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Blumenauer, Raskin Introduce Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Act

March 22, 2023

Legislation unlocks critical roadway safety funds for local governments, honors State Department employee killed in bicycle accident last August

Blumenauer, Raskin Introduce Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Act 

We have a responsibility to make our streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians,” said Congressman Blumenauer, founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. “Sarah’s work took her to dangerous places around the world. Biking home in our nation’s capitol should not have been one of them.”

“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 Congressman 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.” 

“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.”

“All too often we hear of family members not making it home from walking or biking in cities across the country. As a mother who bikes to work and to pick up their toddler from daycare in Washington DC, I know firsthand the risk and fear inherent in navigating the city’s roads when you’re not in a car,” said Katherine Garcia, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director. “We are losing too many loved ones to policy failure. The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act will help to change this devastating reality by investing in safer, more complete route networks. And ultimately by funding much-needed infrastructure, more people will feel empowered to bike.”

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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.  

Here is the full bill text. Here is a one-page fact sheet.