Subcommittee re‑approves bill allowing bicycles and similar devices to use pedestrian interval in crosswalks

House Bill 177 would let people traveling on bicycles, play vehicles and unicycles enter an intersection during a leading pedestrian interval (the walk signal that sometimes precedes the green light) and proceed in the crosswalk while yielding to pedestrians.

Policy analyst Patrick Tracy noted the committee passed the bill in 2025 and that it remained in the same posture. Some members expressed safety concerns — for example, Delegate Ziegler said the practice makes her "nervous" because turning cars sometimes fail to yield or slow for pedestrians. Others, including the sponsor and members who passed the bill previously, emphasized pedestrian safety benefits and the goal of human‑centered mobility.

Patrick Tracy clarified how the change works in practice: when a leading pedestrian interval gives pedestrians the initial crossing, bicycles traveling in the roadway could proceed into the intersection with the walk signal (not by turning) because no opposing traffic would be moving. Members asked jurisdictional questions (whether bikes may use sidewalks depends on local law) and discussed local variation.

The subcommittee moved, seconded and passed HB177 by voice vote; members noted the bill had already been approved in committee the previous year.