Continuing support for US DOT Statement on Bicycling and Walking

As readers of this blog know well, in March, US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and US Department of Transportation released an outstanding policy statement saying that “walking and bicycling foster safer, more livable, family-friendly communities; promote physical activity and health; and reduce vehicle emissions and fuel use.” The statement made quite an impression on bicycling advocates. And now we’re working on seeing that state Departments of Transportation follow through on that vision.

The statement encouraged states, local governments, professional associations, community organizations, public transportation agencies, and other government agencies, to adopt similar policy statements on bicycle and pedestrian accommodation.

In June, America Bikes, Transportation for America, and the Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership, personally thanked the Secretary for his commitment to active modes of transportation. But even more importantly, localities across the country are speaking up in support of the statement. Thanks to the advocacy group BikeWalkLee, the Municipal Planning Organization (MPO) of Lee County Florida passed a resolution endorsing the policy (here’s how they did it). Because of the effort of a city staffer, the Mayor of Tupelo, Mississippi signed a proclamation in support of the policy statement. Tupelo was even recognized on Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood’s blog.

We – the Advocacy Advance Team – would like to see even more local support. If you want to get involved you can work with your local advocacy groups to ask your local transportation agency to release statements like the the US DOTs that confirm that bicycling and walking are agency priorities and ask your local government to speak out in support for the statement. Please let us know (darren at bikeleague dot org) about any additional successes you have.