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The report highlights the importance of safe and accessible choices in transportation. |
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| | RTC Partners with Bikes Belong for National Report
On October 20, 2008, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) will submit a comprehensive report to Congress titled "Active Transportation for America," making the case for increased federal investment in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Funded by Bikes Belong, the report's intent is to raise awareness among national legislators and other decision-makers about the viable contribution bicycling and walking can make to our transportation system.
"Active Transportation for America" is the first report of its kind that will highlight and quantify—on a national scale—the far-reaching benefits of walking and bicycling in the areas of transportation, public health, oil dependence and climate change. Moreover, it will provide dollar estimates for the tremendous return on investment the country would see from increased funding in active transportation.
"Many who would otherwise walk or bicycle for short trips do not for lack of safe and convenient places in communities that are designed to accommodate cars instead of people," says Kevin Mills, vice-president of policy for RTC. "But where communities have begun to build active transportation systems, walking and bicycling have increased dramatically."
In the report, RTC explores on-the-ground success stories and promising goals from communities around the country, including Minneapolis, Minn., a city that has developed 36 miles of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; in Connecticut, where Hartford aims to cut 17 million vehicle miles traveled annually by investing in their trail system and on-road bicycle and pedestrian facilities; and in Ohio, where Cleveland's bike plan would ensure that all residents live within a 10-minute bike ride of a trail connecting to major business and activity areas.
The current federal surface transportation bill has funded, on average, $453 million a year for walking and bicycling infrastructure since 2004. But the six-year bill will expire on September 30, 2009, and revisions to the plan are likely to carry into 2010. To that end, RTC has developed its "2010 Campaign for Active Transportation," organizing communities across the country to make the case for better balanced transportation systems that include more walking and bicycling. With the "Active Transportation for America" report in hand, RTC is calling on the federal government to promote, at higher funding levels, these improved active transportation networks.
"We are witnessing the beginnings of a revolution in how Americans move," says Mills. "The active transportation movement, supported by this report and RTC's campaign, will make walking and biking central transportation priorities in communities across the country."
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