October 18, 2026 - In late July, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) removed bike lanes, road diets, and speed management from its Proven Safety Countermeasures website.

Proven Safety Countermeasures are highly effective, data-driven strategies or physical modifications implemented on roads and highways to keep cyclists safe, and the USDOT strongly recommends that states and local governments implement them.

For instance, the now-removed Federal Highway (FHWA) one-pager on bike lanes noted that bicycle lane additions can reduce all crashes—bicycle and other—by up to 49% on urban four- lane undivided collectors and local roads, and by 30% on urban two-lane undivided collectors and local roads.

The 2023 FHWA document also noted that studies and experience in cities have found that adding bike lanes to roads did not cause congestion. The same is true for speed management proven safety countermeasures – research (and common sense) shows that high speeds increase crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

The USDOT needs to explain why it is putting politics ahead of safety. Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA), the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, released a statement requesting a USDOT briefing on why these safety measures are no longer encouraged.

The League of American Bicyclists is urging U.S. citizens to contact their member of Congress to join Larsen in amplifying his call to protect vulnerable road users.