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LaHood: “This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.”
When the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood stood on a table at the National Bike Summit to thank the crowd and show his support for bicycling and walking, he was just getting started.
Today, he announced his new Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations. It is simply the strongest statement of support for prioritizing bicycling and walking ever to come from a sitting secretary of transportation.
On his blog, he writes:
Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.
We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
- Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
- Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
- Go beyond minimum design standards.
- Collect data on walking and biking trips.
- Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
- Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
- Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.
Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.
The Secretary ended by thanking the League of American Bicyclists, but we strongly thank him for his words, his energy, and now for his official policy statement. We agree that there is further to go and we look forward to working with the Secretary to get there.
Secretary LaHood speaks to the crowd at the League's National Bike Summit (Photo by Jeffrey Martin)
Secretary Ray Lahood, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and League President Andy Clarke (Photo by Darren Flusche)
The League would also like to thank the 700 people who came to Washington, DC to tell Congress how important bicycling is to this country.
Darren Flusche
League Policy Director
Flusche joined the League in April 2009 and has a B.A. in history from Syracuse University and a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in public policy analysis from New York University.
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March 15th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Fabulous!!!! I wish to thank Ray LaHood for his constant support!
March 15th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
wow! seachange. this is exciting.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Great news! Now, how do we get the state DOTs to implement the “recommendations” on all projects, not just those which are Federally funded?
March 15th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
[...] the Bikeleague.org blog via Bicycle Stories (thanks for the tip, Alan!) AKPC_IDS += "3499,";Popularity: unranked [?] [...]
March 16th, 2010 at 11:54 am
That is great it is coming from the top so it does have some juice.
March 16th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
It’s nice to know that I am not alone; who between Lahood and me will have to hear about my problem before it goes away?
When I asked NHDOT for westbound (bicycle/moped) access to a bridge (connecting two accessible public roads) their response was to erect signs (without warning or explanation) denying eastbound access after over ten years of (accident free) use (almost daily by me).
Safety was never a concern (8’ shoulder, well lit, 45 MPH, never crossing the path of overtaking traffic). When I complained directly (e-mail) to those responsible; I was instructed to “stop bothering” them and communicate through only one person (CC: nobody else). Maybe others will have better luck.
March 16th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Now to get this to the privatized owners (toll authorities) and builders of TX roads. The NTTA for one denies access to all of it’s roads and bridges, if only when all these new Toll roads were built they would consider us as an equal part that would be something..
March 16th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I hope DOT implements these excellent recommendations for state DOTs and communities by using the same equity muscle that FRA, one of the DOT departments, used to stop and re‑allocate $70 Million Of ARRA Funds from Oakland Airport Connector.
March 16th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Talk is cheap.
Let’s actually see some changes and some action.
March 16th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Paul,
The NTTA roads and interstate highways are actually considered Limited Access Highways, and I think it is a Federal restriction from riding bikes on them.
The only place I know of that allows bikes on an interstate is I-15 in southern California, and there are designated bike lanes.
March 16th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Jack,
The federal govt.
provides 90% of the funding for Interstate
routes and 50% for US routes, and sets certain design standards, but it is up to the states to regulate the use of these highways. Oregon allows riding on almost
all freeways except a few urban sections. Cyclists simply ride on the shoulders.
March 16th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
There’s some major problems with this. I like the spirit, but if it’s only transportation agencies getting involved then you’ve already lost. City/urban planners need to start working on making sure that critical resources are readily walkable from anywhere – things like grocery stores, restaurants, banks, etc. In order to do that, you start to need denser populations than you find in typical suburbs. If you don’t get all of the planners to work together – transportation, HUD, and state/local groups of the same focus – you won’t see any major wins.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
[...] Photo by Jeffrey Martin, courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists. [...]
March 17th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
[...] Bicycle and pedestrian advocates from around the country received a pleasant surprise when U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood jumped up on a hearing room table at the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C., to thank the crowd and to reconfirm his support for biking and walking. The next day, LaHood announced a major new DOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation, Regulations and Recommendations. “It is simply the strongest statement of support for prioritizing bicycling and walking ever to come from a sitting secretary of transportation,” the League of American Bicyclists noted on the group’s blog. [...]
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:20 am
[...] off I wanted to mention was in relation to the Bike Summit in which Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood made some pretty bold statements surrounding bicycle, and walkable by extension, environments in transportation decision making. The [...]
March 22nd, 2010 at 4:07 pm
[...] Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations and is what League of American Bicyclists calls “the strongest statement of support for prioritizing bicycling and walking ever to come from [...]
March 23rd, 2010 at 9:07 am
[...] LaHood: “This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.” [...]
March 25th, 2010 at 6:14 am
Photo by Jeffrey Martin, courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists
March 26th, 2010 at 10:04 am
[...] for prioritizing bicycling and walking ever to come from a sitting secretary of transportation,” enthused Darren Flusche, policy analyst for the League of American [...]
March 26th, 2010 at 11:20 am
La Hoods recent statement about equity and equivalency among diferent modes of transport sure sounds good. I recall when the State of MD passed legislature known as Access 2000 claiming it was a new dawn for ped and bike mobiltiy and access. Waliking and cycling would , according to the initiative, be part of every new road pr road reconstruct project and on and on. If you live in Maryland you are likely aware that the Policy Statements of Access 2000 were never materialized in the reality of capital projects.
Sure there were a few improvements but anytime the project became a little too expensive , the first things to go were the sidewalks and bicycles lane. Of course the State does include 14 ft curb lanes in designs …a couple extra feet for cyclists, but there have been few new projects where this design feature has been included and on many of the projects, those grade separated roadways, there are no ped or bike improvements at all. While it is true developers who build along State road frontage have to also provide the 14 ft curb lane…all that results in is discontinuous sections of brief comfort for cyclists as they try to run the gauntlet of urban, suburban and exurban road networks. The Policy is great…the practice leaves a lot to be desired.
March 26th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
This is a great start. We have to hope that this policy change will have a “trickle down” effect at the local level, so that cities and towns will incorporate pedestrian and biking issues more aggressively in their long-range planning. Like anti-smoking policies, federal policies and requirements can change what people think of as “normal.” Right now, in many places, “normal” road and sidewalk planning is not always cogniscent of biking and pedestrian needs. Make it stick, Mr. LaHood.
March 27th, 2010 at 7:37 am
[...] for prioritizing bicycling and walking ever to come from a sitting secretary of transportation,” said Darren Flusche, policy analyst for the League of American [...]
March 27th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
[...] for prioritizing bicycling and walking ever to come from a sitting secretary of transportation,” said Darren Flusche, policy analyst for the League of American [...]
March 27th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
[...] See the policy statement on bicycle and pedestrian accommodation and read more at The League of American Bicyclists website. [...]
March 29th, 2010 at 4:53 am
[...] [...]
March 29th, 2010 at 8:01 am
[...] for prioritizing bicycling and walking ever to come from a sitting secretary of transportation,” said Darren Flusche, policy analyst for the League of American Bicyclists. Read more [...]
March 29th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
We cyclists in Central Illinois are mighty proud of Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood (who hails from Peoria) and his strong position for non-motorized transportation.
March 30th, 2010 at 10:24 am
[...] for prioritizing bicycling and walking ever to come from a sitting secretary of transportation,” said Darren Flusche, policy analyst for the League of American [...]
April 6th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Dear Secretary of Transportion Ray LaHood,
I have been trying to get a bike route throug my city Bloomington which is in much need of updating, but I seem to find that our City lacks your Vision. Any advice.
I live in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Sandra Ahaus
May 23rd, 2010 at 11:15 am
I’m happy to see this is coming from the top, I’m sure this is going to happen!
June 24th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Hi This is a great site and found the entry helpful,this will aid my cycling especially when im trying to win,cycling is the best sport and no question why it has exploded in the last 20 years.
August 19th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Great Post!
August 20th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Similar measures are being implemented in London supported by the city’s mayor. I hope in future the world will go greener and people become healthier.
October 27th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood jumped up on a hearing room table at the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C., to thank the crowd and to reconfirm his support for biking and walking
December 27th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
This is the best news of 2010 so far. Thank you Secretary LaHood
March 3rd, 2011 at 11:28 pm
All things are difficult before they are easy.
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