Mock Congress Research Paper

20th Mock Congress

1st Session
S.____

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

DATE
Mr. Andy Chiu introduced the following bill; which was read once and referred to the Committee on _______.

A Bill
To allow bicycle friendly roads

Be it enacted by the senate by the senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. To authorize funds and build for Federal highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes.

SECTION 2. People should be riding bikes more than driving cars since it spares the air and helps the economy. On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed a five-year transportation bill that funds for federal transportation related spending until 2020. He made a law called “F.A.S.T. Act” which stands for (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) and what is does is help protect bicyclists, build new paths, and street bike lanes. Under the FAST Act, local governments are permitted to choose design guidelines different than those mandated by the state, allowing municipalities to be more progressive if they choose. The FAST Act also allows nonprofit organizations to apply directly for funds, which will make it easier for them to conduct safety and education for safe routes to school programs and run bike share programs. Finally, the FAST Act
establishes a priority safety fund intended to reduce bicycle and pedestrian fatalities in particularly dangerous states. Riding bikes and not driving everyday will help benefit the economy and will decrease the levels of air pollution.

Under the FAST Act, local governments are permitted to choose design guidelines different than those mandated by the state, allowing municipalities to be more progressive if they choose.
Some governments would have more school signs since some cities have more school than others. Most roads today are damaged and cracked from natural disasters so it would probably be better if the roads get fixed so bikers can ride on a smooth surface. This will be providing new safety tools, and establishing new programs to advance critical freight projects. Basically, FAST Act is a down-payment for building a 21st century transportation
system.

The FAST Act also allows nonprofit organizations to apply directly for funds, which will make it easier for them to conduct safety and education for safe routes to school programs and run bike share programs. It also would establish both formula and discretionary grant programs to fund critical transportation projects that would benefit freight movements. Children can feel safe since cars are going to move slower when more bicycle pathways would be made. There would be less cars on the street if people starts to ride bike or use eco friendly automobiles. The roads would be more open and free so the nonprofit organization automobiles can arrive faster, and also make things more quickly. Finally, the FAST Act establishes a priority safety fund intended to reduce bicycle and pedestrian fatalities in particularly dangerous states. The pathways for bikes will be more wide and smooth since most are narrow and damaged pathways. This will also include a pedestrian walkway on one side so there will be no foot traffic. People that will ride bikes can use the side of the road where cars operate and drivers to know when to slow down since bicycles are slower and more nimble than cars. This is also tasked with responsibility to drive efficiently in the permitting process so that cars can be more flexible and respectful towards cyclists. SECTION 3.

With the enactment of the FAST Act, states and local governments are now moving forward with critical transportation projects with the confidence that they will have a federal partner over the long term.