Urgent Call to Action
- John Seng
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Why Maryland Needs the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act
by Greg Cantori
Every day, pedestrians and cyclists across Maryland navigate our roads with a silent prayer for safety. For Sarah Debbink Langenkamp—a dedicated U.S. diplomat, Bethesda resident, and mother of two—that prayer went unanswered when she was tragically killed while cycling in Montgomery County in 2022.
Sarah's story isn't just a statistic. It's a painful reminder of how our current infrastructure fails our most vulnerable road users and a call to action that we can no longer ignore.
A Transformative Opportunity
The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, reintroduced March 11, 2025 by Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin and Sen. Chris Van Hollen with bipartisan support, represents a crucial step forward in honoring Sarah's memory through meaningful action. This legislation doesn't just commemorate a life lost—it provides practical solutions to prevent future tragedies.
What makes this bill so important? It addresses one of the most significant barriers communities face when trying to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety: funding.
Breaking Down Financial Barriers
The brilliance of this legislation lies in its practical approach. The bill would allow states and localities to use up to 10% of their existing federal Highway Safety Infrastructure Program funds for pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure improvements. This means:
Communities can build sidewalks, bike lanes, and other safety projects without waiting for new federal appropriations
Smaller communities with limited resources will have more flexibility to implement critical safety measures
The current 20% local match requirement under the Transportation Alternatives Program—often an insurmountable hurdle for cash-strapped localities—would be eased
Maryland Is Ready for This Next Step
Our state hasn't waited to take action. Inspired by Sarah's story, Montgomery County and Maryland have already implemented measures to strengthen cyclist protections. Local and state laws have been passed, demonstrating our commitment to safer streets.
The Langenkamp Act builds upon this foundation and aligns perfectly with:
Montgomery County's Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities
The comprehensive Pedestrian Master Plan recently adopted in our state
Maryland's Safe Streets Act and its ongoing implementation
The Human Cost of Inaction
While legislation can sometimes feel abstract, the consequences of inaction are painfully concrete. Every delay means more preventable tragedies like Sarah Debbink Langenkamp's. Every budgetary constraint that prevents a bike lane from being built or a crosswalk from being improved puts more lives at risk.
Dan Langenkamp, Sarah's husband, has transformed unimaginable grief into advocacy through the establishment of Sarah Bikes, promoting safer cycling infrastructure. His words remind us of what's truly at stake: "This is about making sure that no family has to experience what our family has gone through."
The Time for Action Is Now
The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act isn't just another bill—it's a lifesaving opportunity that Maryland cannot afford to miss. This legislation represents smart policy that:
Makes efficient use of existing resources
Removes bureaucratic barriers to safety improvements
Acknowledges the urgent need to protect vulnerable road users
Honors Sarah's memory with meaningful action rather than empty words
Join Us in Supporting This Critical Legislation
Safe Roads Maryland urges all Marylanders to contact their representatives and voice support for the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act. Every call, email, and social media post brings us closer to safer streets for everyone.
Sarah's story could have been different. With your help and this legislation, we can ensure that other families won't face the same heartbreak that the Langenkamp family has endured.
The path to safer roads for all Marylanders is clear. The question is: Will we have the courage to take it?
To learn how you may support passage of the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, contact the offices of bill sponsors Senator Van Hollen and Representative Jamie Raskin:
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