Other Federal Biking Laws

I wrote not too long ago about the Bicycle Commuter Benefits Act of 2006 and it's counterpart in the House (To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters), but when I was checking on them online, I found several other federal laws dealing with cycling and I thought I'd highlight them here.

1. H.R. 4384: Energy For Our Future Act - sponsored by Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) (30 co-sponsors).

Instructs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) designate transit-oriented development corridors in urban areas; and (2) award grants to a state or local governments to construct or improve bicycle transportation facilities in such a corridor.

2. H.R. 722: Securing Transportation Energy Efficiency for Tomorrow Act of 2005 - sponsored by Rep James Oberstar [D-MN] (29 co-sponsors)

Directs the Secretary [of Transportation] to establish: (1) a Conserve By Bicycling pilot program for projects to encourage the use of bicycles in place of motor vehicles;

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income as a qualifying transportation fringe benefit a commuting allowance of $75 per month for individuals who bicycle, carpool, or car-share to work.

3. S. 808: A bill to encourage energy conservation through bicycling - sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) (1 co-sponsor)

Establishes within the Department of Transportation the Conserve by Bicycling Program under which the Secretary of Transportation shall establish up to ten geographically dispersed pilot projects designed to conserve energy resources by encouraging the use of bicycles in place of motor vehicles.

Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of converting motor vehicle trips to bicycle trips.

4. S. 562: Safe Streets and Highways Act of 2005 - Sponsored by Sen Mike DeWine [R-OH] (1 co-sponsor)

Requires a State to allocate a certain amount of funds for bicycle and pedestrian improvements based on a specified formula.

5. H.R. 4640: Future Fuels Act - Sponsored by Rep Jim Gerlach [R-PA] (1 co-sponsor)

award transit grants to construct or improve bicycle transportation facilities in transit-oriented development corridors, including capital projects.

6. S. 1074: Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention America Act - sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) (0 co-sponsors).

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop enhanced standards for the design of roads and intersection controls to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety; and (2) double the percentage of trips made by foot or bicycle while simultaneously reducing crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians by 10 percent.

7. S. 794 Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2005 sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) (0 co-sponsors).

Amends Federal highway law to require each State transportation department to adopt a policy statement ensuring that the needs and safety of all road users (including the need for pedestrian and bicycle safety) are fully integrated into the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of the State's transportation system. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to take necessary actions to double the percentage of trips made by foot or bicycle while simultaneously reducing crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians by ten percent.

Requires the Secretary to allocate certain funds for research that directly benefits the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of the transportation system for nonmotorized users. Requires metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to certify, as part of the certification review of their bicycle and pedestrian programs, that the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians (including people who use wheelchairs and people with impaired vision) have been adequately addressed by their respective long-range transportation plans, including a target level that doubles the percentage of trips made by foot and bicycle.

Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a safe routes to school program for the benefit of children in primary and middle schools; and (2) a task force to study and develop a strategy for advancing such programs nationwide.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a nonmotorized transportation pilot program to construct, in four communities, a network of nonmotorized transportation infrastructure facilities (including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian and bicycle trails) that connect directly with transit stations, schools, residences, businesses, recreation areas, and other community activity centers; and (2) develop specified statistical information on changes in motor vehicle, nonmotorized, and public transportation usage in those communities, and assess how such changes decrease congestion and energy usage, increase the frequency of biking and walking, and promote better health and a cleaner environment.

I've ranked them here by number of co-sponsors, but I have no idea how likely any of these are to pass. I also can't say I know enough about them to endorse any of them - there could always be some amendment outlawing bacon or something and then I'd be upset - but the bills by DeWine, Oberstar (seen here with a bike) and Harkin seem like the best to me. Tom Harkin, it seems, needs to get some friends. What's the deal, does he talk with his mouth full?

In order to achieve my goal of becoming the nerdiest person in the world (you hear that George Will?!) I've signed up for email notifications about these bills.