blasting and rock moving for Sweden's largest infrastructure project began south of the city this year. It sets in train a decade-long project that will create a new half-ring dual three-lane motorway for the city, 20km long. With most of it deep underground, it will also be one of Europe's largest ever road tunnels. The scheme is aimed at transformin
    Read More
  • Florida highway rebuild project
    May 2, 2018
    Rebuilding a congested stretch of highway in Florida will cut congestion and boost safety for commuters - Mike Woof writes. Florida’s 214km-long I-4 highway provides a key transport route between Tampa and Daytona Beach, but has an unenviable reputation for both congestion and safety, with frequent delays due to heavy traffic as well as crashes. The stretch running through the city of Orlando is particularly prone to jams at peak periods, with huge traffic volumes resulting in vehicles having to slow to a c
    Read More
  • Fast, safe and sustainable transport for Johannesburg
    February 14, 2012
    GTZ highlights a pioneering scheme illustrating the potential of Bus Rapid Transit systems as a viable approach to alleviate the traffic and social problems faced by large cities worldwide
    Read More

Highlighted Content