New Safety Act Offers States 100% Federal Funding for Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Crossings

The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act is fundamentally changing how federal money can be spent on making roads safer for people who aren’t driving cars. This bill targets the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds, making it far easier and cheaper for states to build out infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and even scooter riders—collectively referred to here as “vulnerable road users.” The big headline is that for specific safety projects—like connecting two existing bike paths or implementing proven safety measures—the federal government can now cover up to 100% of the cost.

The All-Access Pass for Bike and Walkways

Historically, states usually have to put up their own cash (a “match”) to get federal highway safety money. This bill cuts that requirement for key active transportation projects. If a state uses specific federal funds (under section 104(b)(3)) for a project aimed at reducing risk for vulnerable road users, the federal share can jump to 100%. Think about that: a city that wants to build a protected bike lane where accidents are common, or finally connect that half-mile gap in the river trail, might not have to spend a dime of local taxpayer money to do it. This is a massive financial incentive for states to prioritize walking and biking safety.

Flexible Funds and Proven Safety

The bill also gets smart about how states manage their money. It allows for flexible financing, meaning states can calculate their required non-Federal match across an entire program or group of projects, rather than project by project. This flexibility makes large, expensive projects easier to finance. Even more interesting, the bill allows states to use their existing HSIP safety funds to cover the non-Federal match required for other projects, if those projects include a safety feature the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recognizes as a “Proven Safety Countermeasure” for cyclists or pedestrians. This is a bit of a funding loop: states can essentially use safety money to help pay for safety money, freeing up state general funds.

What This Means for Your Commute

If you bike to work, walk your kids to school, or rely on public transit that requires crossing busy streets, this legislation is a game-changer. It directly ties federal funding to the implementation of things like leading pedestrian intervals at crosswalks, protected bike lanes, and better lighting—all measures the FHWA has already identified as effective. For example, if your local planning organization has adopted a Vision Zero Action Plan (a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries), they can now leverage this funding mechanism to implement those plans much faster. This shift means less time waiting for local budget cycles and more immediate investment in infrastructure that keeps non-drivers safe. While this is great news for active transportation, it’s worth noting that the flexibility in using HSIP funds as a match could potentially mean less HSIP money available for other traditional highway safety projects, like guardrail replacement or interchange improvements, if states heavily lean on this new option.