Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.robtfink
09-08-03, 12:25 AM
America Bikes
For Immediate Release
September 4, 2003
Contact:
Martha Roskowski
(202) 833-8080
Barbara McCann
(202) 641-1163
HOUSE VOTES IN FAVOR OF FEET, PEDALS
Overturns effort to gut funding for walking, biking
The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly rejected a move to eliminate funding for bicycling and walking, voting to restore funding for the popular Transportation Enhancements program. The vote followed an intensive grassroots effort by diverse groups, including America Bikes coalition members.
During consideration of the 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill, the House passed, 327-90, an amendment by Rep. Thomas Petri (R-WI) and Rep. John Olver (D-MA) to fully restore the Transportation Enhancements program. The TE program, which delivers $600 million each year to communities for local bike trails, sidewalks, and similar facilities, had been de-funded in the Transportation Appropriations bill now under consideration.
“Congress responded to the clear message delivered by thousands of Americans who called and wrote their representatives: we need to invest in safe places to bicycle and walk,” said Martha Roskowski, manager of the America Bikes campaign. “The strong support from both sides of the aisle for preserving Enhancements shows that Congress, and the America people, want the Transportation Enhancements program, and want a transportation system that works for everyone.”
The amendment offered by Republican Petri and Democrat Olver was a rare display of bipartisanship and was strongly supported by lawmakers of both parties. In introducing the amendment, Rep. Petri noted the many diverse groups who supported restoration of the funding, including the American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials, county governments, the AARP, and architecture, health groups, and recreation and travel groups. Numerous newspapers also editorialized for restoration of the funding.
Public health officials have been calling attention to the poor bicycling and walking environment in the United States, saying it is in part to blame for American’s sedentary ways and rising obesity and chronic disease levels. In addition, recent polls show a majority of Americans support using federal gas tax money to create better bicycling and walking facilities.
“Preserving Enhancements and other good programs is one of America Bikes three primary goals for reauthorization of the federal transportation bill,” said Roskowski. “Now we can turn our attention to providing Safe Routes to School and creating a truly bicycle-friendly transportation system.”
A separate bill has been introduced in the House to create a Safe Routes to School program, awarding $250 million in grants each year to help communities make it safe, convenient and fun for children to walk or bicycle to school. America Bikes is also seeking to include language in the new transportation bill to be sure that all transportation projects be planned and built to accommodate people on foot and bicycle.
America Bikes is a national coalition of organizations representing the more than 50 million Americans who bicycle. America Bikes is asking Congress to enact a federal transportation law to ensure that new and existing transportation investments improve conditions for bicycling and walking.
For further information, visit www.americabikes.org or contact Martha Roskowski, America Bikes, at (202) 833-8080.
# #
For Immediate Release
September 4, 2003
Contact:
Martha Roskowski
(202) 833-8080
Barbara McCann
(202) 641-1163
HOUSE VOTES IN FAVOR OF FEET, PEDALS
Overturns effort to gut funding for walking, biking
The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly rejected a move to eliminate funding for bicycling and walking, voting to restore funding for the popular Transportation Enhancements program. The vote followed an intensive grassroots effort by diverse groups, including America Bikes coalition members.
During consideration of the 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill, the House passed, 327-90, an amendment by Rep. Thomas Petri (R-WI) and Rep. John Olver (D-MA) to fully restore the Transportation Enhancements program. The TE program, which delivers $600 million each year to communities for local bike trails, sidewalks, and similar facilities, had been de-funded in the Transportation Appropriations bill now under consideration.
“Congress responded to the clear message delivered by thousands of Americans who called and wrote their representatives: we need to invest in safe places to bicycle and walk,” said Martha Roskowski, manager of the America Bikes campaign. “The strong support from both sides of the aisle for preserving Enhancements shows that Congress, and the America people, want the Transportation Enhancements program, and want a transportation system that works for everyone.”
The amendment offered by Republican Petri and Democrat Olver was a rare display of bipartisanship and was strongly supported by lawmakers of both parties. In introducing the amendment, Rep. Petri noted the many diverse groups who supported restoration of the funding, including the American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials, county governments, the AARP, and architecture, health groups, and recreation and travel groups. Numerous newspapers also editorialized for restoration of the funding.
Public health officials have been calling attention to the poor bicycling and walking environment in the United States, saying it is in part to blame for American’s sedentary ways and rising obesity and chronic disease levels. In addition, recent polls show a majority of Americans support using federal gas tax money to create better bicycling and walking facilities.
“Preserving Enhancements and other good programs is one of America Bikes three primary goals for reauthorization of the federal transportation bill,” said Roskowski. “Now we can turn our attention to providing Safe Routes to School and creating a truly bicycle-friendly transportation system.”
A separate bill has been introduced in the House to create a Safe Routes to School program, awarding $250 million in grants each year to help communities make it safe, convenient and fun for children to walk or bicycle to school. America Bikes is also seeking to include language in the new transportation bill to be sure that all transportation projects be planned and built to accommodate people on foot and bicycle.
America Bikes is a national coalition of organizations representing the more than 50 million Americans who bicycle. America Bikes is asking Congress to enact a federal transportation law to ensure that new and existing transportation investments improve conditions for bicycling and walking.
For further information, visit www.americabikes.org or contact Martha Roskowski, America Bikes, at (202) 833-8080.
# #