In the early 1990's the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) created the state's first full-time bicycle and pedestrian program. Utilizing funding provided by the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991. Lou Rossi, as Director of the NYSDOT Transportation Planning Division, played a central role in getting the program started, and hired Jeff Olson as NYSDOT Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager.