We are now six weeks out from when Congress passed the FAST Act, securing funding for Safe Routes to School and the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for five more years. Here at the Safe Routes Partnership, we've been spending a lot of time educating advocates about what changed and what didn't in the FAST Act, and gathering as much information as we can to help you access the funding.
We have been advocating together for three years for a new transportation bill that supports Safe Routes to School, walking and bicycling. Now that Congress has passed the FAST Act and locked in funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program (or as it is now also known the STP Setaside), what should advocates be focusing on?
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), which is the final transportation agreement negotiated between the House and Senate. Once the Senate passes the agreement, expected by early next week, a new five-year transportation law will be in effect.
To increase physical activity opportunities available through schools over the long term, we need to put it in writing – through policy.
"Deb was so firmly committed to creating a better future for our children, and she will be missed." -- United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, in a tribute to Deb Hubsmith at the 2015 Walking Summit in Washington DC.
This guest blog post was written by our research advisor, Christina Galardi.
In advocating for Safe Routes to School programs in your area, you might face two major questions from school administrators, local planners, or political leaders:
Two rigorous research studies published in the past year provide evidence for the health and economic benefits of Safe Routes to School to support your response.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has set its consideration of the transportation bill for Thursday, October 22. This is coming in just under the wire, as the current transportation law expires at the end of October. Congress will still have to do an extension of current law to allow the House to complete its work and then come to agreement with the Senate -- hopefully by mid-December. (Update 10/22/15: The committee completed consideration of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act today. An amendment offered by Reps.
