As reported in the Courthouse News Service article “Republicans Ridicule Bike Lanes,” Republican Congressmen derided Republican Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood for his call for a “sea change” in the Department of Transportation to treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes. At a Congressional hearing, Ohio Republican Steven LaTourette asked, “What job is going to be created by having a bike lane?” Tom Latham, the Representative from Iowa, said that a cyclist is one fewer person paying into the transportation trust fund. He claimed that other transportation needs are being “swept aside.” Representative LaTourette even got a personal dig in, asking, “Is there still mandatory drug-testing at the department?”
There are a few issues. First, the Secretary wants to provide more transportation choices for the millions of Americans who want healthy, safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable, and enjoyable ways to get around. Second, investing in bicycling and walking creates jobs and is good for the economy. Third, the problems with the transportation trust fund have little to nothing to do with bicycling.
Supporting the freedom of Americans to choose from a range of transportation options shouldn’t be partisan issue. Providing non-motorized transportation options benefits health, the environment, and the economy. Walking and bicycling are also the only options for many young, old, and low-income citizens.
Investing in bicycling and walking infrastructure creates jobs. That’s why state Departments of Transportation have committed $734 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to stimulate the economy with ready-to-go, job-creating bicycle and pedestrian projects. Building better biking and walking infrastructure requires people to pour concrete, lay asphalt, and drive bulldozers – and in fact because these projects tend to be small, labor intensive and quick to get off the drawing board, they are actually estimated to generate more jobs per million dollars spent than massive highway and bridge reconstruction projects. On top of that, the Secretary is also making the critical observation that it doesn’t cost anything more to restripe many roads with a bike lane – you are just putting the lane stripes down in a different place!
Once bicycle and pedestrian projects are completed, they boost the local economy by attracting visitors and improving shopping districts. The Outdoor Industry Foundation estimates that the bicycling industry supports 1.1 million jobs and generates $17.7 billion in tax revenue each year.
The argument that bicyclists don’t contribute to road costs doesn’t hold water. Just over half of the cost of transportation at all levels of government is paid for by fuel and vehicle taxes and tolls. The rest comes from property taxes, general fund allocations, bond issues, and transit fares. Non-drivers are already helping to pay. In addition, the majority of the 57 million American adults who bicycle also drive and so pay into the trust fund anyway. The bike riders that don’t drive reduce costly congestion and road wear.
The Congressmen should have commended the Secretary for recognizing the myriad benefits of bicycling and walking and the central part it plays in many people’s lives. We encourage all members of Congress to join the Congressional Bike Caucus and support the following legislation:
1. Active Community Transportation Act of 2010
2. Complete Streets Act of 2009
3. Safe Routes to School Program
4. Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act
The League was beyond excited that Streetfilms attended the 10th annual National Bike Summit and documented from an advocates viewpoint what it is like to participate in an event that seems larger than us all – the bicycle movement. Watch “Voices from the National Bike Summit” below, get inspired, and we’ll see you next year at the 11th annual National Bike Summit.
The 10th National Bike Summit ended last Thursday, March 11th, with a momentous Congressional Reception, inspiring bike advocates from around the country – and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood – to bring the American bicycle movement to the next level! The 2010 Bike Summit was a paramount event for countless reasons but there are 10 clear highlights.
Drum roll please…
10. Rewards for A Decade of Service – The Summit really wouldn’t be what it is today without the ongoing support of three people we recognized for their decade of commitment to the event: Congressmen Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have spoken at all ten Summits, offering words of wisdom and inspiration; always challenging us to aim higher. Their staff provide invaluable logistical help and strategic guidance as we navigate the halls of power. The third award was to Bikes Belong, the title sponsor of all ten – a serious financial commitment which they exceed every year by also drumming up attendees. Thank You!
Just before the Summit kicked off, at the League’s annual meeting, we also recognized more than a decade of service by outgoing Chair of the League Board, Amanda Eichstaedt. She received the Paul Dudley White award for her contribution to bicycling over the years, including service on the League board and as Chair of the board for the past three years.
9. The League’s six asks for the Congressional Lobby Day (starting on page 14 of the agenda) were well received by our nation’s Senators and Congressmen. H.R. 4722, the Active Community Transportation of Act of 2010, had nine additional bill co-sponsors as a result of our meetings on Capitol Hill.
8. Bike/Ped Eligibility for Transit Funds Increased – Speaking at the opening plenary of the Summit, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff confirmed that the eligibility of FTA funds for bicycling and walking projects has been extended. Following a Federal Register notice last year, FTA has agreed that bicycling projects that increase access and service to transit facilities are eligible for FTA funding provided they are within a three-mile radius of a transit station (one mile for walking). Eligibility doesn’t guarantee any more funding for bike/transit projects, but certainly removes a major hurdle that has prevented it in the past.
3. Google announced at the Opening Plenary Session at the National Bike Summit an addition to their suite of online directions - Google Maps biking directions! “This new tool will open people’s eyes to the possibility and practicality of hopping on a bike and riding,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists.
2. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood energized and thanked the crowd at the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit on March 11, 2010 declaring, “You have a full partner in Ray LaHood.” Today, March 15, LaHood issued his new Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations. LaHood then made the most substantial statement the DOT has ever made about bicycling and announced, a ” sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.”
And finally, the number one reason the 10th Annual Bike Summit Rocked…
1. You! More than 725 bicycle advocates, educators, enthusiasts, and industry leaders attended the 10th Annual National Bike Summit and had more than 425 scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill! That is approximately 600 more Bike Summit attendees than we had 10 years ago!
To recap, the National Bike Summit was a great success, and the League is confident in the progress we will make in the year to come in conjunction with the Bike Summit! The League thanks all of our sponsors, advocates, supporters and industry leaders who turned out in record numbers to support the cause we all know will make America a healthier, better place to live – bicycling.
When the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood stoodon atable at the National Bike Summit to thank the crowd and show his support for bicycling and walking, he was just getting started.
Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.
We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
Go beyond minimum design standards.
Collect data on walking and biking trips.
Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.
Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.
The Secretary ended by thanking the League of American Bicyclists, but we strongly thank him for his words, his energy, and now for his official policy statement. We agree that there is further to go and we look forward to working with the Secretary to get there.
Secretary LaHood speaks to the crowd at the League's National Bike Summit
Secretary Ray Lahood, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and League President Andy Clarke
The League would also like to thank the 700 people who came to Washington, DC to tell Congress how important bicycling is to this country.
The League of American Bicyclists was more than thrilled to have Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood join us at the Congressional Bike Reception on the third day of the National Bike Summit on March 11, 2010. We were even more excited with his support of bicycling as a vital part of America’s transportation system. LaHood blogged, “Bicycles are a critical part of a cleaner, greener future in American transportation, so keep those wheels spinning.” Below is a clip of LaHood’s blog Fast Lane, recapping his Bike Summit experience. Read LaHood’s whole post here.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of addressing the National Bike Summit. I was invited to speak as a member of the Obama administration, but I have been a supporter of bicycling for many years and was a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus when I was in Congress.
Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI) graciously pedaled a League of American Bicyclists’ pedicab, sponsored by Planet Bike, on March 11th for the National Bike Summit Lobby Day. He took attendees and anyone else who needed a lift around the Capitol area for the afternoon. Checkout footage, courtesy of Politco magazine, below. Thank you Rep. Petri! We hope you had a great day riding bikes!
Yesterday, BikePortland.org asked whether the bike-partisan movement’s time has passed, citing the lack of Republican co-sponsors for the major legislative asks prior to the main lobby day of the National Bike Summit. Now that 700 bike advocates have had more than 450 meetings with members of Congress, we are looking forward to seeing the Summit’s impact on representatives from both parties. In a show of bi-partisan bike love, Congressman Jack Kingston (R-Georgia) and Senator Merkley (D-Oregon) were undeterred by the rain and came out for the 10th Annual Congressional Bike Ride this morning. I had the fortune to ride alongside Rep. Kingston and Drew Wade of Savannah Bicycle Campaign, We discussed the progress Savannah is making in accommodating and educating its cyclists. We also discussed Rep. Kingston’s bike commute to the Capitol from nearby Alexandria, Va along the Mt. Vernon Trail.
We would like to thank Rep. Kingston for participating in the ride and for his interest in joining the Congressional Bike Caucus. We also urge him to co-sponsored the League’s legislative asks. On the ride, we passed local schools and neighborhoods along traffic-calmed streets and bike lanes made possible through the Safe Routes to School program. The Safe Routes to High School Act that Congress is considering would be a great way to get high school students to begin and end their days in the same healthy, active way the Congressman does. During the ride, Rep. Kingston expressed an interest in organizing a ride with Congressman Blumenauer. We have already passed on the word to Rep. Blumenauer’s staff. Both sides of the aisle were represented on the ride. Senator Jeff Merkley felt right at home in the drizzly weather and remained upbeat throughout the whole ten miles. Senator Merkely said he was “there 100 percent” through the chill day, and we appreciate his continued support for active transportation. Let’s all hope the spirit of the Congressional Bike Ride and bike-partisanship can break some of the gridlock here in Washington, like the Active Community Transportation Act would help the rush hour gridlock back home across Oregon and in the first District of Georgia!
Congressman James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer, and Illinois Congressman Daniel Lipinski received awards from the League of American Bicyclists for their dedication to bicycling. They rallied the 700 National Bike Summit attendees who are set to take Capitol Hill by storm today. In over 450 meetings with their representatives and senators today, the Summit delegates will build support for H.R. 4722 the Active Community Transportation Act of 2010, S. 584/H.R. 1443 – The Complete Streets Act, and S. 1156 The Safe Routes to School Program/H.R. 4021 – The Safe Routes to High Schools Act.
Congressman Oberstar marvels at the growth of the bicycling movement and encourages the Summit delegates before their meetings with representatives on Capitol Hill.
Just in time for the National Bike Summit, Congressman Blumenauer introduced legislation to make active transportation safer, easier, and more accessible. H.R. 4722 Active Community Transportation (ACT) Act of 2010 will help communities access funding for transportation options that improve community vitality, reduce global warming pollution, boost public health and create jobs in the process. “The ACT transportation grants will make it easier for people to get out of their vehicles and onto sidewalks or bikes, boosting heart rates and community vitality,” said Blumenauer.
H.R. 4722 will be included as one of the ASKS for the National Bike Summit next week. See the Bike Summit program with issue papers and ASKS here.
“Bicycling and walking have real potential to replace short car trips in communities across the country – and increasing active transportation has got to be good for individuals, communities and the nation,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League. “This visionary bill will help us realize that potential, economically, efficiently and effectively, and we thank Congressman Blumenauer and his colleagues for their leadership in bringing it forward.”
It is not too late to register for the Summit and be part of the Congressional Lobby Day. Register here for the Summit so you can personally ask your representatives to support the ACT act and a Bicycle Friendly America. 8144611261
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