Why Harrisburg Matters to Bike Safety: A Look Back at Our Philly Bike Expo Seminar, 2026
Cyclists, builders, exhibitors, and community members packed the Philadelphia Convention Center for this year’s Philly Bike Expo in March. Celebrating its 15th year, the Philly Bike Expo once again proved why it’s the East Coast’s premier cycling event.
Every year, the expo makes space for a robust series of seminars on a wide range of topics that impact the community. Piscitello Law’s Seminar was entitled “Why Harrisburg Matters to Bike Safety” and was presented along with Board members from the Pennsylvania Safe Roads Political Action Committee.
Eshad and Jasmine Hoffman, PA Representative Morgan Cephas: Jason Duckworth, Nicole Brunet, Joseph Piscitello, Elizabeth Hocker. Not Pictured: Laura Fredricks, PAC Board of Directors
An introduction to the PA Safe Roads PAC
The session was an opportunity to introduce the PAC to the larger cycling community and to share its mission to promote transportation policies and law enforcement that are proven to reduce fatalities and injuries from vehicular crashes. The PAC was formed in 2022 with the intent to save lives on Pennsylvania roads and highways. The seminar offered attendees a clear look at how policy crafted in Pennsylvania’s Capitol directly affects the safety of cyclists and other vulnerable road users across the Commonwealth.
PAC Board members, Joe Piscitello and Jason Duckworth outlined the organization’s 2026 priorities, emphasizing the need for sustained advocacy, strategic legislative engagement, and broad public participation. Attendees were briefed on the PAC’s three core policy initiatives: Parking Protected Bike Lanes, Jay Alert Notification, and Intelligent Speed Assistance.
Parking‑Protected Bike Lanes
Nicole Brunet, (PAC President) highlighted the lives of Susan Hicks and Emily Fredricks—two Pennsylvanians whose deaths while biking in unprotected bike lanes galvanized statewide calls for safer street design. Nicole explained the need to amend current PA Vehicle Codes so that parking protected bike lanes will be a possible tool for cities to use. She provided background on the legislative progress of “Emily & Susan’s Law” (PA House Bill 291), which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support in February 2025. There is also a similar bill (SB824) in the Senate Transportation Committee, that we are monitoring.
Jay Alert Notification System
Inspired by the tragic death of 8‑year‑old Jayanna Powell, the Jay Alert proposal would create a statewide notification system to alert auto body shops about hit‑and‑run crashes involving death or serious injury. Modeled after the Amber Alert system, Jay Alert aims to close critical gaps in identifying vehicles involved in fatal and serious hit and run crashes.
Jasmine Hoffman, PAC Board Member, and co-founder of the Jay Alert System presented details about this initiative that she launched to honor her niece, Jayanna Powell. PA State Representative Morgan Cephas shared compelling remarks about why she has stepped up to be the lead sponsor of this legislation in the House. Rep. Cephas represents Pennsylvania’s 192 District in West Philadelphia and is working diligently with colleagues in the Senate to push this law over the finish line for the 2026 session.
Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)
Elizabeth Hocker (PAC Board Member) presented on a relatively new piece of legislation known as “Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)” technology, which limits a vehicle’s ability to exceed posted speed limits. The ISA approach is modeled after ignition‑interlock devices used to curb repeat DUI offenses. Liz explained that the ISA legislation is meant to target the worst repeat offenders of speeding. The urgency to address extreme speeding is personal to Liz as her 17‑year‑old son, Damien Hocker, was killed by a speeding driver in 2024. ISA pilots are already underway in New York City, thanks to tireless work by Families for Safe Streets. Pennsylvania legislators including Rep. Sean Dougherty and Rep. Ed Nielson are exploring similar measures.
Throughout the presentation, PAC Board Members and Rep Cephas emphasized the human cost of inaction, specifically naming families whose lives have been permanently altered. The message was clear: meaningful change requires legislative action, legislative leadership, public engagement, and sustained advocacy.
The seminar concluded with a call to action, inviting attendees to support the PAC’s work, sign up for legislative updates, and join the growing movement for safer streets across Pennsylvania. For more information about the PAC, please visit their site here.
