US Congress Passes FAST Act

Dec 4, 2015 – PeopleForBikes commends the U.S. 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 $835 million annually for the first two years, and $850 million annually for the last three years, to bicycle and pedestrian projects. More than $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 everyone.

PeopleForBikes

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 is a great victory for the bicycle industry. Nationwide, bicycling generates $81 billion for the U.S. economy and supports more than 750,000 jobs. Across the country, there are 4,800 bicycle retailers, 1,895 bicycle suppliers and thousands of bike tourism-related operators—all businesses that will 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.”