I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: I ride my bike around town because my city used transportation funds to make bicycling safe, convenient and pleasant. Without the bike lanes, bridges, racks and traffic signal triggers, I’d still be driving my car for the short cross-town trips that make up the vast majority of my trips.
Currently only 1.5% of the federal transportation budget, infrastructure for bikes and walking is a bargain for the benefits it brings. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has introduced a bill that eliminates all funding for bicycling and walking programs. It’s a throwback to the car-only transportation policies begun in the 1950s that encourage people to drive everywhere, regardless of distance.
An amendment to re-insert bicycle and walking programs failed on Thursday, but the fight is not over. Please write your US congressman today to tell them that you want funding for bicycle and walking programs in our federal transportation budget. Please take 5 minutes to do it today, even if it’s just for me. I’d appreciate it.
Julie Kanagy
February 3, 2012 at 9:40 am
Thanks! I have now submitted my letter to my representative.
ladyfleur
February 3, 2012 at 9:42 am
Thank you Julie!
Rachel Unger
February 3, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Done!
ladyfleur
February 3, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Thank you Rachel!