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HB 178

Vehicle Laws - Stopping, Standing, or Parking in a Bike Lane or Bicycle Path - Prohibition

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michele Guyton

Maryland prohibits vehicles from stopping, standing, or parking in bike lanes and bicycle paths, establishing traffic violations to protect cyclist safety and infrastructure integrity.

Referred Judicial Proceedings
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Bill Summary · HB 178

Legislative bill overview

HB 178 prohibits vehicles from stopping, standing, or parking in bike lanes or bicycle paths in Maryland. The bill establishes this as a traffic violation with associated penalties, clarifying existing regulations around the use of dedicated bicycle infrastructure.

Why is this important

Bike lanes and paths are safety infrastructure designed to separate cyclists from vehicle traffic. Enforcing prohibitions on vehicle encroachment protects cyclists from collisions, improves traffic flow in dedicated lanes, and encourages broader adoption of cycling as transportation. Clear legal authority to cite drivers strengthens enforcement capabilities for local law enforcement.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement discretion: Police may apply penalties inconsistently across jurisdictions, or enforcement could become a minor revenue source rather than a safety measure
  • Practical accessibility: Drivers may argue the prohibition creates hardship in areas with limited alternative parking, particularly in dense urban neighborhoods
  • Definition clarity: The bill's amendments likely refined what constitutes a "bike lane or bicycle path," but edge cases (loading zones, emergency stops) may still generate disputes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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