Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act
Summary
The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act would amend the federal highway safety improvement program in Title 23 of the U.S. Code to make it easier to fund projects that improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users. It adds two new eligible project types: connecting existing segments of bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure, and reducing safety risks to vulnerable road users through projects or strategies identified in a state safety program. The bill also expands the kinds of safety plans and local planning processes that can support these projects.
The bill further changes federal cost-sharing rules so certain active transportation safety projects can receive up to a 100 percent federal share. It allows states to use highway safety improvement funds more flexibly, including crediting those funds toward the non-federal match for qualifying projects. It also explicitly recognizes proven safety countermeasures for bicyclists and pedestrians in the federal-aid highway funding framework, which could increase the use of these measures in state and local transportation projects.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend sections 148, 133, and 120 of Title 23, U.S. Code, broadening the scope of federally eligible highway safety improvement projects and increasing funding flexibility for projects aimed at protecting vulnerable road users. States, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, tribal transportation entities, and regional planning organizations could more readily finance bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, Complete Streets efforts, Vision Zero actions, ADA transition-related projects, and other safety plans. The measure would likely shift more federal highway safety dollars toward active transportation infrastructure and safety countermeasures, while reducing the required state or local match for qualifying projects.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill. It was introduced with bipartisan cosponsors, including senators from both parties, which indicates cross-party interest in improving roadway safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or debate in the record supplied here.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or voting history. Based on the bill text, any debate would likely center on the expanded federal role in funding local and state active transportation projects, the potential for up to 100 percent federal financing, and whether directing more highway safety funds toward bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is the best use of limited transportation dollars. Potential stakeholders include state transportation departments, local governments, bicycle and pedestrian advocates, disability advocates, and road-safety organizations.