Notes from climbing Capitol Hill: June 24, 2019

Moving FIRST is introduced

This bill would create a grant program for communities to incorporate technology into transportation systems to improve safety, reduce congestion and improve access and air quality. The League was able to ensure bikes were included throughout: bikeshare systems would be eligible for grants, efforts to leverage the power grid and/or electrifying roadways to support electric vehicles and businesses would include e-bikes, and any funding to encourage automated driving must also minimize any negative impact on other modes, like biking or walking. You can read the Hill sponsors’ press release and the bill language.

Transportation, HUD appropriations on the floor of the House this week

This week, the House is voting on the budget for fiscal year 2020, including transportation. Tomorrow or Wednesday, Rep. Jackson-Lee (D-TX) will make the case in an amendment to set aside existing funding to address bicycling and walking safety. This is more of a messaging bill than one that brings real money, but the League supports and appreciates the effort.

Testing of Automatic Emergency Braking (AEBs)

The League met with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) a few weeks ago and learned that NHTSA is not testing AEBs with bicyclists. Now we are educating congressional offices on this lack of testing, and advocating to change this policy to include bicyclists. 

Upcoming conferences

League staff will be attending the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals Conference in August (Caron and Bill), Safe Routes to School National Conference in November (Ken), and the AASHTO COD & CAT Convening in July (Bill). Reach out if you’ll be there, too–we’d love to see you!