Take Action: Protect Federal Funding, Support the Cardin-Cochran Agreement

By Mary Lauran Hall, Communications Coordinator, America Bikes

Just two months ago, the Senate passed a transportation bill that included the Cardin-Cochran agreement. This bipartisan compromise would ensure that local governments and school systems are able to access much-needed funds to make bicycling and walking safer and more accessible.

Now, poll results show that an overwhelming majority of Americans support federal funding for biking and walking. In a Princeton survey, 83 percent of Americans said that they support maintaining or increasing funding for sidewalks, bike lanes, and bike paths.

If most Americans support federal biking and walking funding, Congress should, too.

As selected Senators and Representatives conference to create a transportation bill, we must protect the hard-fought Cardin Cochran agreement.

The Cardin-Cochran agreement ensures local control over a small portion of funds for biking and walking. The provision devolves decision-making on a small portion of funds from the states to local governments, whose leaders know the transportation needs of their communities best.

We’ve heard again and again from local elected officials across the country that local governments want and need federal funding to build sidewalks, bike lanes, and bike paths.

Without the Cardin-Cochran agreement, states could choose to direct these limited funds towards building more roads and highway lanes.

Will you help us get the message to Congress that the transportation bill conferees should preserve the Cardin-Cochran agreement?