Cheers to the Legislature! The 2015 Legislative Session is finally over and HB-280 was signed by the Governor last week. This law clarifies what is and is not acceptable for riding a bicycle, and provides some clarification for sharing the road with motor vehicles.

Here’s what HB-280 does starting October 1, 2015:

• removes ‘mopeds’ from the bicycle definition;
• creates a definition for an electric bicycle;
• clarifies that drivers can cross the yellow line when passing a bicyclist (under specific conditions);
• removes the requirement for bicyclists to ride ‘as far to the right as practicable’ and indicates that bicyclists ride in the traffic lane or ‘as far to the right as they deem is safe’
• allows for head lamps at night as an alternative to a mounted light
• allows for reflective clothing or gear in place of mounted reflectors
• eliminates the recommendation for a six-foot flag on every bicycle

Read the full text of the HB 280 here.

While this was the only bicycle-related bill to pass the Legislature this session, this is a strong start and we applaud Jeff Essman for drafting this bill and getting it passed!