HB 290 Utah House · 2025 General Session

Bicycle Lane Safety Amendments

HB 290 updates Utah's bicycle lane regulations by clarifying rules for motor vehicle use and prohibiting obstructions. The bill defines key terms like "bicycle lane" (a designated road section for bicycles, excluding shared lanes) and specifies that motor vehicles may only enter these lanes under limited circumstances. It also explicitly prohibits parking, blocking, or otherwise obstructing bicycle lanes with vehicles or objects. This directly affects bicyclists, drivers, and local highway authorities responsible for lane markings and enforcement. The changes aim to improve safety for cyclists by creating clearer, more enforceable rules on roadways.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Signed Mar 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 27, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Utah traffic laws to better define bicycle lanes and clarify when motor vehicles can use them. It adds specific definitions for various vehicle types including electric assisted bicycles and motor assisted scooters, and establishes clearer rules about when cars may enter bicycle lanes for turning or emergencies.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of bicycle lane protections by explicitly including electric assisted bicycles and motor assisted scooters in the definition of bicycle lanes, and clarifies exceptions for motor vehicles entering these lanes.
DEFINITION

Added new definitions for electric assisted bicycles (Classes 1, 2, and 3), motor assisted scooters, and other mobility devices to clarify which vehicles are considered bicycles under the law.

Updated the bicycle lane definition to explicitly include electric assisted bicycles and motor assisted scooters, ensuring these vehicles have the same lane protections as traditional bicycles.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific conditions under which motor vehicles may enter bicycle lanes, including for turning, emergency response, and municipal services, with a requirement to yield to bicycle traffic.

Established new requirements for highway authorities when obstructing bicycle lanes for maintenance, requiring them to use alternative spaces, minimize obstruction, and provide alternate routes for cyclists.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that driving in a bicycle lane is prohibited except for specific exceptions, making it easier to enforce bicycle lane safety rules.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
36
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 27, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Feb 28, 2025
Legislature · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
legislature
Feb 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Feb 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
lower
Jan 30, 2025
Committee
House/ to standing committee
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors