$700 million of federal transportation funds, less than 2 percent of federal transportation dollars, are allocated for bicycling and walking infrastructure. In 2012, that number could be zero, as Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) threatens to allow the federal transportation infrastructure funding bill SAFETEA-LU to expire after September 30 unless Congress eliminates funding for federal Transportation Enhancements, the primary funding source for sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, trails and more.
The transportation contractors, businesses, and agencies gathered last week at Mobility 21 focused on sending a message to the federal government that funding for transportation infrastructure projects is necessary for the U.S. to remain globally competitive.
Funding for bicycling and walking infrastructure in the long-term reauthorization bill will be more difficult as budget struggles continue. Bicycle and pedestrian projects, like the demonstration project and policies set in place by the Glendale Safe and Healthy Streets Plan, create more jobs per dollar than highway-only projects. They provide a huge return on investment, they offer health benefits as well as transit options, and their presence is a direct antidote for traffic congestion.
These are difficult times, and Congress is looking for ways to cut spending, but cutting programs that are forward-looking and offer health and economic benefits as well as transportation alternatives to regions like Southern California which are now determined to remake themselves as liveable urban environments is a big mistake. Contact Congressional representatives today to voice support for alternative transportation funding, or TE, as this vote could take place as soon as Wednesday.
Bicycling has been supported primarily through a variety of programs that are part of federal transportation funding legislation that has traditionally been reassessed revamped and reauthorized every five or six years..Widespread support has boosted bike funding. Federal funding for bike and pedestrian programs has grown dramatically from 23 million in 1992 to 1.2 billion in 2009. It also reflects a widespread recognition of the ways that bicycling can address many of the biggest challenges that face our society including adult and child obesity road congestion air pollution and the high costs of road and parking infrastructure..Federal bike money is determined primarily by what is known informally as the federal transportation bill.