We had less than two days to read an 864-page highway bill – the American Infrastructure and Energy Jobs Act – before a Committee mark-up on Thursday at 9:00am. Not only did the proposed bill strip all funding for bicycling and walking programs, but it tore at the very heart of existing provisions ensuring bicyclists and pedestrians at least have a seat at the table when transportation decisions are made at the state and local level.

Together with our colleagues in the America Bikes coalition, we had anticipated the funding attacks and had been working with Republican allies on the committee to prepare an amendment to restore funding. We had not anticipated the fury with which this initiative was greeted by Committee Chairman John Mica, Speaker of the House John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor – they evidently worked hard to dissuade their colleagues from supporting the bi-partisan amendment.

Chairman Mica and the House leadership succeeded in blocking a pro-bike amendment to the House transportation bill, but we made them work for it.

Representatives Petri (WI) and Johnson (IL) were rock stars. Despite the incredible pressure, they held firm and even added a third Republican when the final vote came, Frank LoBiondo (NJ). Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) joined the amendment and helped ensure every Democrat voted for it; fiery support coming from Reps Rahall (WV) and DeFazio (OR). Although we lost by just two votes, I think we left a big impression.

That was in large part due to the thousands of you (18,000 e-mails sent out through our on-line advocacy system alone, tens of thousands more through our allies) who called or e-mailed your Members of Congress on the Committee. This fantastic support made a difference. Several Republican members were truly on the fence right up to the last minute, because they had heard so loudly from their constituents.  Thank you for taking the time to do this.

So what happens now? Well, the bill was finally approved in Committee and is currently scheduled to be debated on the floor of the House during the week of February 13 – it is still a very partisan bill and trying to pass an amendment is going to be extremely tough, should we go that route.

Meanwhile, the Senate MAP-21 bill threatens to spring back into life next week – which means we have to switch gears and ensure a strong “local control” provision is included to enable agencies to access funds for bicycling and walking projects. Senator Ben Cardin is our champion here, and if things do start to move as we expect we will need your help again.

(We honestly don’t control the timing of these things and really appreciate your patience and support as we send out bursts of e-mails asking for your help!)

If – and it’s a big if – both House and Senate complete their bills, including provisions to pay for them, they’ll try to combine them and get them to the President before March 31. Failing that, we will once again be looking at an extension of the current programs, but we won’t be able to let our guard down for a second: we have been warned to expect more attacks on dedicated funding for bicycling and walking programs.

So the madness will continue.

Stay tuned and watch for further e-mails, alerts, blog posts, tweets and posts on our wall, and consider joining us in Washington for the National Bike Summit, March 20-22, 2012.

Andy Clarke
League President

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.

The amendment lost by just two votes. This was a strong showing in a very difficult political environment. The House leadership strongly opposed the amendment, so our thanks goes to Reps. Petri, Johnson, and LoBiondo for standing with their constituents and people everywhere who value walking and biking. If these Congressmen represent you, please let them know you recognize their efforts.

Watch this inspired performance from Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in which he says we’re going back to the pre-1980s in this country:

Let’s keep the fight going at the National Bike Summit.

Here’s the breakdown of the vote. Remember, votes for the Petri amendment are good for biking and walking programs and votes against are bad.

Darren Flusche
League Policy Analyst

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.

UPDATE: You can watch the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee mark up the bill live right now (starting at 9:00am EST).

Here’s League President Andy Clarke on an important vote taking place Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, that may well determine the fate of cycling in the proposed House transportation bill:

Tomorrow, on the day of the House vote on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, Representatives Tom Petri (R-WI), Timothy Johnson (R-IL), and Daniel Lipinsky (R-IL) will submit an amendment to preserve bicycling and walking. The outcome is likely to come down to one or two key votes.

No matter who your Congressperson is, you can TAKE ACTION here.  However, if your Representative is on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it is essential that they hear your voice right now (this links to a different alert for T&I committee member).

Here are all of the members of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. If one of them is your representative, please contact them now. The names in bold really need to hear from their constituents.

Nick J. Rahall, II (WV)
Ranking Member

Peter A. DeFazio (OR)

Jerry F. Costello (IL)

Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)

Jerrold Nadler (NY)

Corrine Brown (FL)

Bob Filner (CA)

Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX)

Elijah E. Cummings (MD)

Leonard Boswell (IA)

Tim Holden (PA)

Rick Larsen (WA)

Michael E. Capuano (MA)

Timothy H. Bishop (NY)

Michael H. Michaud (ME)

Russ Carnahan (MO)

Grace Napolitano (CA)

Daniel Lipinski (IL)

Mazie Hirono (HI)

Jason Altmire (PA)

Timothy J. Walz (MN)

Heath Shuler (NC)

Steve Cohen (TN)

Laura A. Richardson (CA)

Albio Sires (NJ)

Donna F. Edwards (MD)

Darren Flusche
League Policy Analyst

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.

And you can still watch Andy Clarke spell it out here:

 TAKE ACTION TO SAVE CYCLING

Top 10 Reasons the House’s Proposed Transportation Bill is

Bad for Biking and Walking

10. No traffic calming.

 Under current law, traffic calming and bicycle/pedestrian safety are eligible for funding from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The House’s proposed bill would make traffic calming and bike/ped safety ineligible for funding, encouraging faster, more dangerous streets.

 TAKE ACTION

9. More unsafe rumble strips.

 Current law requires that rumble strips on roads “do no adversely affect the safety and mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled.” The proposed House bill eliminates this language, allowing for unsafe placement of rumble strips that create deadly safety hazards for people riding bicycles.

 TAKE ACTION

8. No bike/ped technical assistance.

 Currently, when a state or local community is interested in making their streets safer for bicyclists and pedestrians, they can turn to clearinghouses for information about funding sources, best practices, and other technical assistance. The House’s transportation bill would eliminate bicycle/pedestrian and Safe Routes to School clearinghouses, making it harder for states and local communities to find technical assistance.

 TAKE ACTION

7. No state-level staff support.

 Today’s federal transportation laws require states to keep Bicycle/Pedestrian specialists and Safe Routes to School Coordinators on staff. As huge agencies with thousands of employees, state Departments of Transportation benefit from having one or two people familiar with biking and walking issues. The House bill would eliminate these positions, effectively making state DOTs less familiar with bicycling and walking safety.

 TAKE ACTION

6. No transit funds for bicycling.

Under current law, transit funds can be used for projects that make it safer and easier to ride a bike to and from bus stops, subway stations, and train stations. Even though bicycle parking at transit stations, bike access to transit, and bike-sharing are cost-effective fixes that improve safety, the proposed House bill would eliminate federal support for these projects.

 TAKE ACTION

5. No rail trails.

Current transportation laws allows for the use of federal funding in converting abandoned railroad corridors into walking and biking trails. The House’s proposed transportation bill makes rail trails ineligible for federal funding.

 TAKE ACTION

4. No safe access on bridges.

Under current law, when states do work on a bridge that has bicycle or pedestrian access on either side, they are required to build safe bicycle or pedestrian access across the bridge itself.  Even though it’s only logical that people on traveling by bicycle or by foot should be able to cross bridges safely, the proposed House bill eliminates the requirement that states provide bridge access for walkers and bicyclists when it makes the most sense.

 TAKE ACTION

3. CMAQ is gutted.

Under current law, states can receive Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding to support projects that reduce transportation-related pollution. Currently, states use CMAQ dollars to support bicycling and walking infrastructure, which are proven to help reduce air pollutants by encouraging people to walk or bike instead of drive.

No longer. The House bill would change CMAQ by making congestion reduction, not air quality, the operative measure for eligibility. In other words, in order to qualify for CMAQ funding, a project doesn’t need to reduce air pollution; it just needs to be “likely” to reduce congestion. Under this new definition, the construction of new highway lanes qualifies for CMAQ funding. If the House bill were to become law, states would likely allocate CMAQ funds for highway construction at the expense of bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly projects.

 TAKE ACTION

2. Safe Routes to School is eliminated.

In the House bill’s own words, the Safe Routes to School Program is “repealed.” This wildly successful program helped communities fund transportation infrastructure and education to keep kids safe on their bike rides and walks to school and encourage healthy activity.

Despite the program’s success and very low cost, the House bill would completely eliminate the program, reversing years of progress in making streets safer for kids.

 TAKE ACTION

…And the number one problem with the House transportation bill is…

1. Transportation Enhancements is gone.

For the past twenty years, Transportation Enhancements has helped communities build the sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways that keep people safe on the streets. As less than 1% of all federal transportation spending, this tiny yet effective program financed projects that made it easier, more convenient, and much safer to walk or ride a bike.

The proposed House transportation bill eliminates bicycling’s most significant funding source by making Transportation Enhancements optional. Rather than finding new ways for towns and cities to keep bicycle riders and pedestrians safe on the streets, states will be encouraged to use these dollars to build wider, faster, more dangerous arterials and highways.

Please  TAKE ACTION today to save cycling!

In addition to BikeLeague.org, please visit AmericaBikes.org for more on the transportation bill.

Andy Clarke
League President

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.

For the last 20 years, they’ve had to pretend that they care about other things than highways, cars and trucks. But if the proposed highway bill introduced into Congress yesterday actually makes it into law, they can do away with that pretense. They won’t have to pretend to do anything for people who don’t drive cars; they’ll be able to skip through the public involvement process and environmental reviews; they can override local officials and plant an interstate in your back yard in double quick time – oh, and there will be heavier and longer trucks than ever thundering past your bedroom window, not only on those interstates but on many other roads besides.

Even better, the huge check comes with a variety of complex and intricate financial measures allowing them to leverage those funds and borrow a whole lot more, effectively mortgaging the future of these programs for years to come. Too bad that these agencies are among the least accountable and transparent of any at arguably the least accountable and transparent level of government – really, who knows their state legislators and if they have any effective control over their state DOT?

The House transportation bill hands the states unlimited authority to build highways like this...

...Don't expect anything but more of this...

...and say goodbye to events like this ribbon cutting for a new bike lane.

Surely all this money comes with a big vision and plan, right? Wrong. The bill has no vision or discernible direction short of just handing the keys of the car over to the State DOTs. Of course, it is purportedly about the safety of the traveling public – yet prohibits the funding of red light or speed cameras; eliminates the Safe Routes to School program, and allocates ten times more funding to increasing and speeding up traffic than it does to safety projects. Of course, it is supposedly about relieving congestion – yet eliminates most of the funding for any alternatives to driving alone and promises more and bigger highways for more and bigger vehicles which results in, if the last 60 years of evidence is anything to go by, more people getting stuck in traffic for longer than ever.

Perhaps the bill is about jobs and infrastructure? For sure, it’s about building a lot of highways. Unfortunately, it’s not so much about rebuilding and repairing the highways we’ve already got, which is an admirable goal we can all share AND sustains more jobs than building new highways we then can’t afford to maintain. And sadly there is NO place in the bill for cost-effective programs to create a more walk-able and bike-able transportation system for people that also creates more jobs per dollar spent than new highways.

Of course, we’re biased. The bill would be a disaster for bicycling and walking programs, because they are all gone. That should matter to you whether you ride a bike or not (we’re going to assume that you do walk and need to get across the street every now and then) because the principles of local control, providing transportation choices, and improving the quality of life in communities are important way beyond the bicycling community. That’s what investing in bicycling and walking is all about.

The tiny sliver of funding – just 1.5 percent – currently carved out to serve the needs of people making 12% of trips and comprising 14% of fatal crash victims, clearly is a major irritant to these agencies and their political allies. No doubt they will celebrate the return of this money and each of the 50 agencies can build another few hundred feet of Interstate instead…But it all adds up, right. Because they are also getting back all the money from discretionary programs and a 5% bonus from those high priority projects that won’t be foisted on them this time around.

No wonder this group of 50 people is smiling so broadly this morning; they are getting the closest thing to a blank check that the Federal government is writing these days.

To be fair, there are a few of this group that genuinely does care about local priorities, promoting alternatives, creating more livable communities, and the safety of people other than speeding drivers. We need them to stand up and speak up for the things they care about, because they aren’t going to be able to do them if this bill passes.

Andy Clarke
League President

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.

If you want to support the League and love to ride your bike, do we have a deal for you! We are a beneficiary of Climate Ride for the second year running! Last year, riders raised thousands of dollars for our mission to build a bicycle friendly America, and we hope to use that momentum to build our presence in 2012. You can choose to support us on either of the 5-day Climate Rides: choose the wonderful 5-day, fully supported bicycle ride from New York City to Washington DC this May 19-23, 2012 or set your sights on touring the California Coast this September 9-13, 2012. It is an amazing journey and ‘green conference on wheels’ where people who care about sustainability, renewable energy and bike advocacy pedal together to make a difference. Not only that, but the NYC to DC ride happens during National Bike Month! Click here to learn more about Team League!

If you choose to ride, you would provide much-needed financial support for the League, raise awareness of cycling across the country, engage with other riders, and help build a national network of supporters.  While anyone who rides a bike hints at the strength of cycling to change the world, Climate Ride puts a bullhorn to our voice.

Are you in Washington, DC? If so, join us for a Meet and Greet on February 2nd, 2012 at 6pm!

Learn more about how you can support the League through Climate Ride. Talk with staff from the League, Climate Ride, and our friends at Green America starting at 6:00 pm at the Green America Offices; just one floor up from ours! Past Climate Riders and Climate Ride staff will provide an introduction to the Climate Ride including tips on fundraising and advice on training. This is an opportunity to have all of your questions answered. Light food (pizza) and drinks (beer) will be provided, so you have no excuse not to come!

Location: Green America Office, 1612 K Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006

Please RSVP for the event by emailing Katie Omberg at katie@bikeleague.org (not mandatory, we just don’t want to run out of pizza)!

Learn more about the 2012 Climate Ride and Team League!

Can’t attend the Meet and Greet?  Find out more about Climate Ride by visiting Climate Ride’s site. You can register for $75 (which includes a great jersey, road support, and more), and then you raise at least $2400 to participate in this all-inclusive 5-day bicycle tour. The ride is fully-supported by a team of talented leader-hosts, bike mechanics, medics, and massage therapists. Climate Ride is also one of the ‘greenest’ multi-day charity ride events in the world.

You can join many other people who want to do something to help create a better future for us all. Climate Ride is an exciting way to get involved and experience an amazing adventure, powered by your own energy. I would encourage you to sign up early not only so you have time to fundraise and train, but also because spots fill up!

We hope to see you on the road on Team League! Please visit our team’s page to sign up or make a donation!

~Katie Omberg
League Membership & Events Assistant

Rural areas benefit from significant federal investment in Active Transportation

Federal investment in biking and walking benefits rural areas as much or more than urban centers, according to the report. Rural areas receive almost twice as much funding per capita as urban areas from the federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) program.

The best bargain in the federal budget

Just like in urban areas, investments in walking and biking are remarkably cost-effective. “Because active transportation facilities cost a tiny fraction of roadways, and because there is pent-up demand due to past failures to build safe and convenient bicycling and walking networks, active transportation investments offer taxpayers a far greater return on their money,” the report says. “Additionally, these projects create more good jobs per dollar than large highway projects, and the money stays closer to home in small, local businesses. And when you consider that more Americans biking and walking means less spent on health care to counteract effects of the obesity crisis (the federal government pays 30 percent of all health care costs) and less of our money flowing out of the country to pay for foreign oil, active transportation adds up to the best bargain in our federal budget.”

The need to make the case

This research comes at an important time as bicycling and walking advocates are making the case to Members of Congress that investments in active transportation are critical and beneficial for all Americans. The utility and benefits are not limited to any one geographic area or segment of the population.

To find fatality, obesity, and bicycle network information, including Enhancements and Safe Routes to School projects, for your area and Congressional District, check out this interactive map (click and scroll down).

Darren Flusche
League Policy Analyst

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.

Large rides like RAGBRAI support local economies by bringing thousands of riders to small communities (Photo: Christopher Gannon/The Des Moines Register)

Bicycling generates $364.8 million in direct and indirect benefits to the state of Iowa every year, according to a new study, “Economic and Health Benefits of Bicycling in Iowa.” The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, known as RAGBRAI, may be the most visible expression of this, but it is not alone.

“RAGBRAI is a huge event and known across the world.  Communities in Iowa understand the economic potential of the event.”says Mark Wyatt, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. “This study shows there is a reason to be encouraging more bicycling everyday.”

The study was conducted for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition by the University of Northern Iowa Sustainable Tourism and Environment Program (STEP).  It was sponsored by a grant from Bikes Belong, Creating Great Places, and members of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.

The Iowa Bicycle Coalition hopes that this research will encourage the state to increase funding for bicycling. “This study indicates there is a solid return on investment through trails with more than $21 million being returned to the state in the form of sales tax,” says Wyatt. “There is more we can do, in addition to trails, to encourage more bicycling in Iowa.”

This is just further evidence of the economic impacts of bicycling.

Communities welcome RAGBRAI riders (Photo: Christopher Gannon/The Des Moines Register)

Darren Flusche
League Policy Analyst

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.

Three feet (or more) – it’s the law, it’s safe, and it raises awareness about sharing the streets. But as cyclists often find out, safe passing isn’t always enforced. Since the passage of Vermont’s safe passing law in 2010, Nancy has encouraged reporting violations to law enforcement. Riding on a dirt road in Berlin, VT, Nancy heard a car approaching rapidly from behind.  She pulled off to the side of the road, afraid the car may hit her from behind, only in time to see the car leave the road and tear off its bumper.  Over the next 15 minutes, the driver would pull over, let Nancy pass, then buzz her honking his horn while the passenger screamed at her.  Then they mooned her and sped off.

Nancy reported this harassment, including the unsafe passing, to the Berlin Police Department.  It turns out the same driver on the same evening hit a mailbox and almost a little girl on a bicycle.  The driver was caught and charged with driving under the influence.  Through Nancy’s diligent work and the willingness of the Berlin Police Department to listen to her, the driver was also found guilty of violating the state’s safe passing law.  The driver’s license has since been suspended and substantial fines were levied by the court.

Source: http://shiftinggearsbemidji.com/

As of the 2011 Bicycle Friendly States survey, 20 states throughout the country have a safe passing law.  Cyclists in Nebraska and Indiana are working right now to ensure safe passing distances in their states.  The work doesn’t end with the adoption of safe passing legislation.  The awareness such laws raise is a major benefit for cyclists and motorists who share the road.  But in instances like Nancy’s, there has to be meaningful enforcement of laws that protect cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable users.  Kudos to Nancy and the Berlin Police Department for working together for safe passing in Vermont.

Matt Wempe
League State and Local Advocacy Coordinator

Mr. Wempe joined the League in September 2011. For the three years prior, he worked as a transportation planner and Safe Routes to School Coordinator in Fort Collins, Colo. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Big news today out of Pennsylvania. The PA Senate passed House Bill 170, the Safe Passing Act by a vote of 45 to 5. The bill will now go to Governor Corbett’s desk for his signature.

Read more about who voted for and against the measure at the blog of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

Photo from Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Read our previous coverage of this campaign.

Darren Flusche
League Policy Analyst

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.