The Future of Transportation in America With Ray LaHood

Pretty interesting. More here.

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“People Are Sick Of Being Stuck In Traffic, Stuck In Their Automobiles”

Ray LaHood spitting mad transportation policy knowledge.

Amen brother! I especially like the part where he smacks down the “paying taxes” argument, I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard that stupid bit of non-logic repeated over and over.

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LaHood Ruffling Some Feathers With Announcement Of Support For Bike Infrastructure

When I wrote about the sweeping new policy that Secretary of Transportation LaHood announced at the bike summit, I really didn’t think anyone would be against spending more on healthy modes of transportation (bike/walk/transit) but I guess some republicans went a little nuts over it.

got this in the email today.

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By now, you may have heard about Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood’s policy statement that encourages state and local government agencies to consider “walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.” At the National Bike Summit, Secretary LaHood said that bicyclists have, “a full partner in Ray LaHood.” Now it’s time for us to support him.

Since his statement earlier this month, there have already been several public attacks on biking, walking, and livability on Capitol Hill – against Secretary LaHood, the USDOT’s bike/ped policy, and its livability agenda.
• Ohio Representative Steven LaTourette suggested that LaHood must be on drugs to believe biking and walking were equal modes of transportation.
• Iowa Representative Latham suggested that “real transportation needs” were being swept aside when funding is spent on bicycling and walking.
• Missouri Senator Kit Bond, at a hearing two weeks ago, asked LaHood, “When did it become the responsibility of the federal DOT to build sidewalks?”
• Oklahoma senator and ranking republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, James Inhofe, criticized the Oberstar draft bill as having “focus[ed] very heavily on transit, bike paths, and sidewalks.”
• Alaska Senator Mark Begich and South Dakota Senator John Thune questioned whether livability is applicable in rural areas.
• Arizona Senator John McCain introduced an amendment to the Federal Aviation Authorization bill that would strip funding for bike parking facilities at airports.

We need to show Secretary LaHood and his critics that there is widespread support for USDOT’s bicycling and walking policy and for their livability agenda. Here are some actions that local biking and walking advocacy groups have already taken:

In support of the USDOT Policy:
• In Fort Meyer’s Florida the Lee County MPO board unanimously passed a motion in support of the policy statement, and are now encouraging the Florida Department of Transportation to support it as well! BikeWalkLee has called upon state leaders—the governor, the legislature, and the secretary of transportation—to adopt this new federal policy statement as Florida policy and integrate it into the state’s policies, planning processes, and guidance documents. (see the press release)

In Response to Attacks:
• In Cleveland, Ohio, advocacy groups and a local bike shop owner responded to Rep. LaTourette’s attacks by contacting the media, her customers, and LaTourette’s office.
• The Iowa Bicycle Coalition ran a story about Rep. Latham’s remarks on bicycling and walking on their website, Twitter and Facebook pages, and sent an alert to members in his district.

These types of actions and responses reinforce to DOT that they have support from the public, and let elected officials know that we are listening.

When attacks happen in Washington, America Bikes and the Alliance for Biking & Walking will keep local groups informed. In the meantime, please consider taking positive action to support Secretary LaHood and DOT’s new bicycle and pedestrian policy.

Please consider asking your local city, MPO, and county agencies to declare their support for the DOT policy. Additionally, ask them to encourage your state DOT to sign on as well.

Lee County may be the first county in America to endorse this groundbreaking new policy. Help make sure that it is not the last!

Thanks,

Jeremy Grandstaff, Member Services Director
Alliance for Biking and Walking

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Ray Lahood Announces Dramatic Change In Federal Funding Policy For Bike Projects

Ray Lahood Federal Transportation Secretary had this to say at the National Bike Summit this year.

Then Wrote this on his blog

Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.

We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:

* Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
* Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
* Go beyond minimum design standards.
* Collect data on walking and biking trips.
* Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
* Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
* Improve non-motorized facilities during maintenance projects.

Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.

This is a huge deal, but may not have as big an impact in Mass. as it could because this state still implements federal dollars in a very messed up way.

In essence even though the federal government tells states how to allocate federal transportation dollars, Massachusetts will often disregard these suggestions and spend them the way they feel which is why we are currently 51st (behind Puerto Rico) in how we use these funds for bike and ped projects.

Lets hope these dramatic policy changes at the top will trickle down to our policy makers here.

Full Policy here, of you can read it below.

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