Call to Action

H.R. 3649, the Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act of 2025

Contact Rep. Chuck Edwards to encourage his support of H.R. 3649! You can also send direct emails to Edwards staffer Monika Konrad. Sample messaging below.

Why this matters?

Message from Griffin, the third cyclist who was struck by a dump truck when Lennie and Jacob were tragically killed:

“I need to ask a favor of you all. I recently returned from D.C. where I spent several days lobbying for the Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act. In short, this bill would expand the already required automatic emergency braking systems installed on new cars to detect cyclists (they already detect cars and will soon detect pedestrians). The estimated cost per vehicle of this tech is only $23, and NHTSA estimates it will prevent 52% of fatal collisions — saving over 4500 cyclists lives per year.

We already have democratic support but unless we have some republicans sign on, this bill won't make it. I personally met with Chuck Edwards and I need as many of his constituents to email him as possible.

The ask from me is for you all to email his office and ask him to cosponsor the bill and why it's important to you. If you could share this with others, that would mean the world to me.

This bill could save your life. It could save your child's life, your friend's, your partner's. I hope that none of you have to go through what I went through on July 1.

Time is of the essence here with the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization package.”

Sample Messaging

Please personalize your message to make it most effective. Thanks to our friend Marc for working with Griffin to provide this messaging.

Web-form

Dear Representative Edwards,

I’m a constituent from Asheville, and I’m asking you to support H.R. 3649, the Cycling Safety Promotion Act of 2025. On July 1, my friends Lennie Antonelli and Jake Hill were struck and killed while cycling here in Asheville. Our community is devastated.

This bill would require auto manufacturers to include automatic emergency braking systems on all new vehicles. These systems can detect cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users. Already mandated in Europe, AEB is estimated to prevent 52% of fatal collisions. This is a commonsense step that would save lives in Western North Carolina.

Please support—and consider cosponsoring—H.R. 3649. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(Name & City)

Phone script

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from Asheville.

I’m calling to ask Representative Edwards to support H.R. 3649, the Cycling Safety Promotion Act of 2025.

This is personal for me. On July 1, my friends Lennie Antonelli and Jake Hill were killed while cycling in Asheville. Our community is grieving, and we want safer roads.

H.R. 3649 would require automatic emergency braking systems on all new cars. These systems can detect cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users. They’re already required in Europe and are estimated to prevent about 52% of fatal collisions. This is a proven, life-saving technology.

I respectfully ask that Representative Edwards support—and consider cosponsoring—H.R. 3649.

Thank you for passing along my message.

Full letter (for traditional email or mail)

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

Asheville, NC [ZIP]

[Your Email]

[Date]

The Honorable Chuck Edwards

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative Edwards,

I am writing as a constituent from Asheville to urge you to support H.R. 3649, the Cycling Safety Promotion Act of 2025.

This issue has become deeply personal to me. On July 1, my friends Lennie Antonelli and Jake Hill were struck and killed while cycling in Asheville. Their loss has devastated our community. They were experienced, safety-minded riders, yet the environment around them failed to protect them.

H.R. 3649 would take an important step toward preventing tragedies like theirs by requiring automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems on all new vehicles. These systems are designed to detect cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users. AEB technology is already mandated in Europe and is estimated to prevent approximately 52% of fatal collisions. Implementing these systems nationally would save lives in Western North Carolina and across the country.

This is a practical, data-driven safety measure that would strengthen our transportation system, support local communities, and reduce preventable deaths on our roads.

I respectfully ask that you support—and consider cosponsoring—H.R. 3649. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue further with you or your staff.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our district.