PRESS RELEASE – April 17, 2026
Media Contact
Ashley Vander Meeden
Marketing & Communications Manager, Bicycle Colorado
720-504-8515 | [email protected]
Colorado Bicyclists Join Rally to Save “America’s Bike Lanes”
Bicycle Colorado calls on communities statewide to ride in solidarity with Washington, D.C., as federal threats to protected bike lanes raise alarm nationwide
DENVER, Colo • April 17, 2026 — Bicycle Colorado and safe streets advocates from across the state will rally on Tuesday, April 21st, to express solidarity with bicyclists in Washington, D.C., after a federal government announcement that it would tear out a route dubbed “America’s bike lane” in downtown Washington, D.C.
The protest in Colorado is one of dozens being held across the United States in solidarity with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), which has spearheaded the effort to protect the lane, filing suit in March in a federal court against the Federal Highway Administration and National Park Service.
WABA argued the plan to remove the path bypassed required public input, environmental review, and coordination with DC’s own transportation authorities in apparent violation of federal law. A decision on the matter is expected before April 23, when destruction of the lane is scheduled to begin.
The 15th Street protected bike lane is more than a local project. Built with public funding through a transparent process, it serves both D.C. residents and visitors to the National Mall. Now, it faces unilateral removal by the federal government at the urging of a small group of politicians, despite clear evidence of its benefits. The lane has reduced bike-injury crashes by 91% and overall crashes by 46%, while improving mobility and reducing congestion.
If it can happen in DC, it can happen anywhere–and it is no doubt happening here in Colorado. From Grand Junction to Denver, and at our State Capitol, where legislators have proposed cutting funding for safe streets infrastructure, local and state government leaders are prioritizing vehicle speed and driver convenience over the safety and livability of their communities. The results speak for themselves: 716 people, including 149 bicyclists and pedestrians, died due to preventable traffic crashes in Colorado in 2025. Total traffic fatalities are up 31% over the past ten years, and bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities are up 91%.
“Coloradans and all Americans deserve government leaders who have a vision for a transportation system that is safe, accessible, affordable, and climate-friendly for everyone. We deserve leaders who will act with urgency and transparency as they navigate the undoubtedly challenging task of making this vision a reality. Now is the time for those who care about safe streets and transportation options to stand up and speak up: Traffic fatalities are preventable and a result of decades of public policy failures; bike lanes represent smart public investments that improve safety for all users,” said Peter Piccolo, Executive Director of Bicycle Colorado.
As a statewide nonprofit that advocates to expand access to safe biking, walking, and rolling in our state, Bicycle Colorado is calling on all those who care about improving safety on our streets to ride, roll, or walk in solidarity on April 21st to protest the removal of the 15th Street bike lane in DC and demand that our federal, state, and local government officials not only protect existing bike lanes, but expand this essential safe streets infrastructure.
Join Bicycle Colorado for a short, community ride starting and ending at the Wash Park Boathouse in Denver on the morning of April 21st. We’ll gather at the boathouse at 7:00 AM and depart at 7:30 AM. We’ll take a slow ride down the Marion Street protected bike lane with stops to say a few words commemorating Alexis Bounds and all those lost to preventable traffic violence. We’ll also be crossing Alameda Avenue, where previously planned safety improvements have been challenged and delayed by the City of Denver. The ride will be approximately three flat miles.
Even if you can’t join us for that ride, this is an opportunity to get on your bike (or mobility device of choice) where you live to ride solo or get a group together anytime, anywhere on April 21st. Save America’s Bike Lane!
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For Media Inquiries:
Ashley Vander Meeden
Bicycle Colorado
720-504-8515 | [email protected]
About Bicycle Colorado
Established in 1992, Bicycle Colorado is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Denver. Their mission is to advocate for all people who ride bikes. They envision a Colorado where all people and communities benefit from safe and accessible bicycling. Learn more at bicyclecolorado.org and follow them on social media: Facebook @BicycleColorado Instagram & X: @BicycleColo
