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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) and 85 Organizations Endorse Bill Requiring Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Systems that Detect and Respond to Bicyclists and Motorcyclists
(Washington, D.C. | April 15, 2026) — Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) and 85 groups including those representing safety, bicycle, motorcycle and consumer issues and property/casualty insurance associations and companies announced support in a letter today for the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act of 2026 (H.R. 7353). The legislation will require new passenger vehicles to be equipped with AEB systems that detect and respond to bicyclists, motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users (VRUs). It will build on progress made in the final rule issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2024 that required AEB with pedestrian detection on all new passenger vehicles by 2029.*
The bill was introduced by Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Joe Neguse (D-CO) and is named in memory of 17-year-old U.S. National Cycling Champion Magnus White, who was tragically killed in 2023 when a reckless driver hit him on a designated bike path while training to represent the U.S. at the Mountain Bike World Championships.
Data released by NHTSA earlier this month showed that 1,103 bicyclists, 6,228 motorcyclists and 7,080 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2024.
Public support for this policy is strong. In polling released by Advocates last week, 73% of respondents supported requiring AEB systems to detect and respond to bicyclists and motorcyclists in addition to pedestrians, rising to 91% among those with a stated opinion.
“This legislation is a reasonable and required step to make proven safety technology protect everyone on our roads. By strengthening the current AEB safety standard to detect bicyclists, motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users, the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act of 2026 can help prevent needless tragedies. A bicycle or motorcycle ride should not end in an ambulance ride. We thank Representatives Clarke and Neguse for their leadership and urge Congress to include this measure in the surface transportation reauthorization bill.” Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
“Far too many families are forced to endure the heartbreak of losing a loved one to preventable roadway tragedies. Pedestrians and cyclists deserve to move safely through streets, crosswalks, and roadways within their communities. I am deeply encouraged by the over 85 organizations that have united in support of this common-sense legislation, reflecting a shared commitment to saving lives. In honoring the memory of Magnus White, who was taken far too soon, we reaffirm our resolve to advance this measure to protect road users nationwide and prevent these tragedies from continuing.” Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY)
“Year after year, preventable tragedies involving pedestrians and cyclists take the lives of community members. I’m deeply grateful to the over 85 organizations that have endorsed our common-sense proposal to improve roadway safety. In memory of those we’ve tragically lost, including Boulder’s Magnus White, an incredible young man and cyclist, we’ll keep fighting to get this measure across the finish line.” Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO)
“Bicyclist automatic emergency braking is a technology that already exists and will save lives, if implemented in American cars. That is why the League has been a proponent of bicyclist-AEB for more than a decade, and why we are encouraged by the momentum behind the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act. Everyone, including bicyclists like Magnus White, deserve a safe trip home.” Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists
“The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has long stated America’s public roads should not be the proving ground for new vehicle technology. This legislation sends a clear message to regulators and manufacturers that automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems should perform as marketed and detect all road users. We are grateful for the leadership of Representatives Clarke and Neguse on this issue on behalf of motorcyclists.” Zach Farmer, AMA Washington Representative
“We know humans fail. We know they make catastrophic decisions. That’s exactly why vehicle safety technology must be mandatory. Had the driver’s car that killed our 17-year-old son Magnus been equipped with any safety technology that already exists today, he would be alive, living his dreams. Lane Assist would have kept her in her lane and on the road. Automatic Emergency Braking as proposed in H.R. 7353, The Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act, would have seen Magnus and stopped her car before striking him. Vehicle technology would have seen what the driver could not. It would have done what the driver did not. It would have saved our son’s life.” Jill and Michael White. Magnus’ Mom and Dad
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About Advocates
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.
*Several aspects of the rule are currently under review by NHTSA.