Federal highway safety dollars currently focus mostly on car-related improvements. This bill would expand the Highway Safety Improvement Program to specifically cover projects that connect existing bike paths and pedestrian routes, and that reduce risks to vulnerable road users — pedestrians, cyclists, and others outside motor vehicles. It would also let the federal government cover up to 100% of the cost of these projects, rather than the usual 80%, removing a financial barrier for cities and states that want to build safer streets but lack matching funds. The bill is named after Sarah Debbink Langenkamp, a U.S. diplomat killed by a truck while cycling in Maryland in 2022.
Congressional Summary
Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety ActThis bill expands the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to include additional bicyclist and pedestrian safety measures and increases the federal cost share for certain safety projects.Specifically, the bill allows HSIP to fund projects (1) for the connection of two or more segments of existing bicyclist or pedestrian infrastructure, or (2) that are based on a state's plan to improve the safety of vulnerable road users (e.g., bicyclists or pedestrians) in areas identified as high-risk. In addition, the bill allows an increased federal cost share of up to 100% for these projects.The bill also allows an increased federal cost share of up to 100% for transportation projects that meet certain criteria, including (1) the project includes a Federal Highway Administration Proven Safety Countermeasure for bicyclists or pedestrians (e.g., bicycle lanes, walkways, and crosswalk visibility enhancements), or (2) the relevant state strategic highway safety plan includes an emphasis area that is related to vulnerable road users.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-03-10
- Date Added
- 2026-05-02
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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