Vote NO On Question 1!

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 03

With the election only a day away, we are reaching out today to remind you why we urge a NO vote on Question 1.

 

Photo courtesy of LivableStreets Alliance

Question 1 is bad news for cyclists and pedestrians. Safe biking and walking require good planning and investments, and Massachusetts has a long way to go to design and build streets, bikeways, trails, and walkways that are safe for everyone. Question 1, which eliminates the gas tax indexing law, puts $1 billion in transportation investments in jeopardy.

 

After years of neglect, roads and bridges in Massachusetts are now a major public safety crisis. This is something we can no longer ignore. Passage of Question 1 would mean our roads and bridges will continue to deteriorate, threatening the safety of Massachusetts cyclists and all residents.

For all of these reasons, MassBike urges you to vote NO on Question 1.

Say NO to sacrificing new infrastructure.

• Question 1 threatens to cut $1 billion in transportation investments over the next decade.
• Question 1 would reduce or eliminate new walking and biking paths.
• Question 1 would reduce or eliminate road / bridge projects with new bike facilities.

Say NO to unsafe bridges.

• 53% of all bridges in the state are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
• The ten busiest structurally deficient bridges in the state carry more than 1 million cars every day.

Say NO to traffic fatalities.

• Massachusetts roads are unsafe for too many cyclists.
• Roadways conditions are a significant factor in one-third of all traffic fatalities in Massachusetts.
• Motor vehicle crashes cost Massachusetts $6.3 billion a year in medical and other costs.

Say NO to cutting public transit improvements.

• Indexing the gas tax helps to improve our public transit system.
• Question 1 risks investments in aging subways, rail, and buses.
• Question 1 risks improvements in the MBTA and Regional Transit Authorities.

Say NO to risking environmental benefits.

• Question 1 will hurt our ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Question 1 will limit our ability to invest in low- and non-polluting transportation projects such as biking, walking, and public transit.

Say NO to Question 1. If you are eager to help stop Question 1, please spread the word. You can forward this email, tell your followers on Twitter, or share on Facebook. There’s only one day left to let your friends know that you will be voting NO on Question 1.

Click here to read the full ballot question.

Tags: massbike, no, question 1
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