Today is a key day in the future of bicycle funding in the United States. The House Transportation Committee has released their proposed version of the new Transportation Bill and it’s very unfavorable to cyclists and walkers. This bill is over two years late and continues to focus on cutting costs.
Over the past 20 years the federal government has grown the support for cycling and walking related transportation projects. Currently biking and walking represent over 12% of daily trips in America, but receive only 2% of the funding toward transportation infrastructure. Since 1992 the growth in funding has been tremendous, as has the growth in Bike / Ped projects. Riders and walkers have responded in kind with a 40% increase in cycling from 2000 to 2009 according to the League of American Bicyclists.
What does this all mean to cyclists? If you commute by bike and use a bike lane you’ve benefitted from this work. If you ride on a separated cycling / walking path you’ve benefited from this. If you lock you bike up outside school, work or your home you’ve benefited from government spending on cycling. The touch points for cyclist and the safety of our streets continue to grow and without the support of our government we risk losing that benefit.
As cyclists we should care about safe streets, better ways to cross busy freeways, better access to our schools, workplaces and homes. We should look at the work the League of American Bicyclists and Bikes Belong are doing and offer our support.
The first step in continuing to make our cities and town safer for cyclists is to tell your member of congress that you support this. When cycling and walking receives less then 2% of all funding and the Transportation Committee want to cut that we know we are in for an uphill fight.
Take a simple action and write your local elected official. Here is a link from the Bike League to help. Make a start and let your voice be heard: TAKE ACTION.
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