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Entries tagged: Biking And Walking

We’ve been telling you for weeks that our movement is facing a critical moment in the U.S. Congress. The time to act is now just days away.

We expect that early next week the U.S. House will be voting on the 2011 budget. It’s very possible amendments to that bill could devastate or eliminate programs and funding for biking and walking. We hope the efforts of America Bikes, and groups like yours, will prevent the inclusion of such shortsighted amendments, but we need you to be prepared to mobilize your organization, members and supporters. It’s almost certain that we will have less than 24 hours to act!

It’s going to be an incredibly tight window, but the stakes are high. This first vote will inform and influence all the others, so it’s critically important we present a strong, unified voice for biking and walking. Please keep your lines of communication open and ready to blast this crucial action alert as quickly as possible.

Thank you in advance!

Ray LaHood doesn’t need to be convinced that biking and walking should be promoted as critical aspects of our transportation system. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has shown enthusiastic commitment to active transportation projects since he was appointed to his post. But the bike-ped champion was duly impressed in a meeting with bicycle and pedestrian advocates earlier this week.

This afternoon, LaHood recapped the Tuesday gathering that included board members of America Bikes. In the positive post, the Secretary celebrated and circulated the new data they presented. The first study, which came from the Political Economy Research Institute, concluded that bicycle and pedestrian projects provide more job creation than other road construction. The second, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed that 67 percent of Americans support streets design that’s more conducive to active transportation.

“Putting the two studies together creates a powerful argument for continuing the Department of Transportation’s support for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects,” LaHood wrote in today’s blog. “Even as these investments increase mobility, they also generate economic growth. And, people are demanding them for their communities.”

Jeff Miller, Alliance President/CEO, attended the meeting and said LaHood recognized the power of advocates on the ground, who are driving that shift in public — and political — opinion. “LaHood recognized right away the importance of our grassroots work and what our organizations do to make a difference,” Jeff said. “He cited specifically the major victory we had with Representative LaTourette supporting Complete Streets, saying that such a 180-degree turnaround shows the power of the grassroots.”

But LaHood didn’t downplay the difficult days ahead, as Congress works on the next federal transportation bill in a tight, cost-cutting climate. “He said we’ve got our work cut out for us, but also reminded us that the President is still our ally and supports what we do,” Jeff said. “He also said we have strong support in the Senate and, even if the House does something drastic, we have that firewall of the Senate and President. Though, that doesn’t mean shouldn’t work hard on the House!”

But even faced with a challenge on Capitol Hill, LaHood expressed confidence in bike-ped advocates. “Bicycle and pedestrian activists have been very successful at achieving valuable safety gains for their stakeholders. Now is the time for advocates of cycling and walking to get into gear once again,” LaHood wrote. “Armed with the powerful arguments of energy conservation, environmental and health benefits, public demand — and now job creation and economic development — I am confident they will succeed.”

Read LaHood’s entire post here.

Photo: Secretary Ray LaHood, left, with Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists (Fast Lane Blog)

Is your organization working on a program to increase biking and walking and need some expertise to gauge its impact on community health? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking for active transportation initiatives that address obesity but haven’t undergone rigorous assessment of effectiveness. Selected programs will receive a comprehensive evaluation and could be featured by the CDC.

“Active Transportation Initiatives,” the CDC outlines, “encourage active transport (e.g. walking, bicycling) by promoting a supportive infrastructure for leisure or commute activities in multiple settings. They may be accomplished by expanding, subsidizing, educating, promoting or increasing the availability and access to walking or bicycling.”

To be eligible, your program must 1) be suitable for implementation and replication in similar settings or populations, 2) have been implemented for at least six months and 3) need additional evaluation. To nominate your initiative, fill out this online survey before Friday, January 21. Promising programs will be considered for an Evaluability Assessment, which includes a site visit and could, at the very least, provide ideas for program improvement.

Questions? Contact Kari Cruz at kcruz@icfi.com or (404) 321-3211.

Thanks to Deb Hubsmith, at the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, for forwarding along this information!