Pedalcycles prohibited on freeways

(a) General rule.--No person shall ride a pedalcycle on a freeway. (b) Exceptions.-- (1) The department and local authorities, on highways under their respective jurisdictions, may issue permits for a procession or event prohibited under subsection (a) upon a determination that: (i) The pedalcycle procession or event is of national, State or regional interest; and (ii) the results of an engineering and traffic study indicate that the procession or event can be conducted with safety. (2) On State-designated freeways, pedalcycles may be authorized under the following limitations: (i) The pedalcycler is 18 years of age or older or is accompanied by a pedalcycler 18 years of age or older. (ii) A written request for review of the freeway route based on the potential unavailability of an alternate route is made to the department. (iii) The department determines that no reasonable alternate route exists and the freeway is safe for pedalcycle travel. (iv) The department publishes a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin authorizing pedalcycle access to the freeway. The notice shall constitute approval for the persons authorized under subparagraph (i) to ride a pedalcycle on the State-designated freeway. (c) Action by local authorities.--Action taken by local authorities regarding permission to use pedalcycles on freeways under their jurisdiction shall be: (1) by ordinance of the local governing body; or (2) by a commission or public official authorized to act on specified matters. (d) Operation on shoulder.--If the department authorizes pedalcycle access to a freeway, the pedalcycle shall be operated upon the shoulder of that freeway whenever practicable.