After the 2019 - 2020 legislative session, a bill was passed with unintended language that led to the installation of a wireless utility pole being installed in the middle of a sidewalk in Omaha. The following back and forth between public officials, the telecommunications company, and mobility advocates ultimately led to the need for a bill (LB 18) to be passed counteracting the previously passed legislation.

Bike Walk Nebraska supports this bill as safe access to sidewalks is a vital part of keeping our communities connected and safe, and this is an example where policy has implications on the everyday lives of Nebraskans.

This bill would allow the Department of Economic Development to develop a grant process for nonprofit bike share operators in Nebraska.

Accessible, safe, and enjoyable bike-share systems impact economic development, infrastructure, education, health, public safety, job opportunities, the environment, and more. Working alongside Heartland Bike Share for years, we’ve seen the impact of effective, connected bike share systems in a community.

Bike Walk Nebraska is a long-standing proponent of bike share systems in the state.

A property tax exemption for landowners, municipalities, counties, accredited land trusts, and nonprofit organizations who provide recreational trail easement on their property of ten cents per square foot.

Bike Walk Nebraska is a proponent of this bill because it generates the opportunity for a mutually-beneficial relationship between landowners and recreational trail projects.

We opposed this bill in 2024 and will again this year. Although the focus of the bill appears to be about how state funding is distributed for transportation projects, of the language the bill removes the statement: “The department shall consider the preservation of the existing state highway system asset as its primary priority…”.

Our opposition is based on the most fiscally responsible policy to be the preservation of transportation systems, rather than the proliferation of more highways that we can’t afford to maintain.

We believe this bill to be a deterrent to progress. Bike Walk Nebraska predominantly works with the Nebraska Department of Transportation and Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. Both of these agencies routinely apply for federal grants for a majority of projects.

Requiring state agencies to gain legislative permission prior to applying for vital funds already designated for our state, would overcomplicate already intensive projects and funding processes.

We are in favor of efficient government processes and establishing fiscally responsible policies, but this bill is not the way to achieve it.

Safe mobility for Nebraskans who live with a disability can be unintentionally impacted by otherwise well-meaning legislation.

An example of why this is needed can be found by looking back at the 2019-2020 legislation session when a bill was passed for the installation of wireless utility poles, and it led to a situation where a new utility pole was installed in the middle of a sidewalk in Omaha.

Considering that a bill to counteract this issue is yet to be passed five years later, shows how this mistake could have been avoided (and spared everyone involved a lot of time) by requiring the consideration and research in how legislation can impact Nebraskans who live with a disability.

Allocates funding for neighborhood associations to invest in infrastructure improvements, public safety enhancements, economic development activities, community events, environmental projects, or other local community-building activities.

Creates a commission to promote development and implementation of improvements to
intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest.

Anytime there’s an opportunity for alternative transportation options, especially if established between our two largest metro areas, Bike Walk Nebraska will support the initiative. Is anyone else dreaming of game day train rides?

Provides state aid to municipalities in the form of grants which may be used to pay for infrastructure projects within the municipalities.