LaHood to BikeLeague: Now IS the time to invest in bicycling

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood arrived at the National Bike Summit ready to go. In an interview before entering the conference ballroom where he will give the the Summit’s opening remarks, the Secretary said that now is the time for investing in bicycling. The re-authorization law is being written and President Obama has a strong vision for active, livable communities — and it’s what American’s want.

[[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”141″,”attributes”:{“class”:”media-image”,”typeof”:”foaf:Image”,”height”:”344″,”width”:”425″,”style”:””}}]]

The Secretary gave a rousing speech, sharing plenty of credit with President Obama, “When you see me exhibiting this kind of energy it’s because of the man I’m accountable to.”

He wrote on his blog today:

Now, the transportation budget President Obama proposed to Congress is a big, bold vision for the next generation of American transportation. And walkable, bikeable, livable communities are a central part of that vision.  The President’s 2012 budget would boost funding for pedestrian and bike-friendly communities to $4.1 billion.  And the Administration would like to see these essential resources included in the next six-year transportation legislation.

But that process is just beginning, and it won’t happen without the energy of the terrific community gathered at the National Bike Summit.  So I wish them well as they meet with their legislators and educate them about the tremendous value of bicycle and pedestrian transportation options.