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The Transportation Bill Passes 92-6
Moments ago, the Senate passed a clean extension on the Transportation Bill with a large margin of 92-6. This means that all current transportation funding and programs will continue to March 31, 2012 — the date the extension expires. During this time we will have much work to do to ensure that bicycling is included in either a long term transportation bill or another extension. The National Bike Summit conveniently takes place on March 20-22 — our final opportunity to tell our representatives that we need bicycling in the transportation bill.
Votes are not made public until 20 minutes after passage of bills but here is the Senate link to keep checking.
Thanks to all of you for taking part in this very important action alert; telling your senators that “I bike. I vote.”; and spreading the word in your clubs and stores, with your colleagues, and on your social media sites. All of your calls and e-mails made the difference.
Meghan Cahill
League Director of Communications
Cahill joined the League in December 2008 and has a BA in Media Communications with a concentration in Italian Studies from the College of Charleston.
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September 15th, 2011 at 7:32 pm
[...] Read the LAB’s full post here. ← Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding Seriously Threatened! [...]
September 15th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Bicycling is one of the best ways to deal with obesity, health, our oil addiction and many other ills of our nation.
September 15th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
On another list, someone wrote:
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According to http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/15/news/economy/coburn_senate_squirrels/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
“According to Coburn’s office, the deal the senator struck with Democrats will allow states to opt out and spend enhancement money on bridge repair and other priorities of their choosing when the bill extension expires in six months.”
Which I read as allowing individual states can choose whether to spend the 10% allocated to non-road projects on roads if they choose.
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So does this mean we’re going to have to pursue this on a state-by-state basis?
September 16th, 2011 at 12:40 am
It means we kicked the can down the road, but at least we didn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater, to link a couple of old metaphors.
September 16th, 2011 at 1:28 am
[...] soon as current transportation funding expires in March 2012, so stay tuned. Read more on the League of American Bicyclists blog. They’ve provided a link that lets you see how your senator voted. Share [...]
September 16th, 2011 at 8:11 am
Did you see this article about the 25th anniversary of the Root River Trail in Minnesota? Opponents at the time called it a waste of money … now see how much money it is bringing the community. Sounds like a nice return on investment to me!
http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_39fa3606-e022-11e0-8de5-001cc4c002e0.html
September 16th, 2011 at 11:08 am
I’m sure Andy and staff will weigh in, but it seems that all these programs in the Enhancements will be scrutinized again next FY. Its going to be extremely important for the cycling community to do what Silvia has just done–show others, especially critics, that at least some of these programs in your communities have positive long term economic gain, so you can make sure critical stuff is defended. Start lining up your ducks, folks!
September 16th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
[...] Bikeleague.org Blog » Blog Archive » The Transportation Bill Passes 92-6. LD_AddCustomAttr("AdOpt", "0"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Origin", "other"); [...]
September 16th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Debt reduction: Walking and bicycling transportation modes are vital for balancing federal, state, local and family
budgets. Road projects funded with federal money need to include walking and bicycling unless their inclusion increases the cost of the project by a specified % of total cost of the project. State monies, check your state, do not have this provision.
Transportation enhancement monies are not luxuries. Walking and bicycling transportation corridors are needed to allow people to safely access serices, school and work.
Balance our budgets by encouraging walking and bicycling.
September 16th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Until it becomes a requirment that all streets having more than two motor vehicle lanes, also have a bike lane, bicycle commuting will continue to be hazardous to one’s health. By keeping bicycle commuting a hazard to one’s health the USA continues to support OPEC and big oil at an unnecessary level. Where I live, there are many streets with two motor vehicle lanes in one direction and three in the other, rather than two in both and bike lanes in each direction for bicycle commuters.
September 19th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Great Article about the Root River Trail in MN.
This is exactly the kind of story that we need to hear about, more importantly, every Congressional Member needs to hear about.
We fully expect at some point in the next six months to fight back more attacks on bike/ped funding.
Now is the time to reach out to your Members of Congress to highlight the impact that bike/ped projects have in terms of job creation and economic boost for their communities and states. This was the message at last year’s bike summit and will be the message again in 2012.
September 26th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
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