Assistant Leader Neguse Introduces the Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act, In Memory of 17-Year-Old Boulder Resident

Washington, D.C. — House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse, in collaboration with Boulder residents Jill and Michael White, introduced the Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act, named in honor of their 17-year-old son who tragically lost his life while riding his bicycle. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to issue a rule requiring that automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems be installed on all new passenger motor vehicles. AEB systems help detect if there is a pedestrian or cyclist in front of the car and will prompt the vehicle to brake before a collision occurs. 

Last year, Magnus White, a 17-year-old cycling star and member of the United States Junior Men's National Team, sadly lost his life after being struck by a car while biking along Colorado State Highway 119. Advanced safety features, such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems, could have prevented this senseless tragedy and saved the lives of countless other pedestrians and cyclists.

“I am deeply inspired by Jill and Michael’s continued courage and advocacy, turning their pain into purpose and honoring Magnus’s memory by helping to make our roads safer for everyone. The Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act implements common-sense solutions that prevent tragedies and ultimately save lives,” said Assistant Leader Neguse. 

“We can’t bring Magnus back. That pain will never go away. But we can fight like hell to make sure no other family has to live through this. This bill isn’t just about technology—it’s about saving lives when drivers fail. It’s about making sure no one else has to bury a loved one because the system didn’t do enough,” said Jill and Michael White, Magnus’s parents.  

In 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created a minimum performance standard requiring that all passenger vehicles be equipped with AEB systems. In addition, this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a rule to make these systems standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029. The Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act would expand on these provisions to ensure AEB systems also detect both bicycles and motorcycles. 

Read the bill text HERE.  

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