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HB 249 · 2025 · House · Transportation Committee

Bicyclists treating stop signs as yield

AI-generated

allowing bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and stop lights as stop signs.

Allows bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs and to stop and proceed at red traffic lights as if they were yield signs.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows bicyclists to yield instead of stop at stop signs and stop and proceed at red lights as if the light was a yield sign.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Every person propelling a vehicle by human power or riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under the rules of the road, except as provided in [paragraph] paragraphs I-a and II and as to special regulations in this subdivision and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.”
RSA 265:143
“I-a.(a) A person operating a bicycle, human-powered vehicle, or an electric bicycle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection.”
RSA 265:143
“A person operating a bicycle, human-powered vehicle, or electric bicycle approaching a steady red traffic control light shall stop before entering the intersection and shall yield to all other traffic.”
RSA 265:143
“Provided however, that a person, after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way, if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn.”
RSA 265:143

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Seth MillerDPrime

Public testimony

51 signed in online · 22 wrote testimony

84% support16% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Cycling is one of the many forms of recreation that make NH such an appealing place to live for those of us who appreciate what nature has to offer.…”
— Lynette Cornell, Manchestersupports
“I bike or walk as my main form of transportation in Manchester. I am a very cautious and safe cyclist and I support this bill because it will decrease the amount of time I have to spend at intersections. These tend to be the most likely places cyclists are hit and injured.…”
— Elyza Agosta, Manchestersupports
“As a citizen who regularly bicycles, I support this bill. Bicyclists travel at a lower rate of speed and have greater situational awareness than than automobile operators.…”
— Timothy Huffman, Manchestersupports
“I am a rabid road cyclist riding 3000-4000 miles a year on the roads of NH and I oppose this bill. Bicycles want full rights to the roadways and should be granted such. However, that also means we also must obey all traffic rules.…”
— Edward Haas, Keeneopposes
“If there was ever an idea that would cause more problems on the roads, this is it. There are enough problems on the roads that we do not need to invite more.…”
— Gordon Springate, Wiltonopposes
“Bill is a reflection of the reality in bicycling everywhere. Unfortunately, the legal responsibility in the inevitable future bicycle/automobile accidents is incorrectly moved further upon the auto driver.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseDivisionInexpedient to LegislateAdopted207–135
    Overall
    61% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation7:16–24:5017m 34slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation19:38–24:264m 48slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor5:40:38–5:47:397m 1slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, division 207-135

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 2 P. 12
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 203
  3. Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 10:00 am LOB 203
  4. Mar 4, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/04/2025 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 17 P. 45
  5. Mar 14, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 207-135 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 94

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.