2026 Legislative Agenda

Bicyclist Safety Start: Bicyclists May Proceed on Walk Signal (HB177 / SB155) – Favorable

This bill allows people on bikes to proceed on the WALK signal, including during a leading pedestrian interval (LPI). This makes bike crossings more visible and reduces conflicts with turning drivers.

LPIs give pedestrians a 4-7 second head start before vehicles receive a green light. Research shows they increase driver yielding rates and reduce pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. MDOT SHA and several local jurisdictions are already deploying LPIs as part of their pedestrian safety initiatives. LPIs are included in MDOT SHA’s toolkit of proven traffic safety measures.

Intelligent Speed Assistance (HB107 / SB366) – Favorable

Bike Maryland supports an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) pilot program targeting high-risk drivers. ISA technology helps drivers stay within posted speed limits. Under this bill, drivers with serious speeding or reckless driving violations would be required to install the technology in their vehicles – improving road safety for everyone.

No Stopping, Standing, or Parking in a Bike Lane (HB1381) – Favorable with Amendment

Bike Maryland supports a simple, statewide rule: no stopping, standing, or parking in bike lanes. Bike lanes exist to move people safely – they are not parking or loading zones.

Maryland law already prohibits blocking roadways, intersections, sidewalks, and crosswalks for safety reasons. This bill applies that same common-sense protection to bike lanes. However, the bill’s 30-minute loading and unloading exception should be removed – it undermines the bill’s core purpose and creates exactly the kind of unsafe conditions the law is meant to prevent.

Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection Act of 2026 (HB256 / SB487) – Favorable

Allows speed camera enforcement in safety corridors – state road segments identified by MDOT SHA as an area of high risk to VRUs in a VRU safety assessment prepared pursuant to federal law.

Contributory Negligence Reform for Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) (HB466) – Favorable

Maryland is one of only four states that follows the legal doctrine of contributory negligence. Under this doctrine, an injured person who is found partially at fault for their own injury cannot recover any civil damages from the other party, no matter how negligent that other party was. For example: Imagine a driver is found 99% at fault for a crash that injured a bicyclist. If the bicyclist is found just 1% at fault, contributory negligence bars them from recovering any compensation from the driver at all.

This bill would create an exception for vulnerable road users – such as cyclists and pedestrians – who are injured by a negligent driver. Rather than being completely barred from compensation, an injured VRU’s recovery would simply be reduced in proportion to their share of fault. Under the same example, a VRU found 1% at fault could still recover 99% of their damages.

Transportation and Climate Alignment Act of 2026 (HB437 / SB59) – Favorable

Improves transportation planning to give Marylanders more, affordable options to travel. Requires highway expansion projects over $100 million to offset increased emissions and vehicle miles traveled through investments in transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, transit-oriented development, and solar energy.

Vulnerable Road User Safety Bills

Speed Monitoring Systems – Residential Districts (HB55 / SB45) – Favorable

Allows speed camera enforcement on streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less in residential areas throughout Maryland. This is already allowed in Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties.

Construction of Sidewalks & Crosswalks – Safe Alternative Routes to Public Schools (HB394 / SB158)

Requires school districts to evaluate and publish safe walking routes for students who do not receive bus service, and directs local governments to build missing sidewalks and crosswalks.

Urban Core & Urban Center – No Turn on Red (HB381) – Favorable with Amendment

Requires MDOT SHA to prohibit right turns on red at intersections of state roads in urban cores and centers. This safety measure reduces injury crashes by 38%. The bill should be changed to prohibit left turns on red onto one-way streets and ensure the safety analysis process is transparent and in collaboration with localities.

Exemptions From Liability – Vehicle Rental Companies (HB1522 / SB921) – Favorable

Removes exemption that shields rental vehicles from automated enforcement citations.

Dangerous Driver Accountability Act (HB8) – Favorable

Establishes the Dangerous Driver Abatement Program requiring education or sanctions for repeat offenders.

MDOT Sponsored Bills

Transportation Investment Priorities Act of 2026 (HB230 / SB62) – Favorable

Bike Maryland supports this updated, transparent prioritization process, which reflects Maryland’s commitment to Complete Streets, Vision Zero, and a safe, multimodal transportation network.

Automated Enforcement Reciprocity (HB249 / SB173) – Favorable

Allows the MVA to enter reciprocal agreements with other states to enforce automated citations, targeting repeat offenders who speed and run red lights across jurisdictions. The bill advances Maryland’s Vision Zero goals by strengthening enforcement of speeding and other unsafe driving such as running red lights.

Ignition Interlock Device Placement (HB286 / SB38) – Favorable

Allows drivers 21 and older who violate an alcohol restriction on their license to enroll in the Ignition Interlock System Program (IISP) without appearing before an administrative law judge. Currently, this option is only available to drivers under 21.