Philadelphia has taken a significant step in protecting cyclists, pedestrians, and all other road users as Mayor Cherelle Parker signed the “Get Out the Bike Lane Bill” into law on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. The measure, which City Council approved in October, solidifies the city’s stance on road safety by prohibiting drivers from stopping, standing, or parking in any dedicated bike lane. It also increases fines on violators, marking an escalation in the city’s efforts to ensure that designated cycling spaces remain safe, accessible, and free from vehicular obstruction.
A Push for Safer Streets
For years, local cyclists and advocacy groups have called attention to the dangers posed by vehicles that illegally block bike lanes. Prior to the new legislation, it was not uncommon to find delivery trucks, rideshare vehicles, or even private cars idling in lanes intended solely for bikes. “We’ve all seen safety issues as we travel across the city,” Mayor Parker said. “Vehicles obstructing these bike lanes—and even drivers thinking it’s no big deal—are creating a real hazard.” By making it expressly illegal to stop, stand, or park in these lanes, the city is taking a firm stance: these pathways are for cyclists and cyclists only.
Under the new provisions, the fines will jump to $125 for violations in Center City and University City—Philadelphia’s densest and most trafficked neighborhoods—and $75 in other parts of town. This is a marked increase from the previous fines, which ranged from $50 to $75 depending on the location.
A Tragedy That Spurred Action
The timing of the legislation is no coincidence. The new law comes just months after the tragic death of Dr. Barbara Friedes, a newly appointed chief resident at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who was struck and killed by a driver while biking in Center City. This incident, along with others, intensified pressure on the City Council and Mayor’s office to act decisively. In August, advocates rallied to demand protected bike lanes and stricter enforcement measures, underscoring the urgent need to ensure the safety of all road users.
Roll-Out and Enforcement
Though the ink has barely dried on the mayor’s signature, drivers will not see immediate enforcement. First, the city and the Philadelphia Parking Authority must install new signage, replacing existing “No Parking” notices with clearer “No Stopping” instructions. The city expects these updated signs to be in place by spring of next year, at which point the new penalties will be fully enforced. Until then, drivers should consider themselves on notice: the era of casually idling in bike lanes is coming to a firm and costly end.
Past Precedents and Broader Implications
The “Get Out the Bike Lane Bill” aligns with a growing trend in urban centers nationwide. Similar laws have cropped up in cities like New York, Seattle, and San Francisco—municipalities that have recognized the need to give cyclists safe spaces amidst congested and often unpredictable city traffic.
Professor Elena Martin, a Philadelphia-based legal scholar specializing in municipal law and transportation policy, notes that these local-level regulations are generally upheld under states’ broad grants of “police power” to municipalities. “Pennsylvania courts, like those in many jurisdictions, have long recognized that municipalities may regulate local streets for health and safety reasons,” says Martin. “Local traffic codes, which are often authorized under state vehicle codes, typically withstand constitutional challenges as long as they are neither arbitrary nor discriminatory. They need only show a rational relationship to the government’s legitimate interest in public safety.”
Martin points to similar legal frameworks applied in New York City’s traffic regulations, where dedicated bike lanes have become integral parts of the city’s mobility infrastructure. In 2011, New York codified strict enforcement against stopping or standing in bike lanes. Legal challenges to these restrictions generally failed because courts found that the city’s interest in protecting vulnerable road users easily outweighed the inconvenience to motorists.
In Philadelphia’s case, past lawsuits challenging local parking restrictions have hinged on claims that enforcement measures were unclear or inconsistently applied. However, the city’s new emphasis on “No Stopping” signage—and the considerable lead time before tickets start being issued—helps to mitigate such claims. “These steps are designed to ensure motorists are fully informed,” says Martin. “In administrative law, clear signage and public notice often strengthen the municipality’s position against claims of arbitrary enforcement.”
Additionally, the legal evolution of these laws parallels the rise of Vision Zero policies—a movement aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Courts have found that imposing strict penalties on dangerous traffic practices, such as blocking bike lanes, is not only permissible but laudable under the government’s duty to protect public welfare.
Martin also notes the potential for case studies from other cities to influence future challenges in Philadelphia. For instance, when Washington, D.C. implemented higher fines and stepped-up enforcement of bike lane regulations in 2019, some drivers attempted to contest these tickets in administrative hearings. They argued that the signage was insufficient or that the enforcement was too aggressive. However, the majority of such challenges did not succeed, reinforcing the idea that these regulations are viewed as necessary and valid public safety measures.
The Road Ahead
For Philadelphia, the signing of the “Get Out the Bike Lane Bill” marks the beginning of a broader cultural shift. As the city works toward a more bike-friendly and pedestrian-centric environment, the legal foundation for strict enforcement of bike lane protections is now firmly in place. While there may be legal challenges ahead—there often are when new traffic regulations roll out—the city’s approach, bolstered by legal precedent and public safety priorities, suggests it is well-prepared to stand its ground.
In the coming months, as new signs sprout up around town and city officials begin full enforcement, one thing is certain: Philadelphia’s message to motorists is clearer than ever—if you’re looking for a place to park, the bike lane is not an option.
