The Department of Transportation removed bike lanes from the federal list of “Proven Safety Measures” — a stealthy move that puts Black and Brown bikers at a higher risk of death and injury on the road.
Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Sean Duffy, said that they are defunding “DEI bike lanes,” in a social media post, despite significant research and data showing that these measures help keep everyone safe.
Significance. Research from 2022 shows that Black Americans die at four times higher rates while cycling, compared to White cyclists. Another study found that Black and Native Americans are disproportionately killed in fatal crashes on the road. The research also found that other populations with high mobility risk on the road include Asian adults over 65-years-old and Latino children under 16-years-old.
Overlooked angle. By removing safety initiatives like bike lanes, safety cameras, and speed bumps off of the federal list of “Proven Safety Measures,” the Trump administration is not only making roads more dangerous for Black people, but everyone on the road. Local and state governments need adequate federal backing and funding to maintain and keep roadways safe for all users.
What experts say. “We’re still struggling in the United States with a completely unacceptable number of roadway deaths,” said Stephanie Pollack, the Department of Transportation’s former acting administrator under President Joe Biden, to NPR. “These measures are one of the most important tools that the federal government has to help state and local transportation officials make smart decisions about how to make their roads safer. And they need to be credible.”
