A key focus of the Safe Routes Partnership is to serve as an advocate for Safe Routes to School and related issues with Congress and the federal government and to monitor implementation of Safe Routes to School funding. Because Safe Routes to School affects communities in so many ways, our legislative priorities include transportation, education, health, and the environment.
Below you will find the latest information on the Safe Routes Partnership’s legislative priorities and calls to action. You can explore the links on the left for detailed information on the current federal transportation law (the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), state implementation, and background on the legislative history. For a comprehensive search of all our resources, conduct an advanced search of our resource library.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Background and Resources
In November 2021, Congress passed a new transportation bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which changes policy and authorizes transportation funding for five years (2022-2026). As part of this law, Congress increased funding and made significant policy changes to programs that fund walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School. Background on the law, the changes it makes to the Transportation Alternatives Program, and its impact on Safe Routes to School is available in our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Background and Resources.
Headlines from the Hill (and Beyond!): An End of Fiscal Year Roundup
October 12, 2022: It’s hard to keep up with all the funding changes, updates, hearings, and appointments as we approach the end of the federal fiscal year. Read our federal policy blog for more details.
Dollars and Deadlines: A State-by-State look at the Transportation Alternatives Program
September 13, 2022: Federal funding for walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School through the Transportation Alternatives Program has increased in every state. But how can Safe Routes to School practitioners, and walking and bicycling advocates identify, apply, and access that money? Read our federal policy blog for more details.
New Program Profile: Reconnecting Communities, Plus: What’s in the Reconciliation Bill for Active Transportation?
August 8, 2022: Explore the new Reconnecting Communities program that focuses on rectifying past harms of transportation investments with $1 billion in funding over the next five years in our federal policy blog.
$1B This Year for new Roadway Safety Program - How Can Safe Routes to School get involved?
July 14, 2022: See how Safe Routes to School practitioners can make sure Safe Routes to School is included in the USDOT funding efforts to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries. Read our federal policy blog for more details.
Guidance is out - What Does it Mean for Safe Routes to School?
June 8, 2022: With so much information releaed on the Highway Safety Improvement Program and the Transportation Alternatives Program, we've compiled the highlights for Safe Routes to School practioners and professionals. Read the deatils in our federal policy blog.
elevating safe routes to school in a safe system approach
March 9, 2022: The passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law paired with the Biden Administration’s release of the National Roadway Safety Strategy makes this a unique moment in to prioritize the safety of people – including young people – in transportation planning and investment. Read our federal policy blog for more details.
special edition: what's going on with legacy safe routes to school funds?
february 9, 2022: This month, we’re taking a look at Safe Routes to School legacy funds and the $103 million remaining for Safe Routes to School infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. Read the deatils in our federal policy blog.
new year, new infrastructure law - tips to kick off 2022
january 7, 2022: Read our federal policy blog to learn ways to take advantage of the positive policy changes and new money included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
safe routes to school: in law, but no dedicated money. What does it mean?
december 1, 2021: What does it mean that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law restores the Safe Routes to School Program, why did it happened like this, and what can you do about it? Read our federal policy blog for more details.
congress passes infrastructrue bill making a historic investment in safe routes to school, walking, and bicycling
November 8, 2021: The House passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and now it advances to President Biden to sign into law. Read what this monumental investment in the safety and support of people walking and bicycling means in our federal policy blog.
Federal transportation funding extended for a few weeks - again!
november 4, 2021: While Democrats continue to iron out negotiations on Build Back Better, the partisan human-infrastructure bill, Congress passed another short-term extension for surface transportation on October 28th. Read all the details in our our federal policy blog.
Deadlines Loom for Infrastructure and Budget as September Rolls Around
september 8, 2021: Congress must reauthorize transportation spending or pass a short-term extension in order to maintain funding for transportation. Read our federal policy blog for more details.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Makes Meaningful Strides Toward Increasing Funding and Improving Safety for People Walking, Biking, and Safe Routes to School
August 4, 2021: A bipartisan group of Senators released the final bill text for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This bill reauthorizes transportation funding through 2026 and incorporates priorities originally identified in President Biden’s American Jobs Act.. Read more in our federal policy blog.
House Transportation Bill Rolls Along
July 7, 2021: The House transportation bill -- with significant improvements for Safe Routes, walking, biking, and rolling -- passed the full House of Representatives last week. Read our federal policy blog for more details, including how this bill may intersect with the bipartisan infrastructure deal that President Biden recently struck with a group of Senators.
House Transportation Bill Takes Even More Steps for Safe Routes
June 8, 2021: The House Transporation & Infrastructure Committee released its version of the federal transportation bill, and it includes many excellent provisions for Safe Routes to School, biking, walking and rolling. Read more in our federal policy blog.
Senate Transportation Bill Is Good News for Safe Routes to School
May 24, 2021: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has released their transportation bill and it includes billions in new funding for Safe Routes to School, biking, walking and rolling. Read more in our federal policy blog.
Making Senate of Infrastructure Stimulus, Earmarks and Surface Transportation Reauthorization
April 4, 2021: For national news followers, it’s hard to open the paper (err - scroll Twitter) and not be bombarded with headlines about President Biden’s plans for infrastructure stimulus and the re-emergence of earmarks after a decade-long moratorium. Read more in our federal policy blog.
REPS. BROWNLEY AND ESPAILLAT'S SAFETY BILL GETS STRONGER WITH REINTRODUCTION
MARCH 2, 2021: The first quarter of fiscal year 2021 has come to a close, which means we have updated our quarterly State of the States TAP implementation tracking spreadsheet. And on Capitol Hill, Representatives Brownley (CA-26) and Espaillat (NY-12) have introduced a new and improved safety bill.
THE 117TH CONGRESS TAKES STRONG FIRST STEPS TOWARD IMPROVING WALKING, BIKING, AND ROLLING
FEBRUARY 5, 2021: The start of the 117th Congress has been eventful to say the least. Between the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th, the Democrats re-gaining control of the Senate with the election of Senators Ossoff and Warnock in the Georgia runoff, former President Trump’s second impeachment, and the inauguration of President Biden, it can be hard to keep track of the flurry of new bills being introduced by members of Congress.
NEW YEAR, NEW CONGRESS: OUR RESOLUTIONS FOR FEDERAL POLICY FOR WALKING, BICYCLING, AND SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
JANUARY 13, 2021: It’s a new year, and it ushers in a host of new beginnings: the 117th Congress, the Biden Administration, and hopefully an end in sight to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As people all around the world make New Year’s resolutions to improve themselves, we would like to share what we have resolved to work toward on the federal policy front this year.