First State Bikeshare Bill Introduced, But Hopefully Not the Last

In 2024, ROAM Share worked with Nebraska State Senator John Cavanaugh to introduce the first ever bikeshare specific state bill in the US. The aim was to create a grant program of up to $250,000 within the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for nonprofit organizations that operate bikesharing programs. The bill (LB1250) was heard in front of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee with six in-person testimonies in support of the bill including representatives from the City of Omaha, City of Lincoln, and a local university student government representative. While the bill also received over 40 written comments in support, including NABSA, with only 1 opponent, LB1250 was not moved out of committee and was indefinitely postponed as many first time bills are in Nebraska.

This year, ROAM re-introduced the same bill (LB23) with Senator Cavanaugh and appeared in front of the same committee on January 28, 2025. Although the committee’s membership changed slightly, the Chairperson remains the same as in 2024. ROAM organized for additional in-person testifiers which included the same lineup as 2024 but also included AARP, APA-Nebraska, as well as bikeshare riders and nonprofit partners that we work with in providing bikeshare passes. The committee heard from everyone and questioned nearly all the testfiers who provided thoughtful, persuasive responses which seemed to satisfy the committee. The overall feedback we received was very positive, however, Nebraska’s primary focus this year is the state’s deficit. Bills with an attached fiscal note will likely not move out of committee to general file where they would receive additional consideration. No action has been taken on LB23 since the hearing and the current session goes until June. If the Chair of the committee takes no action on the bill like last year, we will have to try again next year.

How did I get a legislative bill to be introduced in the first place? That’s the question everyone wants to know and you need to know that you can do it too… and probably should be exploring this option if you aren’t already. The first thing I started doing was inviting everyone–especially local politicians–to our bikeshare shop for a tour and presentation of all the services we are providing. It’s on this tour that you can show firsthand how bikeshare is more than just riding a bike, and just how impactful it is to the communities we serve and connect. Also offer to take them on a bike ride as well. The e-bikes have been a game changer for this strategy, as I have been able to get most visitors to at least ride a bikeshare e-bike in the parking lot. It’s my opinion that it is advantageous to invite all of your local/state leaders and politicians to learn about bikeshare, no matter how different their views are from yours or anyone else. It’s during these visits that you can discuss what funding strategies they think they could help you with. I started doing these tours in 2019 and got the bill introduced in 2024.

We need to normalize funding from all levels, including state, for bikeshare.  We are providing an amenity, a public service, a utility.