Complete Streets Act of 2025
Rep. Cohen Introduces Complete Streets Act to Require Safer Roads for Walkers and Cyclists
The Complete Streets Act of 2025 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to a subcommittee for review, which is the first step before it can move forward. The bill is actively moving through the House committee system.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Every state would have to create a competitive grant program so local governments, transit agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits can get funding to redesign streets for all users, not just cars. States must set up the program within two fiscal years and start giving out grants within three.
From policy text
“Not later than October 1 of the second full fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act, each State shall establish a program for a competitive process for an eligible entity to seek”
View in full text - States would be required to spend 5 percent of their federal highway funding on complete streets projects. Individual grants to local entities would be capped at $20 million or 20 percent of the state's total complete streets funding for the year, whichever is less.
From policy text
“5 percent of the funds apportioned to the State under section 104(b) of title 23, United States Code”
View in full text - Within 180 days after enactment, the Department of Transportation must set new design standards requiring protected bike lanes, accessible sidewalks and crosswalks, and proper lighting. Starting two years later, large federally funded road projects in urban areas must follow these standards.
From policy text
“the Secretary shall establish complete streets design standards that include-- ``(A) dedicated, protected bike lanes with advancing levels of protective design, consistent with the traffic speed, volume, and number of lanes of the road”
View in full text - The bill prioritizes safety for people who are most at risk on roads today, including pedestrians, cyclists, seniors, children, and people with disabilities. Projects at dangerous intersections and corridors get top priority for funding.
From policy text
“the State shall give priority to projects on intersections and corridors in which nonmotorized users are most vulnerable, based on the most recent data and the evidence of risk”
View in full text - The bill specifically aims to ensure underserved communities benefit from the program, requiring that low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, rural areas, and tribal communities are served equitably.
From policy text
“ensure that underserved municipalities, neighborhoods, rural areas, Tribal areas, territorial communities, and people, including low-income people and communities of color, are served equitably by the complete streets program”
View in full text - Accessibility standards from the Department of Transportation and Department of Justice would be updated to adopt new pedestrian facility guidelines, including provisions for people with vision, hearing, cognitive, and language access needs.
From policy text
“to include in those accessibility standards provisions for vision, hearing, cognitive ability, and language access”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
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Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Steve Cohen Introduce 'Complete Streets' Legislation
Lawmakers introduced the Complete Streets Act to ensure municipalities design roads with every user in mind. The bill requires states to allocate 5% of federal highway funds to establish programs for projects including bike lanes, bus stops, and pedestrian signals to improve roadway safety.
Advocates: Here's What to Tell The Feds You Want From the Next Big Transportation Bill
Major advocacy groups are endorsing the Complete Streets Act as a priority for the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization. The bill would phase in requirements that all streets built with federal money align with multimodal safety goals, prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists.
Complete Streets bill introduced in Congress
The bicameral legislation aims to transform public roads by requiring states to direct a portion of federal highway funding toward Complete Streets Programs. The bill targets the rising crisis of pedestrian and cyclist deaths by prioritizing infrastructure for non-motorized road users.
Related Bills
1 billSource Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Complete Streets Act of 2025
Data Sources
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