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Governors Urge Congress to Preserve Bike/Ped Funding
We’re all waiting with bated breath as the members of a Congressional conference committee race to beat the clock on the June 30th expiration of the current extension of the federal transportation bill. Unfortunately, the fate of critical funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs hangs in the balance — despite an overwhelming show of support over the past several months.
First, a survey from Princeton Survey Research Associates showed a staggering 83 percent of the American public wants Congress to maintain or increase federal funding for sidewalks and bikeways.
Then, more than 70 national organizations — from the AARP to the Sierra Club — urged the conferees to preserve local control and access to funding for biking and walking.
Next, the U.S. Conference of Mayors — representing more than 1,300 of the nation’s largest cities — passed a resolution asking Congress to “protect and increase funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs in the next transportation reauthorization law.”
But that’s not all…
Now, 13 Governors from the states of
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Vermont and
- Washington…
have sent a letter to the two main players in the negotiations — Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representative John Mica (R-FL) — urging “the reinstatement of funding for transportation enhancements, providing opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians to have safe and accessible facilities. We support the inclusion of all provisions that encourage a multi-modal approach to our nation’s transportation system.”
C’mon, Congress — Democrats, Republicans, mayors, governors and major organizations representing the interests of millions of Americans all agree: Save local control! Preserve funding for biking and walking!
Click here to read the governors’ full letter.
Carolyn Szczepanski
Communications Director
Carolyn joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. In addition to managing the League's blog, magazine and other communications, Carolyn organized the first National Women's Bicycling Summit and launched the League's newest program: Women Bike. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.
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June 26th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Glad to see a Southern State – NC – in the mix.
I can’t imagine I’ll see the Governor from #50 AR signing on. Probably because the AR Department of Cars and Trucks won’t allow it.
June 28th, 2012 at 3:16 am
[...] support continued funding, as do over 70 national organizations, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and 13 state governors — at least some protected funding for non-motorized traffic appear to have made it into the final [...]
June 28th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
This from Pro-Bike/Pro-Walk’s 2012 Conference agenda:
Contemplating alternative funding future
By the end of this week we will know whether a federal transportation bill is imminent, or whether next week we’ll continue on feeling like Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day: get attacked, mobilize to defend, receive an extension, awake the next day and repeat. Developing a Plan B for your city or state, which does not rely on federal funding to implement your bicycling, walking, or complete streets projects, may soon go from being merely a good idea, to becoming a necessity. At Pro Walk/Pro Bike® 2012 many of our sessions will focus on how better walking and bicycling can be achieved through the right design standards, performance measures, land use planning, safety investments, and advocacy. Here is one such session:
Thinking Outside the Beltway: the Future of Government Funding for Walking & Bicycling
With federal funding for bike/ped investments threatened, we’re at a strategic crossroads and must be more resourceful than ever in advancing active transportation. We’ll highlight successful multi-faceted strategies that have used research, advocacy and communications to secure significant funding and policies for active transportation at the regional and state level, and discuss how California’s landmark greenhouse gas reduction law can frame bike/ped investment as a solution to climate, public health and economic goals.
Moderator:
Laura Cohen, Director, Western Region, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Scheduled Panelists:
Dave Snyder (CA Bicycle Coalition); Kevin Mills (Rails-to-Trails Conservancy); Stuart Cohen (TransForm)