Our Position On Things

A variety of topics come up again and again in bicycling advocacy; the League of American Bicyclists has written position papers summarizing our stance on several of these pertinent issues. To learn more about our positions, or ask about one not listed here, call 202-822-1333 or email bikeleague@bikeleague.org.

Cyclists Equity Statement
Cyclists have the same right to fair and equitable treatment by the government as other road users. The basis for these rights is expressed through the six Es approach that the League supports: Equality, Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Encouragement and Evaluation. See the Full Statement.

Bicycle Safety Education
Creating a safer riding environment for bicyclists is one of the primary missions of the League of American Bicyclists. In an effort to achieve this objective, the League promotes safe and effective bicycling through various awareness and education programs. See the Full Statement.

A Cyclists' Rights to the Road
Bicyclists, like all other road users, need a complete interconnected transportation network. This network may include roads, bridges, tunnels and special bicycle facilities. All of these facilities need to be designed for the convenience and safety of bicyclists. See the Full Statement.

Helmet Use when Cycling
The League of American Bicyclists reiterates its longstanding position encouraging bicyclists to wear helmets and strongly recommends the wearing of helmets that (a) are properly fitted to the rider and (b) meet the bicycle helmet standards of either the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the American Society of Testing and Materials, or the Snell Memorial Foundation. See the Full Statement.

Bicycle vs. Automobile (when they collide)
The League advocates for the rights of cyclists to use our roads and provides safety education to cyclists and motorists alike. Our heritage, and the experiences of thousands of our members who every day share the road with motorists, give us a unique perspective on the plight of cyclists involved in collisions with motorists. See the Full Statement.

Use of Bicycles for Transportation
The League of American Bicyclists supports and encourages the use of bicycles for transportation. The League recognizes the individual, societal and environmental benefits that bicycle transportation offers, especially when such trips represent a transfer to bicycling from personal motorized modes of transport. See the Full Statement.

Bicycle Registration
When done properly, bicycle registration can be an effective tool to recover stolen bicycles and deter theft. It can also assist in the identification of crash victims, especially in the case of children who often carry no identification. See the Full Statement.

Speed Limits and Enforcements
The League of American Bicyclists strongly supports the enforcement of speed limit laws on all roadways, particularly those where bicyclists may ride or are likely to cross. See the Full Statement.

Crisis Situations
Following natural or man-made disasters, or disruptions in transit service, the unique characteristics of bicycling allow it to serve transportation needs that can not be served by other modes. Bicycling does not depend on availability of fuel, and is flexible, personal transportation. It is possible to carry a bicycle past obstacles which block the roads to other vehicles. See the Full Statement.