PeopleForBikes is proud to support the Bicycle Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act, recently introduced by Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-RI) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL), co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. This bipartisan legislation aims to make bike safety education a standard part of youth learning nationwide — helping kids develop safe riding skills, build confidence on a bike, and create safer roads for everyone.

Why the BIKE Act Matters for Youth Bike Safety and Safer Roads

Teaching bike safety early gives young people the skills and habits they need to navigate our streets confidently and responsibly. This bill could not come at a more critical time — since 2010, bicyclist fatalities in the U.S. have risen by 87%, with recent data showing that 1,106 riders were killed in 2024, a record high. In order to combat these staggering figures, we need to use every tool available to improve safety and save lives.

What Does the BIKE Act Do?

The BIKE Act will expand certain National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) federal grant funding to include bike safety education in two ways:

National Priority Safety Programs (Section 405)

NHTSA’s National Priority Safety Programs provide grant funding to states for specific road safety measures. Current law allows these funds to be used for occupant protection, impaired driving countermeasures, motorcyclist safety, and other purposes. The BIKE Act would explicitly add “providing on-bicycle education to elementary school and secondary school students” as an eligible use of funds.

State and Community Safety Grants Program (Section 402)

NHTSA’s State and Community Safety Grants Program provides grant funding to states for broader, multifaceted state highway safety programs designed to reduce traffic crashes and prevent deaths. The BIKE Act directs NHTSA to update its guidance to clarify that bike safety education is an eligible use of funds and encourage states to utilize these funds for this purpose.

What’s Next?

Congress is at the early stages of crafting the next federal surface transportation bill to reauthorize federal funding for roads, bridges, and transit systems. Congress must pass that bill before current funding programs expire September 2026. The broader surface transportation reauthorization package is the best opportunity for the BIKE Act to become public law.

By passing the BIKE Act, Congress can take a meaningful step toward safer streets, healthier communities, and a lifelong love of bicycling for the next generation. Together, we can make safe riding skills as fundamental as reading and math.

“The BIKE Act protects our kids and empowers them to explore their communities with confidence,” said PeopleForBikes President and CEO Jenn Dice. “By expanding access to bike safety education and resources, we’re helping the next generation build lifelong skills and fall in love with the simple joy of riding. We’re grateful to Representative Magaziner and Representative Buchanan for helping ensure that every child can discover the pure joy, freedom, and confidence that comes from riding a bike.”

“The Youth Cycling Coalition (YCC) strongly supports the BIKE Act, which directly advances our mission to ensure every child can access and experience the lifelong benefits of bicycling,” said Esther Walker, executive director of Outride and co-chair of the YCC. “By making bike education eligible for federal safety funding through NHTSA, this bill empowers communities to embed bicycling into daily life and continue growing youth participation in riding.”

How You Can Help Pass the BIKE Act

Contact your members of congress and encourage them to support the BIKE Act. If you would like assistance, please reach out to PeopleForBikes Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell at chris@peopleforbikes.org.