Rep. Albert Sires (D-N.J.) introduced the New Opportunities for Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Act of 2014 (H.R. 3978), modeled on TIFIA, to promote investment in bike and pedestrian facilities to make streets safer for all modes.
Congressman Albio Sires, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced H.R. 3978, a credit assistance pilot program on Jan. 29 after participating in a hearing the previous day of the "Improving the Effectiveness of the Federal Surface Transportation Safety Grant Programs". Sires asked witnesses at the hearing "how the federal government can make our roads safer for all users," writes Denise Copeland of N.J. com's off-road bike blog.
"More than 30,000 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2012, and 17% of those deaths were our roads most vulnerable users: pedestrians and bicyclists. Yet, only 1.5% of federal transportation funding goes towards making our sidewalks and streets safer for them," said Sires in his press release on the hearing.
His bill is modeled on the successful and bipartisan Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program that "provides Federal credit assistance in the form of direct loans, loan guarantees, and standby lines of credit to finance surface transportation projects of national and regional significance" (according to its Federal Highway Administration webpage).
The New Opportunities for Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Act of 2014 (NOBPIFA) will allow communities to take advantage of low-cost financing for projects that make streets and sidewalks safer for all users through a new federal credit assistance program that would direct millions specifically for low-income communities.
Sires referenced the report, "The New Majority: Pedaling Towards Equity”, published by League of American Bicyclists and the Sierra Club last May in his press release for H.R. 3978.
While the report highlights strong growth in bicycle ridership across America’s communities, it also raises concerns about the significant challenges faced by many underserved communities. To that point, in 2001 the fatality rate was 23% higher for Hispanic and 30% higher for African-Americans when compared to white riders. This legislation would require that 25% of project funding benefit underserved communities, with the goal of creating a more equitable, safe roadway environment for all Americans.
Should the bill become law, one challenge it will have will be to shorten its acronym, NOBPIFA, to make it easier to pronounce.
FULL STORY: Show your support for for the new Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Act
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.