TrailBlog Policy Page 8

Supreme Court: How Will Justices Rule on Rail-Trails?

Posted 01/22/14 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

The case of Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust et al., v. United States is likely to have lasting implications for the development of rail-trails on federally-granted rights-of-way, but as we await a decision from the highest court in the land, a prediction about the court's direction is as hard to offer now as before.

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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.

Today's Arguments in Supreme Court a Pivotal Moment for Rail-Trails

Posted 01/14/14 by Mary O'Connor in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Legal Issues, Threats to Trail Building, Wyoming

I just returned from the United States Supreme Court where I witnessed oral arguments in a case that could forever change the course of the American rail-trail movement.

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.

A New Day in California - Reason for Optimism, Work Still to Do

Posted 10/01/13 by Laura Cohen in Policy | Tagged with California, Private Fundraising, Products of Good Policy

After months of uncertainty over the future of transportation funding in California, Governor Jerry Brown last week signed into law an unprecedented integrated funding program that we feel, at this early stage, is a step in right direction.

New Mayor, New Energy for Building a Healthier Compton

Posted 09/27/13 by Rayna Gordon-Hellman in Policy | Tagged with California, Champions, Funding, Schools and Young People, Urban Pathways

Nowhere is the relevance and importance of this urban work better illustrated than in Compton, the city in south Los Angeles that has received far more attention for the bad rather than the good in recent years. But we see great things happening in south L.A., and continue to work with our local partners there so trails, biking and walking can contribute to the city's effort to rebound.

Photo © San Diego Association of Governments

One of California's Finest - San Diego Supervisor Greg Cox

Posted 09/23/13 by Laura Cohen in Policy | Tagged with California, Champions

No summary of the great trails, biking and walking activity in California would be complete without recognizing the remarkable contribution of San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox.

Recreational Trails Program - A Primer

Posted 09/13/13 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Federal, Products of Good Policy, State and Federal Programs

Since its creation in 1992, the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has been the cornerstone of America's trails movement. Funded primarily by gas taxes paid by users of off-road vehicles, over the past 20 years the RTP has enjoyed remarkable bipartisan support and has funded nonmotorized and motorized trails in every state. It remains one of the few federal sources dedicated to the construction and maintenance of trails.

Gov. Haslam Unlocks $1.6 Million for Tennessee Trails

Posted 08/19/13 by Marianne Wesley Fowler in Policy | Tagged with Products of Good Policy, State and Federal Programs, Tennessee

The people of Tennessee are today expressing their gratitude to Governor Bill Haslam for ensuring their state, famous for its rural and wilderness areas and open spaces, continues to take part in the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Trails projects across Tennessee last week received more than $1.6 million in RTP investment, unlocking much more in private matching funds and volunteer contributions.

Sharing a Moment with the Transportation Secretary

Posted 07/29/13 by Marianne Wesley Fowler in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Products of Good Policy

There have been a lot of ups and downs in my 25 years of trails and transportation policy negotiations on The Hill. Although the rail-trail and active transportation movement has come a long way in that time, I must admit that these last few years have been particularly trying.

New Books Dig Into America's Most Pressing Questions

Posted 07/22/13 by Jake Lynch in Policy | Tagged with Case Studies, Facts and FIgures

The convergence of a number of modern crises - the unsustainability of current oil consumption levels, the poor health of the American population, the impacts of pollution and the decimation of local main streets - has sparked great interest of late in designing transportation and living systems that might work better than those America is currently laboring under.

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