Policy Page 8

Obama Bill Offers Way Forward on Active Transportation

Posted 05/02/14 by Patrick Wojahn in Policy | Tagged with Federal, State and Federal Programs

Photo CC Adam Fagen via Flickr

This week, the White House and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx put forward the GROW AMERICA Act, a bill which would increase funding for transportation infrastructure in the United States. GROW AMERICA includes provisions that could support the development of active transportation networks; that is, infrastructure for human-powered modes of transportation such as walking and biking.

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Photo CC Bike Texas via Flickr

International Report Calls for Greater Investment in Cycling-Friendly Infrastructure, Policies

Posted 03/25/14 by Elissa Southward in Policy | Tagged with Products of Good Policy, Transportation and Health

At the end of last year, the International Transport Forum (ITF) Working Group on Cycling Safety released a report titled, "Cycling, Health and Safety." This report has put forth that the positive benefits of cycling (e.g., increased physical activity, impact on mortality and chronic disease, reduction in carbon emissions from motorized transportation) far outweigh the risks (e.g., crash injury risk to cyclists, health reduction from breathing in polluted air in an urban environment).

Photo © Mark Fischer

What the Marvin M. Brandt Case Means for America’s Rail-Trails

Posted 03/17/14 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

On March 10, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in the case of Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust et al. v. United States. The issue in this case was whether the federal government retains an interest in railroad rights-of-way that were created by the federal General Railroad Right-of-Way Act of 1875, after the cessation of railroad activity on the corridor.

Photo CC MyWheelsareTurning via Flickr

Complete Streets: Recently Introduced Bills Could Further Active Transportation in U.S.

Posted 02/28/14 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding

A couple weeks ago, the Partnership for Active Transportation—a national coalition of transportation, health and economic development groups organized by RTC—released our federal policy platform calling for three policy innovations: greater investment in active transportation networks, innovative financing to leverage the private value of these investments, and the integration of health impacts into transportation decision-making.

Photo CC Dr. Ted Eytan

Cross-Sector Coalition Calls for Investment in America’s Active Transportation Networks

Posted 02/14/14 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Cross-Sector Collaboration, Federal, Funding

On Feb. 11, 2014, during a morning presentation on Capitol Hill, the Partnership for Active Transportation launched Safe Routes to Everywhere, a federal policy platform calling for cost-effective investments in active transportation networks to meet the changing mobility patterns and needs of today’s America. The Partnership is a dynamic cross-sector coalition convened by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy that unites leading groups addressing transportation, public health and community development.

Photo © US Dept. of Transportation

Transpo' Secretary Foxx: More Attention Will Be Paid to Biking and Walking

Posted 01/16/14 by Jake Lynch in Policy | Tagged with Champions, Federal

"We also have to make a special effort to look out for modes of transportation that, traditionally, don't get much attention." With these words, Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, yesterday offered a glimmer of hope that the nation's transportation policy may better address the millions of Americans who bike and walk as well as drive a car or use transit.

Photo © Pedestrian and Bicycling Information Center

New Fatality Data Shows Transportation Spending Doesn't Match Transportation Reality

Posted 11/25/13 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures, Federal, Funding

The release of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) annual report on traffic fatalities made the news last week for one significant reason: for the first time since 2005 the number of people killed on U.S. roads increased - up 3.3 percent from 2011.

Photo © Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center

Michigan's Campaign to Protect Bicyclists, Pedestrians and Wheelchair Users

Posted 11/18/13 by John Lindenmayer in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Michigan, Safety and Law Enforcement

Not only is Michigan leading the way in building world-class trail systems, but with nearly 100 local communities adopting Complete Streets policies that recognize the need to accommodate all modes of travel, Michigan is making real strides in becoming more friendly to people who travel by foot, bicycle, or wheelchair.