Proposed Bill Would Direct Funds to Road Safety

A bill introduced in the U.S. Congress would secure federal funding for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, reports Ginny Bixby in Bethesda Magazine.

The bill, the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, is named in honor of a U.S. diplomat who was killed while riding her bicycle and would allow states and cities to use up to 10 percent of Highway Safety Infrastructure Program funds for bike and pedestrian facilities.

According to Bixby, “This is the second attempt by Raskin and Van Hollen to gain passage of the bill. Last year, the bill didn’t make it onto committee agendas for a vote.” Advocates like Langenkamp’s husband say the bill could help small communities with limited budgets make critical safety improvements.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a similar state act last year, honoring the legacy of Langenkamp, who resided in Bethesda. The law “imposed the same penalties for hitting a cyclist in a bike lane as for hitting a pedestrian or cyclist in a crosswalk – up to two months in jail, and a fine of up to $2,000.”