America Bikes Act

Key Points

• The bill creates a $500 million per year competitive grant program (2026-2030) to build connected bike paths, sidewalks, and trails linking neighborhoods to schools, jobs, and transit centers. At least 30% of funds must go to local active transportation networks and 30% to longer-distance "spines" connecting communities or states.
• Workers who bike, use e-bikes, or ride electric scooters to work could receive tax-free employer reimbursements for purchasing, leasing, repairing, or storing their commuting equipment, including bikeshare memberships. The monthly benefit is capped at 30% of the qualified parking benefit amount.
• The bill eliminates import duties on bicycle parts used in U.S. assembly for 10 years, aiming to boost domestic bike manufacturing to 2 million bikes annually within 5 years and 5 million within 10 years. Parts are also excluded from Section 301 tariffs.
• Schools gain access to grant funding for on-bicycle education, and the Department of Transportation must update its safety guidelines to encourage bike and pedestrian safety training for elementary and secondary students, including emphasis on helmet use and traffic rules.
• The bill reauthorizes the Safe Streets and Roads for All program through 2031, reduces the local matching requirement for implementation grants from 40% to 20%, and requires each state to spend at least 5% of its National Highway Performance Program funds on projects in comprehensive safety action plans.
• A new bicycle transit integration grant program would fund bike parking at transit stations and expand bikeshare programs, making it easier for commuters to combine biking with buses and trains. Federal lands and tribal transportation programs must also set aside at least 5% of their funds for active transportation projects.