WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), along with founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), today introduced the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, legislation to support state and local government efforts to build safer, more complete, networks for bicycling and walking.

“My constituent Sarah Langenkamp was a devoted mother, wife, daughter and friend whose memory not only calls us to emulate her passionate and patriotic service to our country, but inspires us to move swiftly on cyclist and pedestrian safety,” said Rep. Raskin. “Our legislation recognizes the urgency of this moment by helping local governments build safer transportation networks and save lives. Keeping cyclists safe requires meaningful coordination and collaboration from our federal, state and local governments, and I’m grateful to Congressman Blumenauer for his partnership on this issue.”?

“More foreign service officers died in roadway accidents last year than overseas. This is unacceptable,” said Congressman Blumenauer, founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. “The federal government must do more to help transportation systems adjust to handle different types of road users. My legislation does just that—by unlocking federal funds to encourage state and local governments to build safer, more complete, networks for bicycling and walking.”  

“Sarah fled a war zone only to die on the streets near our nation’s capital,” said Dan Langenkamp, Sarah’s husband.“There is simply no reason in the world why deciding to ride a bike in the United States should be a life or death decision. We have to do better.”

Just weeks after returning from official duties in Ukraine, U.S. diplomat Sarah Debbink Langenkamp was killed while riding her bike on a Bethesda, Maryland road. She was traveling home from a visit to her child’s school when the driver of a semi-truck turned right into a parking lot, striking and crushing her. 

Sarah’s death reflects a uniquely American crisis. In 2021, 42,915 people died in roadway accidents, making the United States one of the most dangerous places to drive, bike, or walk.  

The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act will support state and local government efforts to build safer, more complete, networks for bicycling and walking. The bill:? 

• Unlocks Highway Safety Improvement Program funding for projects that connect two pieces of safe cycling infrastructure.? 
• Allows local governments to identify active transportation projects eligible for federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funding.? 
• Allows bicyclist and pedestrian safety projects to be fully federally funded, ensuring all communities can take advantage of these new eligibilities and encouraging communities to undertake more bicyclist and pedestrian safety projects.? 

Find full bill text here. Find a one-page fact sheet here.