Progress Made, More Work Ahead for Safer Streets in Vermont

The 2026 legislative session delivered important investments in active transportation and outdoor recreation, but did not advance several key policy updates needed to further improve safety on Vermont’s streets.

Local Motion, alongside our partners in the Transportation for Vermonters Coalition (T4VT), worked constructively with legislators, state agencies, and regional and local partners to elevate the policies impacting Vermonters’ ability to walk, bike, and roll safely. We deeply appreciate the collaboration of our partners, the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and members of both the House and Senate Transportation Committees, and look forward to continued engagement to move our legislative priorities forward.

Closing Outdated Safety Gaps

Status: Introduced; groundwork laid for future action

We advocated for targeted updates to Vermont’s traffic laws, such as improving visibility at mid-block crosswalks. While these proposals were not enacted this session, they were introduced into legislation and discussed in the House Transportation Committee. 

At the same time, several of these safety issues are being explored by VTrans through updates to the Vermont Multimodal Roadway Guide. These forthcoming updates are expected to provide clearer, more consistent direction to towns and communities working to build safer streets.

What this means:
These ideas are moving forward through both legislative and administrative pathways. In the short term, guidance updates will help communities begin addressing some of these safety gaps.

E-bike and E-moto Policy

Status: Limited progress

We supported a statewide effort to clarify rules around e-bikes and e-motos and address emerging issues such as battery risks and path behavior. There was modest progress, including better clarity of e-bike use on rail trails, though a comprehensive statewide framework has not yet been developed.

At the same time, Local Motion is working with partners across the state to help develop clearer policies, enforcement measures, and ordinances related to e-motos. Find resources about e-motos, including shareable handouts and graphics, at localmotion.org/emotos. 

What this means:
As these technologies continue to evolve, there is an opportunity for the State and municipalities to work together to develop clear, consistent guidance that supports public safety. In parallel, Local Motion is working with a coalition of partners to advance thoughtful legislation in the next legislative session.

Removing Barriers to Bike/Ped Projects

Status: Administrative progress underway

We have been working to address historic and archaeological review requirements that may affect the timeline and cost of active transportation projects. This is an area where strong collaboration is yielding meaningful progress. We are grateful for the leadership and partnership of the State Historic Preservation Officer and her team, as well as VTrans and FHWA staff, as we work together to improve and streamline these review processes. 

Together, we are advancing updates that aim to improve review processes and reduce delays, which will better reflect the typically low-impact nature of active transportation projects while continuing to protect Vermont’s historic resources.

What this means:
Administrative improvements are creating a promising path forward, with updates anticipated later this year.

Local Enforcement Tools for Safer Streets and Slower Speeds

Status: Did not advance

The City of Burlington sought authority from the Legislature to use traffic enforcement cameras to address speeding and dangerous driving; however, the proposal did not move forward this session. Local Motion supports the use of automated enforcement tools, with appropriate privacy safeguards, as part of a broader strategy to improve street safety - particularly where traditional enforcement capacity is limited.

We also recognize and share public concerns about privacy, data use, and oversight. As this conversation continues, we will support approaches that are transparent, narrowly focused on safety, and include strong protections for how data is collected, used, and retained.

What this means:
Further dialogue, public engagement, and policy development will be important to identify solutions that improve safety while maintaining public trust and protecting privacy. 

What Passed this Session

The Legislature made meaningful investments that support active transportation and outdoor recreation:

• Stable funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure statewide, including increased grant support and stronger prioritization for bike/ped projects within the Transportation Alternatives Program;

• Continued support for trails, including the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative;

• Funding to support transit and mobility programs;

• Stronger alignment between transportation and climate goals.

For more details on the policies that moved forward in this year’s “T-Bill”, check out T4VT’s recap post: What’s in the T-Bill?

Showing Up Matters

Local Motion staff participated actively throughout the session, testifying and engaging with multiple committees, including the Transportation Committees, and the Commerce and Economic Development and Natural Resources and Energy Committees.

We also participated in Transportation for Vermonters Advocacy Day, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Day, and Tourism Day - key events for relationship building and increasing visibility for our shared priorities. 

Local Motion is deepening our engagement in the legislative process, especially as active transportation continues to face attacks at the federal level. We are excited to have laid the foundation for progress in future legislative sessions.

In the coming year, Local Motion will continue working with legislators, state agencies, and partners to advance our existing priorities and identify new opportunities for safety improvements and transportation investments.

Your Voice Is Important

Legislators benefit from hearing directly from Vermonters about their experiences and priorities.

You can help by connecting with your legislators or municipal leaders and sharing your experiences walking, biking, and rolling on Vermont roads. 

We made progress this year, but not enough. Let’s make 2027 the year Vermont makes measurable changes to active transportation, safer streets, and livable communities.