Next Thursday -- Is Your US Representative a Cycling Supporter?

If you follow national transportation policy, one thing is clear -- federal investment in non-motorized, active transportation (aka biking and walking) is under siege. Next week, on Thursday, February 2, the transportation committee of the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to consider long-term legislation to fund transportation -- and the draft they will review completely eliminates all programs dedicated to biking and walking, including transportation enhancements and safe routes to school. These programs have been remarkably effective (and inexpensive) in spurring a cycling renaissance and more transportation options -- yet unlike every other major form of transportation, only biking and walking are targeted for complete elimination of their supporting programs.

If this concerns you and you want to take action, here are two options: (1) find out if your Member of Congress is on the House Transportation Committee and urge him or her to support an amendment to include bike-walk funding in this bill (here's an easy-to-use alert -- hit the "Take Action" button); (2) keep an eye on our blog or the America Bikes' website and you'll find out the status of the bill as it moves to the full House of Representatives (probably later in February -- here's a helpful timeline of the planned Congressional schedule). At that point, you'll be able to write and call your Representative, asking them to support the small but vital investment the federal government makes in active transportation for people of all ages.

Thanks for your interest and for taking action to make America a more bike-friendly country.

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JIM SAYER is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/01/next-thursday-is-your-us-representative.html

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