The final federal transportation bill approved by both the House and Senate on Friday will launch a new Safe Routes to School program, and strengthen existing programs that will make it safer and easier for millions of Americans to bicycle and walk.

“This bill will help states provide substantial benefits for adults and children who ride bicycles, and this will benefit America as a whole – by helping people avoid traffic congestion, by producing less air pollution, and by helping more Americans lead active, healthy lives,” says Andy Clarke, President of the Board of America Bikes and Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists.

The new Safe Routes to School program, championed by Representative James Oberstar of Minnesota, is funded at $612 million over 5 years and will help make it safe and convenient for children to walk to school.  Grants administered by state Departments of Transportation will allow communities to build sidewalks, fix hazards, and slow traffic near schools while increasing safety through focused enforcement and education programs.  A smaller new program, the Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program, will grant each of four designated communities $6.2 million annually over 4 years to develop comprehensive networks for bicycling and walking.  The intent is to demonstrate the potential of such networks to shift travel patterns.

The bill, known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act-Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), also strengthens three existing programs of importance to bicycling: Transportation Enhancements, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), and Recreational Trails. The Transportation Enhancements program has been a primary source of funding for multi-use trails and other facilities, and funding for the program is set at approximately  $3.5 billion over 5 years.  CMAQ helps communities improve air quality with non-polluting solutions.  This program will be available in more communities and funding is set at about $8.6 billion over 5 years. The Recreational Trails program uses off-road vehicle fuel taxes to build trails; it will receive a higher portion of the revenue from those taxes, receiving $370 million over five years, $100 million more than the original allocation in the last bill, TEA-21.

“Everyone who contributed funds or contacted their members of Congress – bicycle suppliers, shop owners, advocates, club riders – should be proud that our efforts convinced members of Congress that when America bikes, America benefits,” says Tim Blumenthal, Executive Director of Bikes Belong, the coalition representing the bicycle industry that has provided primary funding for America Bikes. 

 As in any legislation, the final bill fell short of reaching all of America Bikes’ goals. In the final days of House-Senate negotiation the Senate’s Fair Share for Safety provision was removed, which would have required states to spend their safety funds in proportion to bicycle and pedestrian deaths.  Today most states spend only a tiny fraction of those funds on non-motorized safety, despite bicyclist and pedestrian fatality rates averaging 13 percent.  Another disappointment was the Senate’s defeat, by a slim margin, of a provision that would have required the construction of complete streets – roads that safely serve all users.

“Despite these disappointments, we are confident that we have established bipartisan momentum for doing more to make all of our streets safe for bicycling and walking,” says Clarke.

A number of other provisions will also help improve the environment for people who bicycle and walk; please check out our website regularly for additional information on all the provisions.  This information will be updated as details become available.

For more information, contact Barbara McCann at (202) 641-1163.

July 29, 2005

Bill Remains On Course

The progress of the bill was held up last night by Senator Max Baucus’ (D-MT) introduction of a provision to reopen an Air Force base in his state and subsequently the House did not take any further action on the bill.

Nevertheless, we understand that the House will vote on the bill this morning and indicators suggest that a new law will be enacted before the current extension expires Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, we are working through the conference report and will publish some headline analysis shortly before looking at the new law in more depth. Look out for our updated 1 page guides (above) and check back often to see what reauthorization means to bicycling and walking!

July 28, 2005

11^th Extension Passed But End In Sight

Congress passed another extension to TEA-21 yesterday, which extends the legislation through July 30th.  This is the 11^th extension of the legislation since it’s original expiry but lawmakers are confident it will be the last as they close in on agreement.

The conference report was finished late last night and was circulated to conferees for their signature in the early hours of this morning. This latest extension gives both chambers time to vote on the bill and for it to be delivered to the President for his signature.

It is expected that the conference report will be filed officially late this morning. It is likely that the House will vote on it today and the Senate tomorrow, assuming there are no last minute hitches.

July 28, 2005

11^th Extension Passed But End In Sight

Congress passed another extension to TEA-21 yesterday, which extends the legislation through July 30th.  This is the 11^th extension of the legislation since it’s original expiry but lawmakers are confident it will be the last as they close in on agreement.

The conference report was finished late last night and was circulated to conferees for their signature in the early hours of this morning. This latest extension gives both chambers time to vote on the bill and for it to be delivered to the President for his signature.

It is expected that the conference report will be filed officially late this morning. It is likely that the House will vote on it today and the Senate tomorrow, assuming there are no last minute hitches.

July 27, 2005

Conference Report Imminent

Our sources on the Hill tell us that the long awaited reauthorization conference report is near completion and will likely be filed later today. They believe that the report will then be considered by the House tomorrow and by the Senate on Friday.  This would require an 11^th extension for a few days, as the current extension expires tonight.

There has been a good deal of rumor about bicycle and pedestrian provisions within the bill, much of it positive, but nothing has yet be confirmed.

July 22, 2005

10th Extension Approved

As expected, TEA-21 was extended for a 10^th time late last night, giving lawmakers until Wednesday July 27th to resolve differences and present a bill for the President’s signature.

The senior eight House and Senate conferees met yesterday evening in an effort to resolve the dispute over Highway Trust Fund returns. Our sources on the Hill hear that some agreement was reached allowing a minimum rate of return from the fund of 92% by financial year 2009. It seems that there was also consensus on transit funding and optimists now suggest that a conference report may be available by next Tuesday.

July 21, 2005

No Agreement On Trust Fund Formula

Today’s morning meeting of key Senate and House conferees has been cancelled. This is the third consecutive day that conferees have cancelled meetings as both sides appear dug in on the issue of state’s rate of return from the Highway Trust Fund. The conference is scheduled to meet again at 5PM this evening.

The current extension expires at midnight tonight making a further extension seem inevitable. Lawmakers have six working days to get a bill to the President before the August recess.

July 20, 2005

Mini Extension Agreed

Yesterday evening the House and Senate approved a two-day extension of TEA-21, allowing further time to resolve differences the two chambers have over the rate of return states will receive from the Federal Highways Trust Fund.

This will be the 9th extension since the legislation first expired at the end of September 2003, however it’s length is a clear indication that lawmakers expect quick progress.

July 15, 2005

Report Likely Next Week

Conferees and staffers are being tight lipped, but our sources on the Hill tell us that there has been some progress on the bill. It now seems likely that a conference report may be available as early as Tuesday with a further extension until July 22^nd.

July 14, 2005

No Movement On Projects

As we reported yesterday, conferees met last night to further discuss High Priority Projects. We hear that the meeting did not go well, as the Senate continues to insist on 50% of money for these projects. This discussion has a knock-on effect on the rate of return states can expect from the Highway Trust Fund and so is a major issue with potential to slow down reauthorization. Indeed, it looks increasing likely that a conference report will be delayed beyond the current July 19^th reauthorization deadline.

July 13, 2005

Disagreement Over High Priority Projects

While there seems to be a broad consensus among conferees that $286.5 billion will be the eventual headline funding figure for the reauthorized bill, the allocation of money for member’s projects seems to be causing some disagreement. At a lively conference meeting yesterday the House members argued strongly that 60% of projects should come from the House side, while Senators countered that they would only accept a 50-50 split. A further meeting to thrash out this issue is scheduled for late this afternoon.

July 08, 2005

Reauthorization Update

Many America Bikes supporters have taken the opportunity to speak to their Representatives and Senators who have been back in their home states for the July 4^th recess. With seven legislative days left until the end of the latest TEA-21 extension, now is a great time to promote the bicycle and pedestrian agenda.

We know that staff involved in the reauthorization conference have been working hard on many issues over the past week with the expectation that the process can move forward quickly when members return Monday. Again we hear that staff are working with the expectation that the headline funding figure will be $286.5 billion and there seems to be some disagreement over the allocation of money for member’s projects.

Next week may be crucial for the bill – check back for more updates.

July 6, 2005

Final Days of Reauthorization: Don’t Let Up Now! 

After more than two years of debate over the eventual funding level for the next surface transportation bill, we are now inside the final two weeks of action!  

One more call to your members of Congress – or one more meeting while Members are back home in their districts this week – could make all the difference between important pro-bicycling provisions staying in the bill or being left on the cutting room floor! 

As we reported last week, Congress has passed an eighth – and hopefully final – extension to TEA-21 that carries us through July 19^th; and the House and Senate have reportedly agreed on a total funding package of $286.5 billion over the six years of the bill. These two actions mean that the outcome of years of debate, meetings, proposals and negotiations all hinge on decisions made in the next two weeks.  

Now is the time to make sure all the hard work we’ve put in to ensure the law has strong provisions for bicycling and walking comes to fruition. We are extremely grateful that core programs such as Transportation Enhancements and Congestion Mitigation remain in the legislation with robust funding levels.  

However, in the rush to finish the legislation, your call or visits to your members of Congress in the next few days can also help make these critical differences: 

a)      The fair share for safety policy language in the Senate bill is included in the final legislation – this will ensure adequate funding is directed towards improving bicyclist and pedestrian safety

b)      The House funding level (or closer to it) and policy language are adopted for the new Safe Routes to School program – the Senate bill has $312 million over five years compared to $875 million in the House

c)      The House funding level (or closer to it) is adopted for the Recreational Trails program – the Senate bill has $280 million versus $503 million in the House.  

For more information on each of these America Bikes priorities and additional issues, see the fact sheets on each key issue at the top of this page. There's also a one-pager you can send to your contacts. Armed with this information, please contact your Representative and Senators by either

• Calling the capital switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or
• Looking up local contact information at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.

And remember, when America Bikes, America Benefits! Gently remind your Members of Congress that these policies and programs aren’t just good for bicycling; they are good for individuals, the community and the nation.  

Thanks for your help.

July 01, 2005

Extension Passes

Late last night the Senate confirmed an earlier vote by the House to extend TEA-21 a further time.  This is the eighth extension since the original legislation first expired on September 30, 2003 and gives House and Senate conferees until July 19th to reach a compromise on the new bill.

We know that they are close to agreement on many of the issues preventing progress, such as the overall funding figure and changes to the rate of return 'donor' states get from the federal Highway Trust Fund. The details of the legislation are absolutely dependent on what the final overall funding figure will be and while it appears to many observers that the number will be $286.5 billion, there are some on the Senate side who are pushing for a higher figure.

Once this question is resolved we expect progress on the rest of the bill to be rapid. However, Hill insiders tell us that there are no firm decisions yet on bicycling and pedestrian programs so there is still work for us to do.

June 30, 2005

Eighth Extension Imminent

Before the end of today Congress will pass an eighth extension to TEA-21 federal transportation legislation, to give lawmakers more time to reach a compromise.  We understand that the Senate wants a two week extension while the House will vote today on an extension running until July 19th.

Conferees met yesterday and all sides are indicating that there has been steady progress towards coming up with a framework to complete the conference report. However, the details of the bill are absolutely dependent on what the final headline funding figure will be. In an effort to resolve this issue staff met early this morning and Members will meet at 11:30. While it appears to many observers that the number will be $286.5 billion there are some on the Senate side who are pushing for a higher figure.

Once there is agreement on funding, discussion of such contentious issues as the split between the House and the Senate on High Priority Projects and the percentage return to the states from the Highway Trust Fund will continue.

According to sources on the Hill, many of our issues have yet to be resolved but have been considered and will fall into place quickly once agreement is reached on headline issues.

June 23, 2005 

More on Headline Funding 

As far as public statements go, today has been a quiet one in the reauthorization process. However, we hear that there is a consensus building around $286.5 billion as the headline number for the new bill and that staff are working to resolve differences between the House and Senate bills based on the premise that $286.5 billion will be the figure. Movement towards agreement on this issue leaves open the possibility that legislation could be passed by the June 30^th deadline.

June 22, 2005

Senate Conferees Agree Funding Figure

With just eight days to go before the current extension expires there may be some positive news on the ongoing attempt to reach agreement on the headline funding figure. Senate conferees unanimously agreed Monday to split the difference between their original bill ($295 billion) and the House version ($283.9 billion). This offer of $290 billion will be presented to the House conferees which, although it may not be accepted, may help speed up resolution of this issue.

However, when the President met with Senate Republican conferees yesterday he again reiterated his support for the House approved bill. This has been interpreted by many as confirmation that the White House will veto a bill above $284 billion.

With time running out, we believe that a further extension, the eighth since the expiration of TEA-21 on September 30, 2003, is increasingly likely.

June 16, 2005 

Funding Discussion

This morning’s meeting of the Senate conferees to discuss the overall funding level has been postponed.  We don’t know when they will meet and there seems increasing acceptance that another extension will be required, based on the difficult discussions between the House and the White House. Some, however, remain hopeful that all parties can agree on a number next week – of course we are following events closely and will let you know when this significant obstacle has been overcome. Only then will decisions be made on differences between the 2 bills.

PM June 15, 2005 

White House Resolute on $284 Billion. 

Senior White House staff met with senior conference members this afternoon to discuss funding levels and failed to reach agreement. The consensus from the conferees was that a compromise between the Senate and House figures should be reach (around $289.5 billion) while the White House remains committed to $284 billion.  

Senate Republican conferees will meet again this afternoon in an attempt to reach agreement on a figure to present to their Democrat colleagues tomorrow.

AM June 15, 2005

Deadlock Over Funding Levels 

The reauthorization conference committee met yesterday amid much anticipation that a big breakthrough was immanent on the headline funding figure for the bill, following recent statements from House and Senate leaders suggesting $289-$290 billion as a good compromise. We understand that $286.5 billion was proposed on the House side but flatly rejected by some on the Senate side and the meeting broke up. 

Senate conferees met this morning to discuss yesterday’s House offer and it’s reported that a majority of the conferees want a higher number than the proposed $286.5 billion.  They will meet again this afternoon to see if they can come up with such a number and make an offer from the Senate side.  Until they do, it isn’t expected that there will be a joint meeting of the conference, so agreement on this issue remains vital to our agenda. 

June 8, 2005