House Bill 24-0002

SENATE:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

• Howard Ballard

• Jamie Barnes

• Alfred Brewer

• Mandy Richardson

• Chelsea Mendoza

The purpose of this bill is to repeal Statute 2.08.37, which regulates the operation of bicycles on roadways and imposes restrictions on bicyclists' movements in relation to traffic flow. The repeal is necessary to align bicycle operation with current roadway safety practices and to eliminate conflicting or outdated regulations.

Statute 2.08.37 establishes that bicyclists are required to follow specific rules when riding on public roadways. These rules include traveling on the opposite side of the road in the direction of traffic, except in specific circumstances, such as making legal left turns or avoiding road construction. This statute, however, may be inconsistent with best practices for bicycle safety and modern traffic management systems, which prioritize riding with the flow of traffic on the right side of the road.

Any penalties or infractions previously associated with violations of Statute 2.08.37 will no longer apply once the repeal is in effect.

This bill aims to simplify and update state traffic laws to ensure that bicyclists are held to standards consistent with modern traffic flow and safety regulations. By repealing Statute 2.08.37, the state will remove potential confusion or legal obstacles for both bicyclists and law enforcement.

SECTION 5. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.

Bill Text