Federal funding surge for safer streets for cyclists, pedestrians
S. 944 — Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act · Filed by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) · 11 cosponsors · Introduced Mar 11, 2025 · Referred to committee
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This bill amends federal highway safety law to expand funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects. It allows states to receive up to 100% federal funding (instead of the usual 80%) for projects that connect existing bike/pedestrian paths, reduce risks to cyclists and pedestrians, or implement proven safety measures like protected bike lanes. It also lets states count certain bike/pedestrian safety spending toward their required local cost-share on other transportation projects.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a straightforward expansion of federal highway safety funding eligibility to include bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects, with increased federal cost-share and flexible financing options. It is a targeted public-safety appropriations measure, not a deregulation or carve-out.
What the text implies
- By allowing 100% federal funding for certain bike/pedestrian projects, the bill may shift local transportation priorities away from other infrastructure needs if communities lack matching funds for non-eligible projects.
- The bill's reliance on FHWA determination of 'Proven Safety Countermeasures' creates a regulatory gatekeeping function; projects not pre-approved by FHWA may face funding barriers despite local safety evidence.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
construction and engineering firms specializing in bike/pedestrian infrastructure; local and regional transportation planning organizations; state departments of transportation