Putting Better Biking in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

You may have seen the headlines: Congress is debating a massive $3.5 billion investment in infrastructure that could reshape our transportation system across the nation. We cannot let people who bike be left out of this Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework.

We need your voice today, as key decisions are being made on infrastructure funding. Right now, the Senate is taking the framework from an agreement into a written piece of legislation — and may not go far enough to keep people on bikes and other vulnerable road users safe.

We need senators to support of a framework and bill that includes better biking and walking through equitable access, safe streets for all, and “fix it right” provisions — and incorporates the best ideas from both the Senate and House transportation reauthorization bills. Any Framework that does not prioritize the safety of vulnerable road users is incomplete. 

Top Three League Priorities for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework: 

1. Equitable Access Across Modes. In order to ensure all people have equitable access to transportation systems, agencies should be measuring how zip code, income level, or disability impacts connectivity.  
2. Safe Streets for All. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework must invest in infrastructure that will keep those who bike, walk, or roll safely as they use the road. 
3. Fix-It Right. The nation’s transportation infrastructure is in disrepair. Congress should require states and municipalities to fix existing roads before building new ones and to fix it right by making roads safer and more accessible regardless of whether you are biking, walking, rolling, driving or taking transit.

While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework contains many promising investments, these key pro-bicycling provisions must be included.  In order for the Senate bill to reach its full potential, Senators must ensure that these key provisions are added to make bicycling more accessible to everyone and keep vulnerable road users safe. Further, Senators must also advocate for the final bill to go to the conference committee where the best ideas from both the House and the Senate bills could be included in the final law.