Transportation and Health Page 4

Martin Olav Sabo Bridge over Hiawatha Avenue along the Midtown Greenway in Minnesota | Photo courtesy Tony Webster | CC by 2.0

10 More Game-Changing Rail-Trails

Posted 06/10/16 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, Celebrating 30 Years, Connected Systems, Heritage and Restoration, Tourism and Economic Development, Transportation and Health

Earlier in 2016, we posted "Ten Trails That Helped Build the Movement" in honor of RTC’s 30th anniversary in 2016. But of course, with almost 2,000 completed rail-trails across the country, we just scratched the surface. In 1986, there were only 250 miles of rail-trails. Three decades later—thanks to a lot of passionate people—rail-trails have transformed America. Here are 10 more game-changing rail-trails (in no particular order) that have had an impact, as destinations, recreation magnets, economic drivers or transportation connectors, in the U.S.

Photo courtesy Green Lane Project

Safer Streets Ahead for Bikers and Walkers with New Federal Safety Rule

Posted 03/21/16 by Leeann Sinpatanasakul in Policy | Tagged with Federal, State and Federal Programs, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

Last Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released a new and improved set of requirements designed to increase transportation safety—including safety for people who walk or bike.

Screenshot from Nick Falbo’s Protected Intersections explanation video, published February 2014

Safer Streets for All: Protected Intersections Arrive in the US

Posted 02/25/16 by Momentum Mag in Policy, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Bike Commuting, Transportation and Health, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability

“Sometimes, change builds up for years. And sometimes, it bursts.” These are the words of Michael Andersen in a recent Green Lane Project article about the sudden and almost unexpected arrival of the protected intersection in American cities. In “Four US Cities Are Racing to Open the Country’s First Protected Intersection,” Andersen details the concept’s journey from relative obscurity in North America to an enthusiastic reception in Austin, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Boston, Massachusetts; and Davis, California.

Photo by Adam Coppola Photography

New Bill Maintains Federal Funding; Creates New Opportunities to Connect Trails

Posted 12/02/15 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health

On Dec. 1, Congress released the text of what is expected to be the final version of a five-year transportation bill, the FAST (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) Act. The verdict is in: Trails, walking and biking are here to stay as part of America’s transportation system.

Photo courtesy ehpien | CC by 2.0

House Passes Transportation Bill, Trails Well Positioned for Next Steps

Posted 11/05/15 by Kevin Mills in Policy, Taking Action | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Federal, Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

In a show of bipartisan cooperation among Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a long-term surface transportation bill that maintains funding for trails, walking and biking at current levels. The bill also includes policy changes championed by RTC to make innovative financing accessible to build trail and active-transportation networks.

Virginia Capital Trail bridge over Parrish Hill Creek | Photo courtesy VDOT | CC by 2.0

New Virginia Capital Trail to Boost Economic Development, Community Health

Posted 10/05/15 by Elizabeth Striano in Building Trails | Tagged with Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Transportation and Health, Virginia

Despite the fact that Hurricane Joaquin was developing off the coast last week—the official opening of the Virginia Capital Trail on Oct. 2, 2015, was greeted by 300 enthusiastic supporters at the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond.

Photo courtesy Dianne Yee | CC by 2.0

Congress on Trails: Next Steps for Transportation Legislation

Posted 09/17/15 by Leeann Sinpatanasakul in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Funding, Recreational Trails Program, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

Congress is back in session, having returned from a month-long August recess, and the future of funding for trails, walking and biking hangs in the balance. Read how you can get involved in the fight to ensure strong federal support for bike/ped programs.

Photo courtesy Darren Larson | CC by 2.0

11 Tips to Make Walking a Natural, Enjoyable Part of Your Day

Posted 09/16/15 by Jay Walljasper in Taking Action, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

The United States Surgeon General placed walking in the national spotlight with his recent call to action, encouraging people to make walking a part of their daily lives and to help create more walkable communities. In part one of Jay Walljasper's four-part series, Easy Steps to Walking More, he provides simple tips that can help every American adopt walking into their regular routines.

Manhan Rail Trail in Massachusetts | Photo by Lynne Graves, courtesy Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism | CC by 2.0

Keeping an Eye on Federal Bike/Ped Spending: RTC Releases TrADE Report

Posted 07/30/15 by Tracy Hadden Loh in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health

Every year, the Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TrADE @ RTC) compiles a spending report that provides transparency and valuable comparisons for people interested in transportation policy. This report breaks down the funds apportioned by state, as well as the funds states spent on projects that qualify for reimbursement (obligations) through TAP. The 2014 report was recently released; here are a few highlights.

Photo by Jon Lowenstein

Congress Extends Transportation Legislation Again; Attacks on Walking and Biking on the Rise

Posted 06/08/15 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, State and Federal Programs, Transportation and Health

At the end of May, the president signed an extension of MAP-21, the nation’s surface transportation law to fund roads, bridges, public transportation, and walking and biking projects, just as the current law was set to expire. The extension runs until July 31, 2015, when the Highway Trust Fund is expected to be depleted. Here's a closer look at what this could mean for trails, and biking and walking infrastructure.