Cycling advocacy organization PeopleForBikes has commended the US Congress for passing the FAST Act, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation, a five-year reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program.
The FAST Act will dedicate US$835 million annually for the first two years, and US$850 million annually for the last three years of the five year period, to bicycle and pedestrian projects. More than US$4 billion in total, these projects include bike lanes, paths and trails and other infrastructure improvements that will make bicycling safer and more appealing for US citizens.
The FAST Act is the first long-term transportation bill approved by Congress since 2004. It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 359-65 and the Senate by a vote of 83-16. President Obama is expected to promptly sign the bill into law.
The FAST Act reauthorizes the principal program that enables cities to plan and build bike projects and seen as is a great victory for the bicycle industry. Nationwide, bicycling generates US$81 billion for the US economy and supports more than 750,000 jobs.
Across the US, there are 4,800 bicycle retailers, 1,895 bicycle suppliers and thousands of bike tourism-related operators — all businesses that should benefit from the passage of this bill.
“PeopleForBikes and the bicycle industry applaud Congress for their hard work and dedication to passing a long-term reauthorization of the surface transportation program,” said PeopleForBikes President Tim Blumenthal.
“This bill will support thousands of jobs and cost-effective bike projects that improve mobility, attract and retain businesses, and boost recreation and tourism.”
