Blog
Bicyclists Unite to Save Cycling and our Streets
Thank you for responding to another round of attacks on bicycling and walking. Your voices are being heard on Capitol Hill: House and Senate offices are hearing loud and clear that the current proposals for a new highway bill just aren’t acceptable. Both bills threaten to end 20 years of progress in promoting more walkable and bikeable communities.
Congress is about to eliminate infrastructure programs that demonstrably create jobs, improve safety, provide transportation choices, and promote the most energy-efficient of all travel modes: walking and bicycling. All of this without reducing the cost of the overall bill. The Senate bill reduces the small percentage of transportation funding currently targeted to bicycling and walking, and allows States to simply opt-out of bicycling and walking programs entirely – preventing local agencies from investing in these critical transportation safety projects.
Along with our colleagues in the America Bikes coalition, the League has issued an action alert urging Congress to reject entirely the proposed highway bill (H.R.7) in the House of Representatives, and to support the bipartisan Cardin-Cochran amendment to the Senate bill to preserve local control over transportation funds.
The Senate and House Bill are unprecedented attacks on the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Take action today, pass the action alert to your friends and family, and register for the National Bike Summit this March 20-22 in Washington, D.C. This event is critical for bicycling, and we need cyclists to speak up and let their Members of Congress know how important bicycling is to them and their community. Contact your Senators and Representatives today – tell them that we bike, and we vote. Together we can save cycling!
Andy Clarke
League President
Andy Clarke was appointed to the position of Executive Director in April of 2004 after successfully leading efforts to create, interpret and implement the various transportation programs that are available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking as the League’s State and Local Advocacy Director. Before joining the League in February 2003, Clarke was on contract to provide technical assistance to the highly regarded Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center on site at the Federal Highway Administration. He is on the Board of Directors for America Bikes, and a member of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycling Professionals.
Subscribe
February 10th, 2012 at 10:14 am
[...] Bicyclists Unite to Save Cycling and our Streets [...]
February 10th, 2012 at 10:39 am
Comment #1 is referrer spam and should be blocked.
February 10th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
I urge you, as my representatives, to reject entirely the proposed highway bill (H.R.7) in the House of Representatives. I also urge you to support the bipartisan Cardin-Cochran amendment to the Senate bill to preserve local control over transportation funds.
The Senate and House Bill are unprecedented attacks on the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. I am a pedestrian and cyclist.
February 10th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
[...] bill that would slash dedicated money for transit and vital programs that help people walk and bike safely. The bill is expected to go before the full House for a vote next [...]
February 10th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
[...] more? Check out this piece by the League of American Bicyclists on the bicycling community’s efforts and coope… in opposition to this [...]
February 12th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
This point being pretty sound. Look forward to reading more.
February 13th, 2012 at 9:40 am
Where can we find more information on how to rally in support of creating a greener more commuter friendly infrastructure?
February 13th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Bikes reduce carbon emissions, combat obesity, promote small business employment, encourage contact with neighbors and the outdoors, relieve stress, and are intergenerational activities. Why must we always beg for even a small piece of federal transportation funding?