Bicycles, Play Vehicles, and Unicycles - Authorizations and Requirements (Jay's Law)
Summary
SB 392, titled Jay’s Law, changes Maryland transportation law governing where bicycles, play vehicles, and unicycles may be operated. The bill expressly authorizes a person to ride a bicycle, play vehicle, or unicycle on a sidewalk or sidewalk area unless a local ordinance prohibits it. It also allows a bicyclist to ride from the curb or edge of the roadway into or through a crosswalk where sidewalk riding is permitted.
The bill further clarifies that when a person is lawfully riding on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, that person has the rights and duties of a pedestrian under the Transportation Article, but must still obey traffic control signals at intersections. A new requirement is added that riders of bicycles, play vehicles, or unicycles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and to people using electric personal assistive mobility devices when on sidewalks or in crosswalks. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
Impact
SB 392 amends Sections 21-1103 and 21-1202 of the Maryland Transportation Article. It shifts the default rule from allowing sidewalk riding only where permitted to allowing it statewide unless a local ordinance bans it, while preserving local control to restrict sidewalk use. It also adds a specific right-of-way rule protecting pedestrians and users of electric personal assistive mobility devices, and it reinforces that these riders remain subject to traffic signals and pedestrian-type restrictions when operating in sidewalks or crosswalks.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support in the Senate, passing third reading by a vote of 42-2. The absence of committee transcript material limits insight into detailed debate, but the strong floor vote suggests the measure was generally viewed favorably as a clarification and safety-oriented update to existing bicycle and pedestrian rules.
Contention
The main policy tension in SB 392 is between expanded access for riders and pedestrian safety. Supporters likely favor the clearer statewide authorization for bicycles, play vehicles, and unicycles on sidewalks and in crosswalks, while any opposition would center on concerns about conflicts with pedestrians, especially in crowded sidewalk areas. The bill addresses that concern by requiring riders to yield to pedestrians and users of electric personal assistive mobility devices and by preserving local ordinances that prohibit sidewalk riding.