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House Bill Threatens to Eliminate Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding
By Mary Lauran Hall, Communications Coordinator, America Bikes
For the past 20 years, the federal Transportation program has included dedicated funding for biking and walking. Over the course of twenty years and three federal transportation laws, federal support for bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure projects has slowly ticked upwards. As a result, more and more communities feature safe roads for people who travel on foot or by bicycle and more people are bicycling — there has been a 40% increase in bicycling from 2000 to 2009 and a surge in Bicycle Friendly Communities.
In 1992, Congress passed ISTEA, the first federal transportation bill to include funding for transit, biking, and walking. As each consecutive transportation bill passed and continued dedicated funding for biking and walking, funding increased from $23 million for 50 new projects in 1992 to $297 million dollars and 971 projects in 2000, to a record $1.2 billion dollars and 3010 projects in 2009.
However, recently there has been a drop in funding and projects — since 2009 — as a result of the decline in stimulus spending that was available for a limited period and uncertainty over the future of the programs. A similar phenomenon occurred between 1997 and 2005. Now, however, a new transportation bill threatens to eliminate federal support for biking and walking infrastructure all together.
Next Thursday, the House Transportation Committee will vote (see timeline) on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill that eliminates crucial funds for biking and walking. Representatives on the Transportation Committee are key positions to save dedicated funding for biking and walking.
The American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, the long awaited multi-year Transportation bill, eliminates the two largest programs that fund biking and walking infrastructure — Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Without these programs, communities all over the country will lose resources to build the sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways that make biking and walking safe and accessible in communities across the country.
We can’t let that happen – take action now and ask your elected officials to preserve biking and walking.
Biking and walking are essential parts of everyday transportation in the U.S., and turning off federal funding for projects that keep Americans safe would represent a significant step backwards.
Federal funding for biking and walking keeps people safe. Two out of three pedestrian deaths take place on roads built with federal funding, and new sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways help end preventable deaths and make roads safer for everyone. Moreover, biking and walking make up 12 percent of all trips, but only 1.5 percent of all federal transportation funding.
America Bikes is working in conjunction with their partners to introduce an amendment that will preserve funding for biking and walking. During Thursday’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee vote in the House, Representatives will have the opportunity to pass this amendment to save biking and walking.
To learn more about this issue and keep up-to-date as the bill moves forward, visit americabikes.org. And please, don’t forget to take action and share the action alert to your fellow bicyclists.
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January 26th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Bicyclists and pedestrians are an intergral part of the transportation equasion and are both cost effective and necessary.
January 26th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
If were going to put policies together for job creation or improve our communities it will need to address what is the standard in Safe.The Full Picture of what economic growth means to everyone. I believe were in a day that Fed or State need to meet where the line is that draw the link to balancing where the Safety should fall. I live in a mixed use development which is new, small but functions well with support from everyone. School, businesses, the built environment, children, Air, Railroad and basically all above that take great part on how we wish to rate our qualities and how we work together. I see a time where sectors need a priority aim, aiming at how our businesses can link into a structure backed by good policies that will minimize the downward of transportation efforts for true connections for improving the movements in how people need to get around and the movement that sustains this system to create job productivity and quality that helps everyone. Schools should have a safe walk to school and those connections have to be supported because I believe the crisis were in will need folks who can see the full picture of how transportation flows. Parking has all to do with time, congestion is money and standards, principles and measurement in engineering for dealing with road designs and the simple thoughts we need for creativity and the affordability discussions within the key positions of those that guide us all in transportation. Our economy needs somethings to connect, interest rates connect to our homes, fuel connects to the cars we drive and I can go on and on…I hope we can find ways to build great roads but most support if have is because when I take my son to school, the congestion and sidewalks he should of had, bothers me and its an old school.
January 26th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
My child and I walk up to my child’s school it is two blocks before we hit sidewalks. I am surprised that someone has not gotten hit. There are cars parked on both sides of Fernhill RD so only one lane of traffic can get through plus people walking children to school with no sidewalks. My child attends Veirs Mill Elementary in Silver Spring.
January 26th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
[...] from The League of American Bicyclists latest alert on the state the Transportation Bill, “House Bill Threatens to Eliminate Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding.” Transportation Bill Heats Up Again in Congress | Streetsblog Capitol [...]
January 26th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Keep non motorized funding available. We need this
to keep the benefits of now and further
generations to enjoy a great non motorized life style.
Healthy body…healthy mind move your body in a safe
and functional way.
Don’t take away funding for alternative transportation!!
January 27th, 2012 at 1:03 am
Does the current version of the bill still prohibit the consideration of bicycle safety or accessibility in banning bicycles from any Federally-owned road with a speed limit of 30mph or higher?
(203(d) in the version that didn’t move last year.)
January 27th, 2012 at 8:32 am
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January 27th, 2012 at 8:55 am
[...] House Bill Threatens to Eliminate Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding (BikeLeague) [...]
January 27th, 2012 at 9:41 am
[...] House Bill Threatens to Eliminate Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding [...]
January 27th, 2012 at 11:02 am
[...] Bikeleague.org Blog » Blog Archive » House Bill Threatens to Eliminate Bicycle and Pedestrian Fund…. [...]
January 27th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Georgia is 45th in the country???? Its time for ga to get with the times and help eliminate traffic and clean up.
January 27th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Hi Josh, it’s the Senate’s transportation authorization bill, S. 1813 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, that includes language that would introduce a mandatory sidepath law on roads in our National Parks and other Federal lands. It would requires cyclists on Federal lands to use a path or trail, instead of roads, if the speed limit is over 30 MPH and a trail exists within 100 yards, regardless of its condition or utility of the path. This is not in the current House bill.
January 27th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
I think your appeal for support for funding would be improved if you asked for funding for walking and biking, and not biking and walking, since the numbers for walkers far exceed the numbers for bikers. The public in greater numbers would then more easily relate to the possible direct benefits.
January 27th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Elections have consequences. If people want to see these programs survive, they better get to the polls this fall and make sure whoever gets elected is on board. In 2010, a huge number of people were elected to the House on the promise of cutting anything and everything they didn’t see as a legitimate Federal expense–and “legitimate Federal expense” to these folks is loaded with political baggage of which bike-walk funding from Uncle Sam is often not part of the deal (take a look at the picture on the House bill cover page–see link below). Its been hard to convince them biking and walking are legitimate Federal expenses. Hell, a lot of these folks deny climate science!!
http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/01/27/house-transportation-bill-a-march-of-horribles/
Wanna change that picture? Roll up your sleeves for the 2012 elections.
Sorry to sound downright partisan, but this House gets it wrong on a lot of issues besides SRTS and TE.I’m not exactly a tax and spend liberal, but some stuff is mission critical to getting this nation on track again.
January 30th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
[...] an excerpt from the League of American Bicyclists post about the latest threat. For the past 20 years, the federal Transportation program has included [...]
January 30th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
[...] on bikeleague.org. For more information about the act and how you can become involved, go to the this article at bikeleague.org or this article at dc.streetblog.org. Bookmark the permalink. ← Sunday [...]
January 30th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
So what?!? Lobby your local leaders for sidewalks and bike paths. Why does the money have to come from the Federal government? It seems like anytime there is a problem in a community, we go running for funds from the feds. Here’s an idea, start a collection and ask your neighbors for help and do it yourself. If you’re expecting everything from the government, you’re walking down the wrong path. Nobody ever takes any initiative anymore. We all expect our leaders to do something. I guess it’s just easier to tax people more so people stop bitching about funding. Your community, your problem, fix it!
January 30th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
I agree with Mark, as long as we apply the same logic to all roads not designated as part of the Interstate Highway System.
January 30th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Mark, are you saying that no governments or taxes should be involved in the building of roads?
The “start a collection” idea is interesting. Should local charities be in charge of building roads?
January 30th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
I would agree with that as well Khal Spencer. It’s too bad that we’ve relied on the Feds to give us money for roads and walkways and then local leaders allocate those monies to stupid programs and projects, and then they cry to the Feds when they don’t have money to fix the roads and bridges. The same thing happens to the teachers, cops and firemen. Money that could be used to proved better resources goes who knows where, then when we run out, we cry that our teachers don’t get paid enough, or that really nice new truck won’t be bought or kevlar vests won’t be ordered. Happens all the time.
With that said, I live in a town where the Blue Ridge Parkway goes through it. On one stretch of the parkway, many many cyclists use it. I think it’s great. It’s a beautiful stretch of road and moderately challenging. However, the road hasn’t been widened at all since it was built. Now, if there was a good use of money, they would stretch that part of the road so that bikes could safely ride in large groups which is normal there. However they picked a stretch of road to include bike lanes on both sides, but did not widen the 4 lanes. This means the lanes are small which means the middle lanes are very dangerous due to the traffic going in oppo directions. Auto accidents have increased 1200%. I’ve never seen a bike on the road, but I was told it would increase bike traffic. Such a joke, and that’s government “helping” us out.
For all of you upset about this law, get over it, tough decisions have to be made and many people are going to be upset because they aren’t getting what they used to. If you ask me, you couldn’t be more selfish.
January 30th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
No, I’m not saying that no government or taxes should be involved. We all use the roads and we should all pay for them through our taxes. The Eisenhower Interstate system was designed by the Feds and they should be responsible for that. I also think that roads designated “interstate” should be the Feds responsibility. I live in a smaller town so I-81, 460, and 220 are the main roads into and out of the town. Those types of roads should be the responsibility of the Feds. I also think corporations should foot the bill too, since their products are transported on these roads. If it weren’t for these roads, they wouldn’t be able to get or sell their products. BUT, if you’re going to complain that you have to walk two blocks on the side of the road because there is no sidewalk and that’s the reason you are opposing this bill, take a punt! Do you think the Feds should pay for your precious little sidewalk or repainting existing roads to include bike lanes? The country does not need to wast $300 million to send to counties and towns to do this where the community could do something.
“Should charities be in charge of building roads?” Yes, I want to see church congregations and homeless people laying asphalt. I answer absurd questions with absurdity.
Of course not, but let’s say I’m the leader of a charity and there is talk about a sidewalk. I get together with a couple other leaders and get together to support the building of the sidewalk. Then, I propose to the local city Board that if we raise this much money, will the city match those funds and deliver what we are looking for. Seems logical. NOPE, people like you just want a handout. Going that route is too hard and you want to go the easy way.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:30 am
[...] of the bike league, they report that bike and pedestrian funding is once again under attack in the Tea Part-addled [...]
January 31st, 2012 at 3:43 am
[...] of the bike league, they report that bike and pedestrian funding is once again under attack in the Tea Part-addled [...]
January 31st, 2012 at 9:46 am
If you notice the charts, before 1992 there was no funding at all. Gosh! I wonder how people got around before then. I mean, I remember walking and riding bikes as a kid, and there were sidewalks and sides of the road…even in 1980. And now you want to cry there is a bill taking away your money. Guess what, I’ve got causes too. I think there should be more baseball fields in every city. My cause is more important to me than yours. I am going to start a blog and cry about it.
January 31st, 2012 at 11:36 am
I’m trying to share your TAKE ACTION link with others, but the ZIP CODE entry box disappears every time they click on it.
Can you please provide a working link to the “Take Action” email system?
tg
January 31st, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@Mark — the Federal government uses its control of transportation funding to impose rules on State and local projects that otherwise would not apply. States can opt out, but Congress isn’t going to cut income taxes to any state just because that state doesn’t play the Federal transportation funding game.
Yes, your local politicians could try to fund adequate sidewalks without Federal grants, but doing so means your Federal income taxes will go to subsidize pet projects in other jurisdictions, while you also pay local taxes for your own infrastructure.
Trying to address this at the local level means you’re being double-taxed for your infrastructure. A real solution has to go through Congress.
January 31st, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Regarding comment 24 from Mr. Steve. One of the reasons the League concentrates on Federal funding is that Federal funds are disbursed to the various states to support roadway maintenance and construction. If these funds come with some Federal stipulations on design and inclusivity, we should ensure the designs consider bicycling. If there is no Federal requirement to provide, for example, accomodation on rural roads, a state that wants to pinch pennies will not provide it. We see that in New Mexico: one particular US route outside Las Cruces, I believe US 70, is marked as a state bike route and also as a US route; it has a 65 mph speed limit. It has a pronounced lip in the pavement midway onto the shoulder. On that road, a Las Cruces doctor was killed about a year ago because he was riding in the lane rather than the impassible shoulder and hit from behind by a pickup being driven at about the speed limit. Picture that. Mind you this is a huge state with few roads. We don’t have choices.
So frankly, as long as the Feds are disbursing money to the states to aid in highway construction and maintenance, you’re darned tootin’ right I want LAB and my state bike organizations to work hard to ensure its done right and not wrong. We have enough Ghost Bikes already.If they can’t do it right, then I don’t want to pay taxes to get it done wrong.
Steve, that doesn’t mean I support every item on everybody’s wish list. We do need to take a keen and critical eye to any project, regardless of whether it is funded by the Fed, State, or Local checkbook. Money is not in unlimited supply, and we do have schools and libraries to keep open. What I object to is the categorical dismissal of bicycling and other non-car options as a national issue. To me, there are national ramifications of policies that promote bad health and fossil fuel dependance requiring us to spend a lot of money keeping sick people alive and guarding sea lanes. Even Ike worried about those issues, and he was a Republican. Heck, I’d even support that midwestern oil pipeline, as long as Americans stop acting as thought it, by itself, is a silver bullet to our energy woes.
January 31st, 2012 at 4:29 pm
[...] out. We’ve been through waves and cycles of thinking it was actually going to happen. Well it’s happening now! It may not make it all the way through the process but it’s the first time that something [...]
January 31st, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Transportation includes walking and biking!
January 31st, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Between the months of april and october I bike 26 miles round trip. do not reduce the funding, my city, ann arbor, mi. has gone to great lengths to keep bikers safe and secure.
January 31st, 2012 at 7:53 pm
In a country that for years has professe the importance of physical fitness, how on earth could we start to go backwards now. In addition, with the cost of gasoline these days, I and many others use our bicucles as our primary form of transportation.
January 31st, 2012 at 9:35 pm
[...] blog of the League of American Bicyclists offers a fine explanation of the history of these programs and what’s at stake [...]
January 31st, 2012 at 9:46 pm
As we are seeing gas prices go up more people are chosing bicycling a way to save gas and our enviormen, how is not the time to cut spending on cycling.
jsteillinggmail.com
January 31st, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Save our greenways, sidewalks and bike paths!!!! They are a critical part of a comprehensive solution to a more eco-friendly environment.
January 31st, 2012 at 11:36 pm
Save our bike paths, walkways for human powered transportation, here’s to clean air and pink lungs!
February 1st, 2012 at 12:20 am
In 2011 we implemented a bike program that provided our employees $500 towards a bike if they agreed to cycle 3x/week for six months. The result: 20,000 miles were cycled and almost all of them were on local bike paths. But the most important thing about this is the health benefit. The work attendance and productivity of these people skyrocketed. Given the national health crisis associated with exercise and obesity, taking away bike paths is one of the worse things one could do. The long term, indirect impact to health care will be felt. Please, consider this and continue to make cycling possible on bike paths.
February 1st, 2012 at 12:22 am
What part of “this country is being crushed under a mountain of Federal debt” do you not understand? Oh I understand, take it from someone else, so we can get ours!
February 1st, 2012 at 12:23 am
I ride my bike over 3000 miles a year. Car stays in the garage and at 59 years old I’m in great shape. I worry about drivers that are distacted. Separate bike corridors or lanes for bikes only can protect us from these drivers. Also shoulders that are wide enough for a bike. It would also be nice if the shoulders were free from debris and overgrown bushes so we are not forced on to the roadway.
Please help!
February 1st, 2012 at 12:23 am
Save our bike paths ! End High health costs . Keep bike paths open and create more bike lanes and paths and you will have a healthier society .
February 1st, 2012 at 1:36 am
Keep our bike paths open whenever you/we can and expand our current projects to ensure the freedom of riding bicycles throughout our country. Remember cyclists have rights too! It is a great sport and recreational activity…say yes to support cyclists everywhere!
February 1st, 2012 at 9:05 am
No, unless it is on Federal property, the Federal Government should not be funding anything on state or local roads. That is for state and local governments to do. I love cycling! I own 4 Treks (including a y-foil!) and a Cannondale CAAD4. People, we have a $1.1 Trillion dollar debt this year alone on the Federal level, most likely $6.4 Trillion added to the national debt in the last four years! Politicians in Washington spend too much of our money every year paying off friends and trying to get re-elected. In the last 3 years TRILLIONS have gone to Obama supporting private sector unions (UAW, SEIU, NEA) and political allies (remember Solyndra?). We cannot afford this. Cowboy poetry, bridges to no where, so-called green energy companies owned by Democrat Party insiders? YES, I am willing to give up expensive Federal funded bike paths to help save our country and our way of life. I has to stop somewhere. Remember THAT in November.
LIVE FREE!
February 1st, 2012 at 9:26 am
I would like to petition for continues funding for bicycle and walking paths all over the country. Walking and Cycling are the healthiest, the best and cleanest mode of transportation.
February 1st, 2012 at 9:28 am
Please continue funding for the cycling and walking paths. They are the healthiest, cleanest, and best mode of transportation all over the country and in the world.
February 1st, 2012 at 10:42 am
Human Power, walking & bicycling help to solve two problems in the US, healthcare and pollution. Bike paths and walkways dovetail well with public transit. Continue the funding, it is part of the solution to our growing transportation and health problems.
February 1st, 2012 at 1:48 pm
We need biking/walking paths for pedestrians. Global warming is becoming a major environmental issue, and what better way to reduce greenhouse gases than to walk or ride a bike. Walking and bike riding are also great ways to incorporate much needed exercise into a person’s day. Please continue to fund projects for walking/biking paths!!!!
February 1st, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Bicycle and pedestrian transportation is essential to a great community. This is an investment in our future that will pay dividends for generations.
Obesity, childhood diabetes, congestion, air quality, rising gas prices, these programs save lives and money.
February 2nd, 2012 at 1:15 pm
[...] Transportation Committee is slated to vote on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill that would effectively eliminate funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School — the two largest federal programs [...]
February 2nd, 2012 at 1:18 pm
[...] Transportation Committee is slated to vote on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill that would effectively eliminate funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School — the two largest federal programs [...]
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:06 am
code de route…
[...]Bikeleague.org Blog » Blog Archive » House Bill Threatens to Eliminate Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding[...]…
February 3rd, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Just dropped by your site by google. Good read.
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Hey Gr8 Info Sharing Nice
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:22 pm
Just dropped by your site by google. Good read.
February 5th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Bike lanes and walking paths disproportionaly decrease other expenses including accidents; including fatal accidents and health problems; including conic life threatening illnesses.
February 8th, 2012 at 11:20 am
To early posters: Learn speaky engrish. I no comprende y0ur bad writing skills.
Seriously?
I mean…
Seriously?
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February 8th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
[...] life (not just fixing a kids obesity problem – which is back to being a parent problem). http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2012/01/house-bill-threatens-to-eliminate-bicycle-and-pedestrian-fun… It is funny to see the response to some of these auto emailers on request them to reconsider the [...]