|
National Policy Change
Transportation Tomorrow Report Ignores SRTS
In January 2008, the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission released a report called “Transportation Tomorrow” with recommendations for the future of federal transportation policy, programs, funding and revenue generation. Unfortunately, the report ignored Safe Routes to School, walking and bicycling. Deb Hubsmith, Director of the SRTSNP, submitted official written comments in response on March 14, 2008. To view them, click here.
Data Collection
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has been encouraging the US Department of Transportation to collect more data regarding bicycle and pedestrian trips, including the school commute. We support Congressional efforts to free-up funding for conducting a National Household Travel Survey, which is the most comprehensive source of measuring all trips.
Response to Secretary Mary Peters
In August of 2007, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters made comments to reporters indicating that bicycle trails and paths are not “transportation-related” or “infrastructure.” This was in response to the tragic collapse of the bridge in Minneapolis. The Partnership sent the following letter to Ms. Peters. You are encouraged to send a letter of your own defending SRTS and bicycle/pedestrian funding through the League of American Bicyclists' action alert system.
After receiving thousands of concerned letters, Secretary Peters issued a letter on October 4. She responded that her comments were not intended to indict bicycle and pedestrian investments broadly, but rather the processes by which transportation funds are sometimes distributed. It is, she noted, the US Department of Transportation's belief that “bicyclists and pedestrians are legitimate and welcome users of our Nation’s transportation system. They are a healthy part of the solution to congestion in our urban areas.” Secretary Peters' acknowledgement of biking and walking is welcome, but much work remains to be done to make active transportation a priority at the US DOT and at the state level.
|
|
