Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bicycling

LaHood to Bike Advocates: U.S. DOT Will Be Your “Full Partner”

BikePortland's Jonathan Maus is down in D.C. today for the National Bike Summit, where Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood gave the opening address this morning. From Maus's recap:

At the outset of his remarks, he said, “I want all of you to know you
have a full partner at the US DOT in working toward livable
communities”. A key theme of LaHood’s remarks was that he and President
Obama will work hard help make communities nicer places to walk and
bike. LaHood said that he and Obama, “Will work toward an America where
bikes are recognized to coexist with other modes and to safely share
our roads and bridges.”

One bright spot that did not go unnoticed by the crowd is that
LaHood said he and other transportation officials plan to study
European models of bike and walk-friendly facilities this spring
(something Portland, New York City, and others have already been doing).

We'll see how LaHood's words translate into policy, but it sure beats some of the rhetoric we heard from prior DOT Sec Mary Peters.

In another encouraging development, Maus reports that representative James Oberstar, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is meeting with prominent bike lawyers to discuss national traffic justice legislation.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Tuesday’s Headlines Show Elections Have Consequences

"Woke" transit agencies need not apply for federal grants now that father of nine Sean Duffy is in charge.

May 20, 2025

Should We Treat the Local Bus As a Basic Right?

There's a way of framing public transit that makes the bus a useful mobility tool for everyone: as a moving extension of the sidewalk network.

May 20, 2025

Car Harms Monday: Machines Took Over Cities and Left Humans in the Dust

There isn't enough physical space for every single household to store its fleet of personal vehicles in front of the home, nor is there space for everyone to drive at the same time. So let's fix that.

May 19, 2025

What Are University Transportation Centers — And Why Did Secretary Duffy Decimate Their Budgets?

University Transportation Centers are "where innovation happens." Earlier this month, though, the Trump administration took a sledgehammer to their budgets.

May 19, 2025

Monday’s Big, Beautiful Headlines

Ride-hailing and delivery apps are backing the Republican reconciliation bill because it includes a tax exemption for drivers' tips.

May 19, 2025
See all posts