Speak Up for Federal Bicycle Research
  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) seeks suggestions from
  bicycling and pedestrian professionals, as well as advocates, in
  regards to lines of research that should be pursued within the
  Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health topic area of the 2009 Surface
  Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program
  (STEP).

http://knowledge.fhwa.dot.gov/cops/step.nsf/home/

  STEP, established in the last transportation bill, provides research
  funding for FHWA to better understand the relationship between
  surface transportation, planning and the environment. Non-motorized
  transportation (i.e., Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health) is a specific
  area emphasized in the STEP.  This is a great opportunity to
  demonstrate to the leadership at the Department of Transportation
  (USDOT) and FHWA that there is great interest from
  bicycle/pedestrian stakeholders in advancing national initiatives to
  ensure greater federal investment in transportation infrastructure
  and that expanding funding for bicycling programs is necessary and
  appropriate. Please take a moment to visit the FHWA website link above
to participate in the process and share your comments. Even a quick
  e-mail that says, "I support more bike research as a priority,"
  would be helpful.