Publicola reports that HB 1700, a bill that would ease state road design standards to give communities more tools for designing bicycle and pedestrian-friendly roads, has passed out of the House Transportation Committee. The bill is one of many being lead by freshman Representative Joe Fitzgibbon.

Engineering guidelines by the Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) are generally more updated, comprehensive and flexible than the state’s guidelines. The law would allow municipalities to use these guidelines. It could also open the door to even more tools, such as those produced by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO).

If you just got acronymed out, basically this law will make it easier for municipalities to design better, more complete pedestrian- and bike-friendly roads. This is a good thing.