Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Improvement Act of 1991

Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Improvement Act of 1991 - Requires States to obligate not less than three percent of the funds apportioned for Federal-aid highway systems for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways. Increases the obligation ceilings from $4,500,000 to $10,000,000.

Allows the Secretary of Transportation to require States to acquire rights-of-ways reasonably necessary for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Prohibits the Secretary from approving Federal-aid system projects, including bridge projects, that will result in the severance, reduction, or destruction of an existing or potential route for nonmotorized transportation traffic and light motorcycles, unless such project provides a reasonable alternative route or such route exists.

Requires the Secretary to cooperate with State and local officials in developing transportation plans that include development of nonmotorized modes of transportation.

Requires States to survey all public roads to identify hazardous locations which may constitute a danger to bicyclists and to correct such locations.

Permits the use of motorized wheelchairs and electric golf carts on trails and walkways, when State and local regulations allow.

Requires appointed members of the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee of the Department of Transportation to be selected from, among others, organizations representative of bicyclists and pedestrians.

 
HR 2101 IH
102d CONGRESS
1st Session
 H. R. 2101
To amend title 23, United States Code, to provide a minimum level of funding
for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 25, 1991
Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. CLEMENT, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts,
Mr. BONIOR, Mr. DWYER of New Jersey, Mr. EVANS, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. MCDERMOTT,
Mr. HAMILTON, Mr. PEASE, Mr. HALL of Ohio, Mr. GORDON, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. DELLUMS,
Mr. BEILENSON, Mr. MOAKLEY, Mr. FLAKE, and Mr. WHEAT) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Public Works and Transportation
A BILL
To amend title 23, United States Code, to provide a minimum level of funding
for bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways, and for other purposes.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  This Act may be cited as the `Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
  Improvement Act of 1991'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
  (a) FINDINGS- Congress finds the following:
  (1) The United States transportation system requires greater diversification
  in order for the country to retain and improve its economic competitiveness
  in relation with other nations.
  (2) Bicycling and walking have been overlooked as modes of transportation
  by policymakers.
  (3) It is possible and desirable to dramatically increase the number of
  persons who commute by bicycle or foot; since 54 percent of Americans live
  within 5 miles of their workplace and 75 percent live within 10 miles of
  their workplace and, of the over 100,000,000 bicycles owned by Americans,
  only 1 in 40 is used to commute to and from the workplace.
  (4) A transportation system that includes facilities for bicycle and
  pedestrian transportation provides numerous advantages for commuters and
  the Nation as a whole, including reduced traffic congestion, reduced air
  pollution, reduced dependence on imported oil, increased conservation
  of nonrenewable resources of energy, reduced deaths and injuries due to
  accidents between pedestrians and cyclists on the one hand and motorized
  travelers on the other, increased health for those who travel by bicycle
  or foot, and improved preservation of natural habitats, particularly
  environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands.
  (5) Traffic congestion is a serious threat to our Nation's economic
  wellbeing. In 1989, traffic congestion in 39 of the Nation's large urban
  areas cost the country $41,000,000,000 in travel delays, increased fuel
  consumption, and increased auto insurance premiums. Traffic congestion
  currently causes over 2,000,000,000 hours in delays per year. Over the
  next 14 years, congestion on highways will rise by 400 percent and on
  urban thoroughfares by 120 percent.
  (6) The transportation needs of many parts of the country cannot be
  met simply by expanding the size and number of roadways. In urban areas,
  one-half of all urban space is devoted to roads, parking spaces, and other
  motor vehicle facilities. Throughout the country, it is infeasible to meet
  increased travel demands by expanding existing roadways. For example,
  Interstate Route 95 between Miami and Orlando, Florida, would have to
  be expanded to a 40-lane highway to meet expected traffic flows by the
  year 2005.
  (7) Motor vehicles contribute significantly to air pollution. Cars and trucks
  generate 80 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. The average automobile
  emits 9 pounds of hydrocarbons and 62.5 pounds of carbon dioxide each
  year. Accordingly, reduced reliance on cars and trucks can contribute
  significantly to meeting the goals of the Clean Air Act.
  (8) Diminished reliance on motor vehicles reduces America's reliance on
  foreign oil. Currently, approximately half of all oil used in the country
  is imported. Of that amount, 63 percent is used for transportation.
  (9) Nationwide, 20 percent of fatalities on roadways involve pedestrians
  or bicyclists, and in cities, the figure is 50 percent.
  (10) Constructing bicycle and pedestrian facilities is far less expensive
  than building new roadways. A one-mile stretch of bicycle and pedestrian
  path costs approximately $46,000. One mile of a 4-lane highway costs
  approximately $1,000,000.
  (b) PURPOSES- The purposes of this Act are as follows:
  (1) To diversify the Nation's transportation system to enable it to remain
  efficient into the next century and to improve our Nation's ability to
  compete economically with other nations.
  (2) To reduce deaths of and injuries to bicycle and pedestrian commuters.
  (3) To reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, dependence on foreign oil,
  and development of natural environments.
SEC. 3. MINIMUM FUNDING LEVEL.
  Section 217(h) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
  `(h) MINIMUM OBLIGATION REQUIREMENT- Each State shall obligate in a fiscal
  year for projects authorized by subsections (a), (b), (e), and (f) of this
  section not less than 3 percent of the sums apportioned to such State under
  each of paragraphs (1), (2), and (6) of section 104(b) for such fiscal
  year. No State shall obligate more than $10,000,000 of sums apportioned
  for such projects in any fiscal year; except that the Secretary may,
  upon application, waive this limitation for a State for any fiscal year.'.
SEC. 4. RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION.
  Section 109(f) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking
  `bikeways' and inserting `bicycle and pedestrian facilities'.
SEC. 5. PROTECTION OF EXISTING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
  Section 109(n) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
  (1) by inserting `, including bridge projects,' after `title';
  (2) by inserting `, reduction,' after `severance'; and
  (3) by striking `major' and inserting `or potential'.
SEC. 6. TRANSPORTATION PLANNING.
  The fourth sentence of section 134(a) of title 23, United States Code,
  is amended--
  (1) by inserting `explicitly and fully' before `consider all'; and
  (2) by inserting `, including nonmotorized modes,' after `modes of
  transportation'.
SEC. 7. HAZARD ELIMINATION.
  Section 152(a) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting
  after `motorists' the following: `, bicyclists,'.
SEC. 8. OTHER USES.
  Section 217(g) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
  (1) by striking `snow conditions and'; and
  (2) by inserting after `snowmobiles' the following: `, motorized wheelchairs,
  and electric golf carts'.
SEC. 9. NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
  The third sentence of section 404(a)(1) of title 23, United States Code,
  is amended by inserting  `, of bicyclists and pedestrians,' after `owners'.