Governors Urge Congress to Preserve Bike/Ped Funding

We’re all waiting with bated breath as the members of a Congressional conference committee race to beat the clock on the June 30th expiration of the current extension of the federal transportation bill. Unfortunately, the fate of critical funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs hangs in the balance — despite an overwhelming show of support over the past several months.

First, a survey from Princeton Survey Research Associates showed a staggering 83 percent of the American public wants Congress to maintain or increase federal funding for sidewalks and bikeways.

Then, more than 70 national organizations — from the AARP to the Sierra Club — urged the conferees to preserve local control and access to funding for biking and walking.

Next, the U.S. Conference of Mayors — representing more than 1,300 of the nation’s largest cities — passed a resolution asking Congress to “protect and increase funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs in the next transportation reauthorization law.”

But that’s not all…

Now, 13 Governors from the states of

• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Vermont and
• Washington…

have sent a letter to the two main players in the negotiations — Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representative John Mica (R-FL) — urging “the reinstatement of funding for transportation enhancements, providing opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians to have safe and accessible facilities. We support the inclusion of all provisions that encourage a multi-modal approach to our nation’s transportation system.”

C’mon, Congress — Democrats, Republicans, mayors, governors and major organizations representing the interests of millions of Americans all agree: Save local control! Preserve funding for biking and walking!

Click here to read the governors’ full letter.