Safe Routes to School Expansion Act

Safe Routes to School Expansion Act

This bill expands eligibility under the Highway Safety Improvement Program to include certain safety projects related to safe routes to school infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, signage, bus stop shelters or protected waiting areas.

The bill increases the federal share for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to fund improvements for pedestrian or bicyclist safety, safety of people with disabilities, and safe routes to school infrastructure.

DOT must also carry out a safe routes to school program for the benefit of children in primary, middle, and high schools.

Bill 117 HR 386, also known as the Safe Routes to School Expansion Act, aims to expand the existing Safe Routes to School program in order to improve safety for students walking or biking to school. The bill proposes to increase funding for infrastructure projects such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes near schools to make it safer for children to travel to and from school.

The Safe Routes to School program was originally established in 2005 to address the growing concerns about childhood obesity and traffic-related injuries among students. The program has been successful in promoting physical activity and reducing the number of accidents involving school children.

If passed, Bill 117 HR 386 would allocate additional funding to states and local governments to implement safety improvements around schools. This could include installing traffic signals, speed bumps, and other measures to slow down traffic and create safer routes for students. The bill also emphasizes the importance of educating students and parents about pedestrian and bicycle safety. Overall, the Safe Routes to School Expansion Act aims to create a safer and healthier environment for students by making it easier and safer for them to walk or bike to school. The bill has received bipartisan support and is currently under consideration in Congress.