[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 162 (Thursday, November 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCTION OF THE BIKE-PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2013

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today, along with my colleagues 
Representative Coble, Representative DeFazio, and Representative 
McCaul, I am introducing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act. This 
legislation requires the US DOT to establish separate measures for 
motorized and non-motorized safety targets with the Highway Safety 
Improvement Program. Under this program, states will set their own 
safety targets and are given the flexibility to choose the best methods 
to meet them. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act encourages states 
to make their roadways safer while acknowledging local needs.
  The need for such legislation has never been clearer. The National 
Highway Transportation Safety Administration recently reported a 2 
percent drop in roadway fatalities, and a 4.6 percent drop for 
occupants of cars and light trucks between 2010-2011. These safety 
improvements, however, have not helped all road users. Even as driver 
and passenger deaths have decreased, the percentage of bicyclist and 
pedestrian roadway deaths has increased. While overall traffic deaths 
have decreased, the number of bicyclists dying on our roadways has 
increased by 9 percent and pedestrian deaths have increased by 3 
percent.
  The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act requires states to address this 
increasing safety concern, while maintaining state flexibility. I look 
forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation and 
protect all roadway users.

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