Transportation (Bicycle Infrastructure)

Idaho bill H 508 amends highway laws to clarify when bicycle and pedestrian facilities can be included in road projects. The bill specifies that such improvements may only be added as a secondary benefit to projects primarily designed for motor vehicles, or when funded by federal grants, or to enhance safety near schools/parks. It also requires highway projects to maintain minimum 50-foot right-of-way widths and prohibits reducing non-residential road widths except for federal requirements. These changes affect state transportation planning and project design under Idaho Code sections 40-605 and 40-117.

This Idaho bill (H 500) updates traffic laws to explicitly include human-powered vehicles, bicycles, and electric-assisted bicycles under existing motor vehicle regulations. It requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid collisions with these vehicles and gives riders the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers (except where impractical). Key provisions ban riding without a permanent seat, limit passenger capacity to the vehicle's design, and allow secure child carriers. The changes apply to all riders of these vehicles and take effect July 1, 2026.