Senate's version of SAFETEA (bicycle-related provision)

The US Senate has started discussion about the SAFETEA proposal--the law that will set US transportation policy for the next six years. Missouri's Senator Bond, who was one of four key senators who drafted the basis of SAFETEA, talked about the legislation on the Senate floor February 3rd.

Senator Bond had this to say:

A key component of the bill before us will go a long way to saving lives by providing funds to States to address safety needs at hazardous locations, sections, and elements. This includes roadside obstacles and unmarked or poorly marked roads that may constitute a danger to motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other highway users.

Here are some of the key provisions of the Senate version of SAFETEA (as I understand it--please note that it is not easy to understand, and I may be MISunderstanding things):

• Spending for bike/ped improvements in a state must be AT LEAST in proportion to the percentage of bike/ped fatalities in that state (and SR2S doesn't count within that percentage).
  
  
• Federal funds can only be used for installing rumble strips in cases where the rumble strips don't interfere with bike/ped mobility.
  
  
• Safe Routes to School is included.
  
  
• If bike/ped travel is permitted on both ends of a bridge, then when built/re-built the bridge will have to safely accommodate bike/ped if it can be done at reasonable cost.

A listing of some of the sections of SAFETEA relating to bicyclist & pedestrian interests is in the "Comments" link at the end of this article.