Transportation (Bicycle Infrastructure)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 31, 2024

LC 3259: Require bicycles to go opposite the flow of traffic

This bill requires cyclists riding on public roads to travel in the opposite direction of traffic unless they are escorted by a flag vehicle. The law directly affects all bicycle operators in Montana who ride on roadways without professional escort services. By removing existing traffic laws that allowed cyclists to ride with traffic, the legislation establishes a new default rule favoring counter-traffic movement for safety. The only exception permits cyclists to ride with traffic when accompanied by a flag vehicle escort, which typically refers to a lead vehicle with a flagger or safety officer. This change modifies current Montana traffic codes by repealing previous sections that governed bicycle operation on roadways.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by requiring cyclists to ride opposite traffic flow, reducing collision risks and promoting safer road usage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2782: Generally revise vehicular traffic laws related to pedestrian crossings

This bill updates Montana's traffic laws to strengthen protections for pedestrians in crosswalks and establishes new penalties for drivers who endanger them. It requires vehicles to stop completely when approaching activated pedestrian-actuated devices like flashing beacons and remain stopped until pedestrians finish crossing. The legislation creates a specific misdemeanor offense called "endangerment of pedestrians" with escalating fines for repeat violations and mandates that drivers pay for repairs if they damage pedestrian-actuated equipment. Additionally, the bill clarifies rules about when vehicles may turn right at crosswalks and prohibits overtaking stopped vehicles at intersections where pedestrians are crossing.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens pedestrian safety protections and establishes stricter penalties for drivers endangering pedestrians, enhancing overall transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Driver Licensing Pedestrian Safety

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 19, 2025

LC 1821: Generally revise electric bicycle laws

This bill revises Montana's electric bicycle laws by updating definitions and amending specific sections of the state's motor vehicle code. It directly affects vehicle owners, law enforcement, and transportation officials by clarifying terminology for various vehicle types. The key provision adds new definitions for terms like "authorized agent," "autocycle," and "commercial motor vehicle" to ensure consistent understanding across regulations. These changes aim to modernize the legal framework governing electric bicycles and related vehicles without altering existing operational rules.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill modernizes electric bicycle laws and clarifies vehicle definitions, improving transportation regulations and infrastructure clarity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Electric Vehicles

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 387: Generally revise electric bicycle laws

Senate Bill 387 aimed to revise state laws concerning electrically assisted bicycles. The bill proposed providing specific definitions for these types of bicycles and amending existing sections of state law, including 61-1-101 and 61-8-102, MCA. This legislation sought to clarify how electrically assisted bicycles are classified and regulated within the state.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies e-bike regulations under Transportation/Motor Vehicles, promoting sustainable transportation by establishing clear legal definitions and classifications for electrically assisted bicycles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Electric Vehicles

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3806: Funding local government pedestrian infrastructure

Bill LC 3806, titled "Funding local government pedestrian infrastructure," proposed state funding for local governments to improve pedestrian safety features like sidewalks, crosswalks, and accessible pathways. It would have directly affected municipalities and counties by providing resources for infrastructure projects prioritizing pedestrian accessibility. However, the bill died in the legislative process on May 23, 2025, without advancing to a vote or establishing specific funding mechanisms. As a result, no policy changes were enacted through this bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposes state funding for pedestrian infrastructure, directly addressing appropriations and fiscal impact on local governments.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProposes state funding for pedestrian infrastructure, directly enhancing transportation safety and accessibility through sidewalks/crosswalks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1822: Generally revise bicycle laws

Bill LC 1822, titled "Generally revise bicycle laws," aimed to update state regulations governing bicycle use, which would have directly affected cyclists, local governments managing infrastructure, and law enforcement handling traffic enforcement. The bill was drafted and assigned to a drafter in November 2024 but died in the legislative process without advancing to committee or floor votes in May 2025. As a result, no specific policy changes were enacted, and the existing bicycle laws remained unchanged. The bill's draft did not include detailed provisions, as it never progressed beyond initial drafting.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly revises bicycle laws to update regulations affecting cyclists and infrastructure, aligning with transportation safety improvements. No enactment, but intent was supportive.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Driver Licensing Pedestrian Safety

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signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 471: Generally revise vehicular traffic laws related to pedestrian crossings

SB 471 revises vehicular traffic laws to enhance pedestrian safety at crossings by creating the offense of "endangerment of pedestrians." It establishes a tiered system of fines for drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, with higher penalties for violations occurring at crosswalks equipped with activated pedestrian-actuated devices. Drivers are also made liable for the cost of repairing or replacing any pedestrian-actuated devices they damage. Additionally, the bill clarifies driver responsibilities at flashing pedestrian-actuated devices, requiring them to yield and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed, or proceed with caution if unable to stop safely.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates penalties for failing to yield to pedestrians at crossings, enhancing road safety and protecting vulnerable users per traffic regulation updates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

signed · Montana · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 43: Generally revise motor vehicle traffic regulation laws

HB 43 revises Montana's motor vehicle traffic laws to improve clarity and consistency. It specifically defines "paved shoulder" to allow bicyclists to operate on shoulders (not just paved roads), updates rules for yielding to emergency vehicles, and clarifies when passing school buses is permitted. The bill also reorganizes traffic definitions and amends parking permit rules to better protect accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities. These changes directly affect drivers, cyclists, and emergency responders by standardizing road usage and accessibility requirements. The bill was signed into law by Montana's Governor on March 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by clarifying cyclist access, school bus passing rules, and accessible parking protections within traffic regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

died · Montana · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 124: Require bicycles to go opposite the flow of traffic

HB 124 would have required most bicycle riders on Montana roadways to travel *opposite* the direction of traffic flow, unless accompanied by a flag vehicle escort. This would have directly affected all cyclists riding on public roads without an escort, changing the standard practice of riding with traffic. The bill’s key provision would have mandated opposite-flow riding (facing oncoming vehicles) for unescorted cyclists, while allowing with-flow riding when a flag vehicle was present. It also aimed to repeal two existing Montana Code sections about bicycle traffic laws (61-8-602 and 61-8-605). Note: The bill was withdrawn on February 20, 2025, and is no longer active.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationMandates cycling against traffic flow, contradicting standard safety practices that require riding with traffic, increasing accident risks and weakening transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure

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