5-28-10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2010
Contact:
Caron WhitakerMargo Pedroso, Deputy Director, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Cosa Bullock, Transportation for America
Hundreds of Organizations from Every State in the Nation Thank US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood for His Leadership on Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues
Click here for .pdf version of this press release
Washington, DC—Hundreds of organizations from around the country joined together to thank U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today for his leadership in making bicycling and walking safer and more accessible. Secretary LaHood accepted a thank you letter at DOT Headquarters from bicyclists representing America Bikes, Safe Routes to School National Partnership and Transportation for America and more than 200 national, state, regional and local organizations from every state in the nation.
Washington Area Bicyclists Association, a signatory on the letter, joined the group to present a thank you poster from local bicyclists, many of whom attended the event.
Secretary LaHood has raised the profile of bicycling and walking as an important component of our nation’s transportation system—which will improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, create more livable communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create more opportunities for Americans to be more physically active. The US Department of Transportation’s new Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation recommends that state and local governments give equal priority to walking and bicycling as other modes of transportation and ensure safe, convenient and interconnected transportation choices for people of all ages and abilities.
“The DOT is committed to providing the kinds of biking and walking opportunities people want to see in their communities,” said Secretary LaHood. “Bike and pedestrian paths are part of a cleaner, greener future for American transportation. I want to thank everyone at America Bikes, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, Transportation for America, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and the many other advocacy groups who are helping us make that future a reality.”
“Across the country people are biking and walking more. Americans want more investment in these cost effective transportation solutions that reduce congestion and air pollution, and offer healthy alternatives. ” Said Randy Neufeld, President of America Bikes, “We are ready to work side by side with Secretary LaHood to achieve his vision of a bike friendly America.”
“Forty years ago, nearly half of children walked and bicycled to school. Today, less than 15 percent of children do so—because parents are concerned about traffic speed and volume, distance to school, and lack of safe sidewalks and bike lanes,” said Deb Hubsmith, Director, Safe Routes to School National Partnership. “Secretary LaHood’s leadership is critical to ensuring that state and local governments focus on improving the safety and accessibility of walking and bicycling, so that more children and their families can make the healthy and active choice for their trip to school.”
“In small towns and big cities alike, Americans are saying loudly and clearly that their lives would be better, and their nation stronger, if we build more safe, clean and healthy options to move around,” said James Corless, Director of Transportation for America. “If American voters themselves were setting our transportation policy, more than 8 in 10 would support investing in a better network of roads and trails safe for walking and bicycling. Secretary LaHood is leading the way in creating a transportation program that invests our tax dollars accountably, in the things Americans want and need.”
A copy of the letter to Secretary LaHood is enclosed with the list of organizations that have signed on.
# # #
About America Bikes
America Bikes is a coalition of leaders from the bicycling community advocating for positive outcomes for bicycling in the federal transportation bill. America Bikes member organizations include: Adventure Cycling Association, Alliance for Biking& Walking, Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, Bikes Belong, International Mountain Bicycling Association, League of American Bicyclists, the National Center for Bicycling and walking, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. www.americabikes.org
About the Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Launched in August 2005, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership is a fast-growing network of hundreds of organizations, government agencies and professional groups working to set goals, share best practices, secure funding, and provide educational materials to agencies that implement Safe Routes to School programs. The Partnership’s mission is to serve a diverse national community of organizations that advocates for and promotes the practice of safe bicycling and walking to and from schools throughout the United States. www.saferoutespartnership.org.
About Transportation for America
Transportation for America (T4) is the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform today. Our nation’s transportation network is based on a policy that has not been significantly updated since the 1950’s. We believe it is time for a bold new vision—transportation that guarantees our freedom to move however we choose and leads to a stronger economy, greater energy security, cleaner environment, and healthier America for all of us. We’re calling for more responsible investment of our federal tax dollars to create a safer, cleaner, smarter transportation system that works for everyone. www.t4america.org
May 28, 2010
Secretary Ray LaHood
Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C., 20590
Dear Secretary LaHood,
We are writing to thank you for your recent Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation, leading the way to make bicycling and walking equal modes of transportation, and we are eager to work with you to implement these changes.
We commend the policy statement’s assertion of the importance of walking and biking to livable communities. We believe a number of your recommended actions, such as raising minimum design standards, setting mode share goals for walking and biking and improved data collection will foster livable communities and enable people to walk or bike routinely and provide more choices for the 50 percent of total trips that are fewer than three miles.
Leveling the playing field for pedestrians and bicyclists is also a matter of public safety. Transportation for America’s “Dangerous by Design” report last year chronicled the 76,000 preventable pedestrian deaths over the last fifteen years due to unsafe streets. By highlighting the need for transportation choices for people of all ages and abilities, the DOT’s new policy will promote streets that are safer for everyone.
The Obama administration has shown encouraging progress on pedestrian and bicycle equity, even prior to your announcement. The joint-departmental Partnership for Sustainable Communities has initiated important collaboration between agencies, and the merit-based TIGER grants in last year’s economic recovery bill are already rewarding communities that plan for and integrate walking and biking into their transportation plans.
We have a lot of work to do. We should start by integrating policies that increase safety and accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists, including Complete Streets and Safe Routes to School, into federal law so that new projects receiving DOT funds accommodate all users of the road. We should also advocate funding for Active Transportation networks in our cities, towns and metropolitan areas. We look forward to working
with you
on a new surface transportation law that broadens transportation choices for all Americans -- including older Americans, children, people with disabilities and residents of metropolitan and rural areas -- and introduces new
benchmarks for our federal
dollars, including those that will support biking and walking as equal modes of transportation.
Thank you for your leadership on creating a transportation system that is safe and accessible for all Americans, and we look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Transportation for America
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
America Bikes
Active Living By Design
Adventure Cycling Association
Alliance for Biking & Walking
America Walks
American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation
American Public Health Association
American Society of Landscape Architects
Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
Bikes Belong
CEOs for Cities
International Mountain Bicycling Association
KidCommute, Inc.
League of American Bicyclists
National Center for Bicycling & Walking
National Complete Streets Coalition
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Partnership for Prevention
PolicyLink
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Reconnecting America
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity
Smart Growth America
SMITH Optics
Society for Public Health Education
The Safe States Alliance
Trust for America’s Health
ALABAMA
AlaBike
ALASKA
Alaska Transportation Priorities Project
Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage
ARIZONA
Arizona Safe Routes To School Program
Arizona Walks
Prescott Alternative Transportation
ARKANSAS
Northeast Arkansas Bicycle Coalition
CALIFORNIA
Bay Area Bicycle Coalition
BikeSD.org
BikeStation
California Bicycle Coalition
California WALKS
CALPIRG
COAST (Coalition for Sustainable Transportation)
Community Health Councils
Cycles of Change
Davis Bicycle Collective
Davis Bicycles!
Davis Bicycles! School Committee
East Bay Bicycle Coalition
Endangered Habitats League
Green Wheels
Humboldt Partnership for Active Living
Latino Urban Forum
Local Government Commission
Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
Los Angeles Walks
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
Move LA
Pedestrian Friendly Alameda
Prevention Institute
Richard J. Jackson, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles
RiderShip for the Masses
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition
Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
Santa Monica Cycling Club
Santa Monica Spoke
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments
Sustainable San Mateo County
The Mayor’s Challenge: Shape Up San Francisco
The Transit Coalition
TRAC - Train Riders Association of California
TransForm
Transit Advocates of Orange County
Tulare County Redevelopment Agency
UCLA Bicycle Academy
Walk Oakland Bike Oakland
Walk San Francisco
WALKSacramento
WalkSanDiego
COLORADO
BikeDenver
Colorado Legacy Foundation
Denver City Council District 8
Healthy Lifestyle La Plata
Jacob Smith, Mayor, City of Golden, Colorado
LiveWell Colorado
The Bicycle Cooperative of Fort Collins, Inc.
CONNECTICUT
Bike Walk Connecticut
Connecticut Association for Community Transportation
Greater Bridgeport Transit
DELAWARE
Bike Delaware
Delaware Bicycle Council
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington Area Bicyclist Association
FLORIDA
1000 Friends of Florida
BikeWalkLee
Broward Smart Growth Partnership
Naples Pathways Coalition, Inc
GEORGIA
Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
Bike Athens
Georgia Bikes Alliance
Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety, Inc. (PEDS)
Douglas H. Dierenfield DDS
ESP Wellness, LLC
Frank H. Sayre, D.D.S.
HAWAII
Get Fit Kauai; Nutrition & Physical Activity Coalition of Kauai County
Kauai Path Inc.
PATH - Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii
IDAHO
Idaho Pedestrian & Bicycle Alliance
Teton Valley Trails and Pathways
ILLINOIS
Active Transportation Alliance
Healthy Schools Campaign
League of Illinois Bicyclists
Stakeholders Collaboration to Improve Student Health
Two Rivers YMCA
INDIANA
Health by Design
Indiana Bicycle Coalition
IOWA
Iowa Bicycle Coalition
KANSAS
Bike/Walk Alliance-Witchita
WamSagMan Trail
KENTUCKY
Biking for Louisville
Kentucky Youth Advocates
Queen City Bike
LOUISIANA
New Orleans Metro Bicycle Coalition
MAINE
Bicycle Coalition of Maine
MARYLAND
Baltimore City Department of Transportation
MASSACHUSETTS
Danvers Bi-Ped
Maryland Height Parks & Rec Commission
MassBike
WalkBoston
MICHIGAN
The Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
MINNESOTA
1000 Friends of Minnesota
Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota
D. Scott Dibble, State Senator
Environment Minnesota
Fit City Duluth
Fresh Energy
St. Paul Smart Trips
Transit for Livable Communities
MISSISSIPPI
Bike Walk Mississippi
MISSOURI
B. Y. E. (Bikes Youth and Exercise)
Bridging the Gap
City of Independence Parks & Recreation Department
Kansas City Bicycle Club
Mark Twain Forest Regional Health Alliance
Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation
Missouri Coordinated School Health Coalition
PedNet Coalition
St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation
Trailnet
Urban Kansas City Community of Cycling
MONTANA
Active Transportation Alternatives
Associated Students of Montana State University Sustainability Center
Big Sky Fit Kids
BikeNet
Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board
Bozeman Sustainability Group
Current Transportation Solutions
Journeys From Home
Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department
Mainstreet Uptown Butte
MAST, Missoula Advocates for Sustainable Transportation
Missoula City County Health Department
Missoula Parks & Recreation
New West Health Services
Shape Up Montana
The Associated Students of The University of Montana Office of Transportation
Working for Equality and Economic Liberation
Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council
NEBRASKA
Activate Omaha
NEVADA
Community Against Reckless Driving
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire
Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes
NEW JERSEY
Bike and Walk Montclair
Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association
New Jersey Bicycle Coalition
NJ Future
West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance
NEW MEXICO
Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps
Walk Albuquerque
NEW YORK
Transport Workers Union Local 100
Transportation Alternatives, NYC
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
NORTH CAROLINA
Bicycling in Greensboro
Safe Guilford/ Safe Kids
NORTH DAKOTA
Go! Bismarck Mandan Healthy Community Coalition
FM Active Transportation Group
Southern Valley Health Watch
OHIO
Bike,Walk Ohio!
ClevelandBikes
Safe Routes to School Chagrin Falls
Walk and Roll Cleveland
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Bicycling Coalition
Washington County Walk This Weigh Sub-Committee of Washington County Wellness Initiative
OREGON
Arriving By Bike
Bicycle Transportation Alliance
Lane Transit District
Metro
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon
Oregon Environmental Council
Right2Bike
Willamette Pedestrian Coalition
All Traffic Solutions
PENNSYLVANIA
Bike Pittsburgh
Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition
PA Walks and Bikes
Philly Walks
RHODE ISLAND
East Coast Greenway Alliance
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston Moves
Coastal Cyclists
Cycle South Carolina
Festivelo de Charleston
Palmetto Cycling Coalition
SideWalk Chalk
South Carolina Lowcountry Environmental Education Programs
SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota Bicycling Coalition
TENNESSEE
Anthony J. DeLucia, Ph.D, Professor, East Tennessee State University
Bike Walk Tennessee
Fountain City Connections
Lose & Associates, Inc.
Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Transit Now Nashville
TEXAS
Bike Texas
UTAH
Salt Lake County Bicycle Advisory Committee
VERMONT
Local Motion
VIRGINIA
Active Williamsburg Alliance
America Walks- VA
WASHINGTON
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
Cascade Bicycle Club
Feet First
Sierra Club Cascade Chapter
Streets For All Seattle
Transportation Choices Coalition
Undriving, Inc
Washington Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
WEST VIRGINIA
Mountain State Wheelers Bicycle Club
Peddler’s Paradise Bicycle Recyclery
Positive Spin
Spokes 4 Folks
WISCONSIN
20BY2020
Bike Federation of Wisconsin
Driftless Region Bicycle Coalition
Safe Kids Wisconsin
WYOMING
Friends of Pathways