There’s a reason a single protected bike lane in Washington, D.C. is suddenly drawing attention from cyclists hundreds—or thousands—of kilometres away. Because for many advocates, this isn’t just about one safe protected bike lane. It’s a precedent.
In April 2026, Bicycle Colorado called on riders across the state to join a solidarity rally aimed at protecting what’s been dubbed “America’s bike lane”—the 15th Street protected lane in downtown D.C., now facing potential removal following a federal decision. The move has triggered protests in Washington and outside the city, with advocacy groups warning that if a popular and very well-used protected lane can be removed there, no project is safe.
A Flashpoint in Washington
At the centre of the issue is a plan to tear out the 15th Street bike lane, a corridor that serves both commuters and visitors moving through the National Mall area. Built through a public process and funded with taxpayer dollars, the lane has become a key piece of D.C.’s cycling network.
Advocates point to its track record: a reported 91% reduction in bike-injury crashes and a 46% drop in overall crashes along the corridor. It’s the kind of data cities often use to justify building protected infrastructure in the first place.
But now, the lane’s future is uncertain.
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) has filed a lawsuit against federal agencies, arguing that the decision to remove it bypassed required public consultation and environmental review. A ruling is expected just days before planned construction to dismantle the lane.
“The 15th Street bike lanes are one of the District’s highest ridership bike lanes,” said Kalli Krumpos of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association. “This route is a key connection for commuters, tourists, and residents.”
Washington Area Bicyclist Association protest ride
Colorado Steps In
For advocates in Colorado, the situation hits close to home.
Rather than treating it as a distant policy dispute, Bicycle Colorado is framing it as a warning sign. The group is organizing a statewide call to action, encouraging riders to take part in a solidarity ride on April 21.
In Denver, that means a short community ride starting at Wash Park, rolling along the Marion Street protected bike lane—one of the city’s own key pieces of cycling infrastructure. It’s designed to be accessible: a flat, three-mile route, open to anyone who wants to show support.
But the symbolism runs deeper.
“This is an opportunity to stand up and speak up,” said Executive Director Peter Piccolo, of Bicycle Colorado, in a press release, pointing to what he describes as decades of policy decisions that have prioritized vehicle speed over safety.
The rally is being supported by the League of American Bicyclists.
The Bigger Picture: Infrastructure Is Still Fragile
For a cycling audience, the underlying issue will feel familiar.
Across North America, bike infrastructure has grown rapidly over the past decade—but it often remains vulnerable. Projects can take years of planning, consultation, and funding to build, yet still be challenged, delayed, or even removed.
Colorado offers its own example. The press release points to ongoing debates around funding for safe streets infrastructure, as well as local delays to planned safety upgrades. At the same time, traffic fatalities continue to rise: 716 people were killed on Colorado roads in 2025, including 149 cyclists and pedestrians.
And, it’s happening in Canada as well where safe cycling infrastructure is under threat most notably in the province of Ontario where a backwards-thinking government is attacking bike lanes in cities such as Toronto.
That tension—between growing demand for safer streets and resistance to reallocating road space—is playing out in cities across the continent.
Why This Matters for Riders Everywhere
For everyday cyclists, it’s easy to think of bike lanes as permanent once they’re built. But moments like this highlight how contingent that progress can be.
The D.C. case raises uncomfortable questions:
- Can a protected lane be removed even after demonstrating clear safety benefits?
- What happens when political priorities shift?
- And how secure are the networks cities are trying to build?
Cycling advocates argue that the answer is all about collective pressure. The Colorado rally is as much about visibility as it is about policy. It’s a way of reinforcing that these projects aren’t niche amenities, but infrastructure with real safety impacts. We need assurance that the networks we are building not only remain but grow.
And, if it’s one thing we can learn in Washington, it’s the politics matters.