A warm welcome greeted Commute Options last week from a snowy U.S. Capitol. Our presence at the National Bike Summit in D.C. was dynamic, informative, and measurable. Our voice was heard. We met with our Senators and Representatives asking for key multi-modal legislation co-sponsorship and spoke on a national platform on our successful Deschutes County Bicycle Diversion Program. Continued follow up with our legislators will assist in continuing Commute Options mission.
We asked our U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor. Non-motorized safety performances measures, national policy on planning, designing, building effective roadways for all users, and long term low interest loans for creating complete bicycle/ped networks. See below for more information. Please contact Representative Walden to ask for co-sponsorship. Commute Options currently has a dialogue with his staff.
Contact: Elizabeth Litzow Elizabeth.Litzow@mail.house.gov
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act HR 3494/S 1708
What it does:
• Non-motorized safety performance measure- reducing fatalities and injuries to bicycle riders and pedestrians
• Breaks it up for motor and non-motorized
Why it matters:
• Even as overall highway fatalities are trending down, bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are going up.
• Ensures states focus on bike/ped safety, but gives them flexibility on how they do it. Do it differently per state with flexibility, urban vs. rural. mix of education vs infrastructure.
• Last Transportation Bill (MAP21) set performance measures overall, this bill separates bike/ped from motorized performance measure.
Safe Streets Act S 2004/ HR 2468
What it does:
• Requires state to plan, design and build for all users, but it does not tell them how to use it. Urban vs. Rural
Why it matters:
• When you build roads right the first time = save, time money and lives
• Constructing for all roadway users costs more after the fact.
• Selling point- sets guidelines, but gives flexibility to meet states needs.
New Opportunities for Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Financing Bill(New Opportunities) HR 3978
What it does:
• Low interest, long-term loans for communities to build walking and biking networks.
• Requires 25% to be spent in low-income communities.
Why it matters:
• Allows mayor and communities to build of complete a network in one shot and pay for it over time. Works better as a network instead of disconnected.
• Creates inexpensive and safe transportation options for everyone.
• Allows a community to create a transportation network right now.