This week, the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Committee unveiled its plans for the new surface transportation authorization bill.
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They propose eliminating dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, including funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Chairman John Mica (R-FL) maintains these programs are "not in the federal interest."
We disagree. Active transportation accounts for more than 30 percent of all trips in the Chicago area, and funding for bike/ped projects has been stagnant at only 1-2 percent of all federal surface transportation spending.
Also, active transportation projects create jobs: Bike/ped projects create 46 percent more jobs than highway projects. Active transportation helps the nation's economy, as well as our environmental and human health.
Active Trans staff will be reaching out to Chicago-area representatives to emphasize that bicycling and walking are critical parts of a safe and efficient transportation system. Stay tuned here for action alerts and updates.