Senate Passes Final Bill; Rejects Sessions Amendment

The Senate passed SAFETEA, its version of the federal transportation bill, on May 17^th, with significant provisions to benefit bicycling and walking.  Final passage occurred just minutes after the Senate decisively rejected (84-16) an amendment offered by Senator Sessions that proposed drastic reductions in funding for transit and the CMAQ, Enhancements and TCSP programs.
 
The margin of defeat of the Sessions amendment was overwhelming, sending a powerful message that programs that fund transportation alternatives are important elements of federal transportation policy. This is important as the House and Senate head into conference committee to work out differences between the two bills. 

America Bikes coalition members are very grateful for your support in beating back this highly damaging amendment. 

Final SAFETEA Bill Benefits Bicyclists, Pedestrians 

SAFETEA lives up to its name with the new “Fair Share for Safety” provision, which would make sure that safety funds are spent in line with the percent of fatalities among different road users.  America Bikes believes this new focus will dramatically improve bicycling and walking safety.. 

If the best of the House and Senate bills are combined during the conference committee, people who walk or bicycle will benefit from a strong new Safe Routes to School program, as well as continued funding for Transportation Enhancements, Recreational Trails, and other popular programs.   

The planning and program structure of SAFETEA, and the flexibility to use core program funds on bicycling and walking facilities, is preserved in the Senate bill, as well as the House bill.  

Here are some details on what is in the Senate bill for bicycling and walking:

New provisions: 

Safe Routes to School Program

The Senate bill includes a Safe Routes to School Program, a critical new program that will make is safer for children to walk to school.  However, the Senate funding level of $312 million is inadequate.  America Bikes is seeking funding at the House level of $875 million along with the inclusion of House policy language in the final bill.. 

Fair Share for Safety

This provision would direct states to use their federal safety funding in proportion to the percent of fatalities among different road users.  Right now most states spend less than 2 percent of their safety funds on bicycle and pedestrian safety, even though 13 of traffic deaths nationwide are on foot or bicycle.  This provision is not in the House bill. 

Conserve By Bicycling Program

This new program establishes 10 pilot projects throughout the country that conserve energy resources by encouraging the use of bicycles. Unfortunately the funding provisions were stripped before passage. In it's current form the bill instructs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to establish the program but identifies no resources for implementation.

Core Programs: 

The Senate bill continues funding for Transportation Enhancements, a primary source of funding for bicycling and walking, as ten percent of the Surface Transportation Program.  Funding is also continued for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ).  Both of these are in line with the House bill. 

The Senate bill includes funding for the Recreational Trails Program at a level of $270 million, below the House level of $503 million.  This program uses a portion of federal gas taxes for off-road recreation. America Bikes supports the House position.

The Senate bill continues funding of a National Bicycle and Pedestrian Clearinghouse, as does the House bill. 

Miscellaneous stuff: 

The Senate bill includes language that rumble strips must not affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists or pedestrians.  This is not in the House bill.  The Senate bill matches a provision in the House bill directing states and MPOs to include users of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in their planning processes. 

What’s Missing: 

Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program This program would help several communities complete non-motorized transportation networks, to demonstrate that bicycling and walking can carry a significant share of trips.  It is funded in the House bill at $25 million a year, but is not in the Senate bill. 

Complete Streets was offered as an amendment by Senator Harkin in final Senate debate, but fell just short (44 in favor, 53 opposed).  This provision would have required states and regions to adopt policies to ensure that all road projects accommodate people who walk and bicycle. It is not in the House bill.

High-priority projects fund specific projects by Congressional district.  They are a prominent part of the House bill, but are not a part of the Senate bill.

For the entire SAFETEA bill go to the Thomas legislative website.