ODOT Celebrates 55 Years of the Nation’s First Bike Bill

Oregonians celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the Bike Bill in Salem. People of all ages rode bicycles to the event.

Media questions: Jenny Cherrytree
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2026

SALEM —Today, the Oregon Department of Transportation celebrated the 55th anniversary of Oregon’s landmark “Bike Bill.” This law was the first in the nation to require at least 1% of state highway funds to be spent on bike paths and walkways and that bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure be included when building, rebuilding or relocating a road or street.

Press materials:

• B-roll of the event.
• Photos from the event. 

Jenny Hill, the daughter of the late State Representative Donald Stathos, who sponsored the Bike Bill, spoke about her father's passion for building safe paths for people to walk and bike. Stathos was inspired to introduce this legislation after a car ran him off the road while bicycling with Jenny, when she was young.

Signed into law by Governor Tom McCall in 1971, Oregon’s Bike Bill established a groundbreaking principle: public roads should safely accommodate all users, not just drivers. 

As a result, new investment in walking and biking infrastructure in the 1970s included the start of Eugene’s Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System, the Trolley Trail connecting Milwaukie to Gladstone, the Terwilliger Parkway in Portland, the first segment of the Bear Creek Greenway in Medford, the Highway 99W bike path connecting Monmouth and Rickreall, and the Periwinkle bike path in Albany.

Since January 2018, ODOT has funded 129 projects through the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program. The new 2026 Active Transportation Report highlights recent projects across the state.

"The law remains a cornerstone of Oregon’s commitment to building a transportation system that is safe, accessible and connected for everyone," said Andrea Durbin, Interim Director of Public Transportation.  

Governor Tina Kotek signed a proclamation making today, June 11, 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Bill day.

New Oregon Coast bicycle route map released:

• Attendees received ODOT’s newly redesigned Oregon Coast Bicycle Route map, that drives local, national and international tourism along Oregon’s scenic coastline.
• People living in Oregon can order a copy of the map by completing this form.

Speakers included:

• Julie Brown, Chair Oregon Transportation Commission
• Jenny Hill, daughter of the late lawmaker, State Rep. Don Stathos who sponsored the “Bike Bill”
• Earl Blumenauer, Former Congressman 
• Jennifer Dill, Ph.D. Professor, Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning Director, Transportation Research & Education Center 
• Kara Kuh, Chief Marketing Officer, Travel Salem
• Amanda Pietz, Division Administrator, ODOT Policy, Data and Analysis Division

About Oregon's Bike Bill

Passed in 1971, Oregon’s Bike Bill was the first law in the United States to require transportation agencies to build infrastructure for people walking and bicycling as part of road projects. State and local agencies receiving state highway funds must invest at least 1 % of state highway funds on bikeways and walkways, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure must be included when building, rebuilding or relocating roads and streets. This is the process ODOT follows when new projects are introduced, as there are exemptions. 

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Attendees received a free copy of the new Oregon Coast bicycle route map.

Do you know about ODOT's free safety resources for bicycling, walking and rolling?
Order Free Educational Materials to promote safe walking, biking and rolling.

ODOT's Safe Routes to School education programs is another program to help children walk, bike and roll safely in our communities.