We benefit in Massachusetts from having bicycle-friendly public servants in Washington. Senator Markey recently introduced two key pieces of legislation to help improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety– the Complete Streets Act and the Connecting America’s Active Transportation System Act. These bills ensure investment in bicycle-friendly infrastructure and pathways to help bicyclists ride safer between and within our communities. In the House, we have several representatives who are leaders in bicycling and transportation. Representative Pressley, MA-07, is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus and the Future of Transportation Caucus. Representative Auchincloss, MA-04, and Representative Moulton, MA-06, are on the House Transportation Committee. We have champions for better biking in every district across Massachusetts.

Senator Markey’s Complete Streets Act is one of the bills that National Bike Summit participants from across the country will be asking their elected officials to co-sponsor. This year, the League is also asking for support for the Transportation Alternatives bill and The SAFE Streets Act. Learn more about all the League's asks for this year's Lobby Day:

Transportation Alternatives - HR 463

The original transportation alternatives program created a pathway for local governments to have decision-making power for a small portion of federal transportation funding for local transportation priorities, such as bikeways and sidewalks. This bill will make changes to the original program to restore flexibility to the state while increasing local control to communities.

What it does

• Ensures fair increase in and fair distribution of Transportation Alternatives Funds
• Increases Local Control
• Improves project applications
• Gives States flexibility
• Ensures local governments can access funds before they are transferred
• Prioritizes high need areas

Learn more about Transportation Alternatives in the House. // Learn more about Transportation Alternatives in the Senate.

The SAFE Streets Act - HR 508

The Safe and Friendly for the Environment (SAFE) Streets Act creates a special rule within the Highway Safety Improvement Program to address Vulnerable Road User Safety. Vulnerable road users include people bicycling, walking, or using mobility devices. 

What it does

• Requires US Department of Transportation to rank states based on VRU fatalities and serious injuries (FSI) per capita and MPOs by VRU fatalities per capita.
• States and MPOs who fall above the median must perform a VRU safety assessment to identify high risk corridors for pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users, and suggest projects or strategies to improve safety on those corridors. 
• States with above the median FSI per capita will be required to address areas with high rates of VRU based on their assessments. 
• If a state has MPOs with above the median fatalities per capita, the state must address areas with high rates of VRU based on MPO assessments.

Learn more about the SAFE Streets Act.

The Complete Streets Act - S 425

Complete Streets required communities to plan, design, and build streets for all users. This includes pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users, not just cars and freight vehicles. Over 35 states, including Massachusetts, have Complete Streets Policies. This bill, introduced by Senator Ed Markey, will create a policy at the national level.

What it does

• Strengthens language governing the design of federally funded surface transportation projects to require states and MPOs to adopt and implement complete streets standards, 
• Requires US DOT to create minimum standards for what a local complete streets policy must include, and
• Requires states set aside 5% of their federal highway funding to establish a technical assistance and construction grant program to help local governments build complete streets projects.

Learn more about the Complete Streets Act.

Stay tuned to our Twitter for real-time updates during Lobby Day and join the conversation with MassBike. The League of American Bicyclists is hosting a bike-side chat with Secretary Pete Buttigieg during Lobby Day which we will be posting updates from and we look forward to hearing how this administration plans to support a more bike-friendly country.