REPS. CLARKE AND NEGUSE INTRODUCE THE MAGNUS WHITE AND SAFE STREETS FOR EVERYONE ACT OF 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 5, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: [email protected]

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Joe Neguse (CO-02) introduced the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act of 2026, legislation that would require passenger motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States to be equipped with automatic emergency braking and other advanced crash-avoidance technologies. By modernizing safety standards and closing dangerous gaps in detection technology, this legislation represents a critical step toward safer streets, fewer fatalities, and a transportation system that works for everyone.

The legislation was named in honor of 17-year-old U.S. National Cycling Champion Magnus White, who tragically lost his life in 2023 while training to represent the United States at the Mountain Bike World Championships when a reckless driver hit and killed him on a designated bike path. The representatives met with the parents of Magnus White in January of this year to provide an update on their legislation and reaffirm their commitment to seeing advanced safety features like those that would have saved their son's life become a new universal standard in the United States.

"Preventable tragedies like the loss of Magnus should not have happened, and Congress has a moral responsibility to work towards a future where they never do again. That is why Congressman Joe Neguse and I introduced this legislation requiring passenger motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States to be equipped with automatic emergency braking and other advanced crash-avoidance technologies. The bill ensures these systems operate effectively across the full range of vehicle speeds in both daylight and low-light conditions, and that they can detect and respond to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other vulnerable road users. Furthermore, it requires that these technologies can accurately detect a full range of skin tones, clothing colors, and protective gear, improving road safety conditions for everyone," said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. "I want to thank Jill and Michael White for traveling to Capitol Hill in January to share their memories of Magnus and to shed light on how advanced safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking Systems could have prevented his death. The White family's nonprofit, The White Line, has collected national, state, and local crash data to help identify vulnerable road user risks. They found that from 2001 to 2023, the nationwide vulnerable road user fatality rate increased by nearly 30%. Even more alarming, they uncovered that people of color face significantly higher fatality rates per capita, with Black Americans facing as much as 2.24 times more risk for every one-hundred-thousand fatalities. I am proud to champion this necessary fight alongside my colleague from Colorado, and I thank all those whose efforts and advocacy paved the way to today."

"Each year, there are countless preventable tragedies involving pedestrians and cyclists. The Boulder community knows the pain of this far too well, with the tragic death of Magnus White- an extraordinary young man and an avid cyclist who we lost far too soon," said Congressman Joe Neguse. "I'm deeply grateful for his parents, Jill and Michael White, who've bravely pushed for common-sense reforms that will truly save lives. And I'm honored to join Rep. Yvette Clarke in introducing this critical legislation in the memory of Magnus White."

"We know first-hand that humans fail. That's why vehicle safety technology must be mandatory. Today, with the introduction of the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act, Congress is taking a step that could prevent those failures from becoming fatal. Had the driver's car that killed our 17-year-old son, Magnus, been equipped with existing safety technology, he would be alive today. Lane Assist would have kept the car in its lane. Automatic Emergency Braking would have seen Magnus and stopped the vehicle before impact. Technology could have done what the driver did not. It could have saved our son's life. We are grateful to Representatives Clarke, Neguse, and Trahan for introducing this bill today and ensuring Magnus's story is heard," said Jill and Michael White,The White Line.

"Magnus White was an extraordinary person, cyclist, and gift to this world. His death was a devastating loss for his family, his friends, and the cycling community. Worst of all, it was entirely preventable. With cyclist fatalities at an all-time high, we need to use every tool in the toolbox to make our roads safer," said Jenn Dice, President and CEO of PeopleForBikes. "I commend Congresswoman Clarke and Congressman Neguse for their leadership in introducing the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act of 2026. This bill would equip new vehicles with automatic emergency braking (AEB) technology capable of detecting cyclists and other vulnerable road users. Simply put, this commonsense bill will save lives and is entirely within reach of our automotive and technology partners. PeopleForBikes is proud to support this legislation, and I thank Congresswoman Clarke and Congressman Neguse for honoring Magnus' legacy."

"By simply crossing the street or riding a bike or motorcycle on public roads, at one time or another, each of us are at risk of being involved in a crash. The Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act of 2026 responds to that reality by requiring minimum safety standards for automatic emergency braking (AEB) technology to effectively detect and respond to people outside of a vehicle, including bicyclists and motorcyclists. We thank Reps. Clarke and Neguse for their leadership and urge Congress to include this bill in the surface transportation reauthorization because no one should pay with their life for simply using our roadways," said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

Endorsing organizations: Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, American Motorcyclist Association, Center for Auto Safety, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, Families for Safe Streets, GreenLatinos, Impact Teen Drivers, Just Strategy, League of American Bicyclists, National Safety Council, PeopleForBikes, Ride for Your Life / Sarah's Basket Memorial Fund, Ride Illinois, and The White Line.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

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