NOTE: An update on the outcome of this vote follows the original post.

I realize you might think I am being a bit premature with this declaration, but I am not talking about the November elections. I am referring to a critical vote—a referendum—in Georgia that will influence the direction of transportation funding in the coming years.

Physical activity has been central in my life since I learned to run and ride a bike as a kid. Though my career military parents moved my family often, they always prioritized living near a neighborhood school so that my sisters and I could walk or bicycle. I relished the freedom and responsibility of walking and especially bicycling to school, and still treasure those memories.

If you can measure it, you can manage it. 

I often think of this business mantra each day as I step on the scale, track my calories and log every minute and mile of physical activity as I pursue a healthier lifestyle. (And apologies to my Facebook friends who are tiring of my new found apps and the postings to cheer me on!)

This month has been a tough one for Safe Routes to School supporters. We lost our dedicated federal program funds in the new transportation bill (MAP-21), and overall federal funds for bicycling and walking in general were reduced by 30 percent compared to the previous transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU).

In my first blog post, I indicated the Greater Washington, DC area regional network brought the unique challenge of encompassing two states and a federal district. Multi-jurisdictional work always brings challenges but different states and DC laws add an additional layer.

In every county of Southern California, Pauline and I are witnessing a groundswell of support for Safe Routes to School. One of the key signs of this increasing interest is the creation of countywide coalitions formed around Safe Routes to School, healthy eating and active living.

The August 2009 issue of Parks and Recreation features National Policy & Legal Analysis Network’s (now called ChangeLab Solutions) Joint-Use Agreement resources in an article about using school recreational facilities as community facilities. Mississippi is one of the states that have now bought in and is now on the path to discovering and implementing healthy alternatives for its citizens.

The Connecticut Safe Routes to School program is making progress in providing safe walking and bicycling improvements around schools and communities! The Safe Routes to School infrastructure program just recently completed its fourth funding cycle, awarding more than $3 million in funding. Six awarded projects will benefit nine schools in six communities around the state with improvements such as sidewalk installation, bike lanes, multiuse paths, school zone signs and pavement markings.

The first Ohio network meeting was held on Tuesday, June 19 at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Central Office, to kick off the National Partnership’s efforts in Ohio.