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Policy Finder

Bicycle Commuter Act of 2021

2021

Federal

Summary:

The Bicycle Commuter Act would reinstate commuter benefits for biking to work that were suspended in 2017. The new benefit would offer commuters up to $81/month (adjustable for inflation) in pre-tax benefits for biking, including electric bicycle costs and using bikeshare. This benefit could be used in harmony with parking and transit benefits to provide the needed flexibility for commuters to get to work efficiently.

Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment Act

2021

Federal

Summary:

The Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act would offer individual consumers a refundable 30% tax credit for purchasing an electric bicycle — up to a $1,500 credit for new bicycles less than $8,000. Individuals would be eligible for this credit once every three years and couples filing jointly would be eligible for two credits. This legislation also mandates a study after three years to evaluate if the credit is reaching low-income communities.

CARES Act

2020

Federal

Summary:

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $2 trillion in spending and tax provisions for companies and organizations of all sizes in response to the economic and health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This law included a number of provisions that small businesses and employees in the bike industry could take advantage of to help their business, including the Paycheck Protection Program, Small Business Administration loans, unemployment insurance and more.

Moving Forward Act

2020

Federal

Summary:

The Moving Forward Act is a $1.5 trillion infrastructure package that covers transportation, energy, water resources, telecommunications and more. Nearly $500 billion from this package is dedicated to reauthorizing national transportation policy, including important programs for active transportation, connectivity infrastructure, road safety, climate change and trail maintenance.

Plan to Establish an Electric Bicycle Purchase Incentive Program

2020

State - Connecticut

Summary:

PeopleForBikes is advocating for an electric bicycle purchase incentive program in Connecticut. Rebates will make electric bicycles a more affordable mobility and recreation option for individuals and families throughout the state. If established, this program would allow Connecticut to lead in expanding electric bicycle opportunities across the northeast region.

SOAR Act

2020

Federal

Summary:

The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act would streamline and modernize the permitting process for travel and recreation across multiple jurisdictions of federal lands (i.e. travel from national parks to Bureau of Land Management areas). This bill will offer more ease for guides and outfitters and make permitting for bicycle tourism more efficient and less bureaucratic.

Connecting America’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Act

2020

Federal

Summary:

Connecting America’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Act, championed by our partners at the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, would establish a competitive grant program with $500 million/year to support trail and network connectivity for biking and walking. The focus of this bill is to enhance regional and local trail networks so we have more safe and reliable options for travel with active transportation modes.

Support Safe Mobility Through Vision Zero

2020

Summary:

Boulder City Council approved a Vision Zero ordinance that promotes the city's vision of safer streets by setting a 20 mph speed limit on some quiet neighborhood streets throughout the community.

Creation of Protected Bike Lanes

2020

State - Pennsylvania

Summary:

Senate Bill 565 would allow more space between a parked car and the curb — space that could be used for a protected bike lane. Currently, Pennsylvania law states that vehicles must be parked no more than 12 inches from a curb or sidewalk on state roads. This detail has stalled important protected bike lane projects throughout the state.

Funding for Safe Bike Infrastructure

2020

Local - Portland, OR

Summary:

Portland voters approved a 10-cent gas tax renewal that will fund $75 million towards improving Portland’s streets by making them safer for all road users. Included in this measure is $6 million for Safe Routes to School projects, $1.5 million for sidewalk and bike lane improvements and $4.5 million to create neighborhood greenways.

Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors, Veterans COMPACT Act

2020

Federal

Summary:

The Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act was passed by the House in a broader policy package (Veterans COMPACT Act) to support veterans’ mental health and recovery. This bill would establish a federal interagency task force to study the potential for outdoor recreation in veterans’ recovery processes. 

Improve Access For Electric Bicycles

2020

Local - Roanoke, VA

Summary:

Roanoke’s city council voted to allow Class 1, 2 and 3 electric bicycles on all greenways and trails throughout the city.

Funding Trails and Greenways - Prince William County, VA

2019

Summary:

Prince William County voters approved the Park Improvement Bond to fund the acquisition, design, construction and improvement of parks, trails and greenways across the county for all residents to enjoy and ride bikes on.

Create Connected Bike Network Systems

2019

Local - Gilbert, AZ

Summary:

Gilbert voters approved the 2020 Gilbert General Plan, which creates plans to improve connectivity between Gilbert’s bike network systems.

Active Transportation Funding

2019

Summary:

House Bill 62, legislation to fund active transportation, is an $8.5 billion transportation package, of which $70 million from the general revenue fund is allocated for Ohio’s public transportation options. These funds will help build places to bike across Ohio that are safe and easy to access.

Funding for Improved Recreational Trails

2019

Local - King County, WA

Summary:

King County voters approved Proposition 1 to fund $810 million between 2020 and 2025 for parks, recreation, trails and open space areas that make bike riding more comfortable, accessible and safe.

Protect Vulnerable Road Users

2019

State - Colorado

Summary:

Serious Bodily Injury Vulnerable Road User Penalties is an update to Colorado law that makes it a class 1 misdemeanor when careless driving results in a serious injury to a vulnerable road user such as a bicyclist or pedestrian. The update also allows courts to require violators take a driver improvement course among other penalties.

Regulation of Chemicals In Children’s Products

2019

State - New Jersey

Summary:

This legislation proposed in New Jersey would have required bike suppliers to report the use of certain chemicals in the assembly of children’s bicycles. PeopleForBikes’ request was granted that children’s bicycles be exempt from the definition of “children’s product” in the bill.

Funding Trails and Open Space

2019

Local - Metro Portland, OR

Summary:

Metro Portland voters approved the Parks and Nature Bond to improve open space, trails and recreation and advance Metro Portland’s commitment to racial equity, making sure all people benefit from investments in parks and nature.

Improve Access For Electric Bicycles - Flagstaff

2019

Local - Flagstaff, AZ

Summary:

Flagstaff City Council voted to allow Class 1 and 2 electric bicycles on sections of the Flagstaff Urban Trails System.

Funding for Parks and Trails

2019

State - Texas

Summary:

Proposition 5 ensured that all sales tax revenue (6.25%) from sporting good sales statewide will go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. In 2018, $322 million in revenue was raised from this tax. These annual funds will improve Texas’ parks and create more fun and comfortable places for residents to walk and bike.

Funding Trails and Open Space - Cary NC

2019

Local - Cary, NC

Summary:

Cary voters approved a parks and transportation bond to improve parks and recreation needs, including preserving open space and creating greenways and trails that improve the city’s bike network connectivity.

Improve Access For Electric Bicycles

2019

Summary:

House Bill 2188 adopts the PeopleForBikes model electric bicycle regulations, recognizes electric bikes as bicycles and gives electric bicycle riders the same access to roads and pathways as other bicycle riders in Texas.

Support an Outdoor Recreation Economy

2019

State - California

Summary:

California’s State Assembly has proposed the creation of an Office of Outdoor Recreation. If established, this state office would increase Californians' access to the outdoors, diversify the range of recreational activities available throughout California and improve the state’s economy.

Active Transportation for Public Lands Act

2019

Federal

Summary:

The Active Transportation for Public Lands Act would create a 5% set-aside for active transportation within the Federal Lands Transportation Program (FLTP). The FLTP supports transportation projects across America’s public lands, from road and bridge to trail maintenance and safety. This would create a small, dedicated amount specific for biking, walking and moving without motorized vehicles in our public lands.

Sales Tax on Recreational Equipment

2019

State - Washington

Summary:

House Bill 2122 would have placed an additional 0.2% sales tax on all “recreational equipment and apparel” valued at more than $200 throughout Washington state. PeopleForBikes fought against this bill and it was not passed.

Electric Bicycle Purchase Incentive Program

2019

State - California

Summary:

Senate Bill 400 expands on the existing electric vehicle provisions in California (Clean Cars 4 All) and provides funding for low-income and disadvantaged residents to purchase an electric bicycle or use a bikeshare program.

Improve Access For Electric Bicycles

2019

Summary:

House Bill 971 adopts PeopleForBikes’ model electric bicycle regulations, recognizes electric bikes as bicycles and gives electric bicycle riders the same access to roads and pathways as traditional bicycle riders statewide. 

Save the Lost Dog Trail

2019

Local - El Paso, Texas

Summary:

El Paso voters approved Proposition A to preserve 1,107 acres of land including the Lost Dog Trail from private development and roadways. The Lost Dog Trail is popular among mountain bikers in El Paso.

Great American Outdoors Act

Federal

Summary:

The Great American Outdoors Act permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million annually and provides $9.5 billion over five years for maintenance in our national parks. This historic investment in our nation’s public lands will bring our favorite places to recreate into the 21st century and keep them maintained for future generations.

REPLANT Act

Federal

Summary:

The REPLANT Act would modernize the Reforestation Trust Fund by lifting the $30 million cap, allowing the United States Forest Service to properly address the current reforestation backlog with no additional cost to taxpayers. With the cap lifted, USFS will be able to plant 1.2 billion trees over the next ten years, thereby creating 49,000 green jobs and maintaining recreation opportunities in our national forests.

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