Two years of hard work toward a federal transportation bill
is finally coming to a head, and your voice is more important now than ever.
Last week, the U.S. House T&I committee voted to completely wipe out 20 years of progress for bike/ped transportation. I would not worry about the House version because it is not likely to pass. Now the focus is on a bipartisan amendment in the U.S. Senate that would help fill the gap, while accomplishing many of the same goals about local control. Our own Senator Richard Burr’s position is considered especially pivotal on this vote expected to come up next week.
Will you please take two minutes today to call Senator Burr’s office at (202) 224-3154 in support of the Cardin-Cochran amendment, and briefly explain why you feel safe roads for bicyclists and pedestrians are important toNorth Carolina
***
The current Senate transportation bill dilutes walking and biking programs. To improve the bill, we’re asking senators to vote for an amendment on the floor to guarantee local governments a voice in transportation decisions, allowing them to build sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways that keep people safe.
Will you contact Senator Burr today and ask him to makeNorth Carolina
As written, the Senate’s transportation bill removes dedicated funding for walking and biking and allows state DOTs to opt-out of safe street programs. The bipartisan Cardin-Cochran amendment would improve the bill by ensuring that local governments can apply directly for funds to build walking and biking infrastructure.
Tell your senators:
Last week, the U.S. House T&I committee voted to completely wipe out 20 years of progress for bike/ped transportation. I would not worry about the House version because it is not likely to pass. Now the focus is on a bipartisan amendment in the U.S. Senate that would help fill the gap, while accomplishing many of the same goals about local control. Our own Senator Richard Burr’s position is considered especially pivotal on this vote expected to come up next week.
Will you please take two minutes today to call Senator Burr’s office at (202) 224-3154 in support of the Cardin-Cochran amendment, and briefly explain why you feel safe roads for bicyclists and pedestrians are important to
***
The current Senate transportation bill dilutes walking and biking programs. To improve the bill, we’re asking senators to vote for an amendment on the floor to guarantee local governments a voice in transportation decisions, allowing them to build sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways that keep people safe.
Will you contact Senator Burr today and ask him to make
As written, the Senate’s transportation bill removes dedicated funding for walking and biking and allows state DOTs to opt-out of safe street programs. The bipartisan Cardin-Cochran amendment would improve the bill by ensuring that local governments can apply directly for funds to build walking and biking infrastructure.
Tell your senators:
- Local governments deserve a voice in transportation. The bipartisan
Cardin-Cochran amendment ensures that cities and counties have an
opportunity to weigh in on transportation decisions for safer streets.
- Safety matters. Bicycle and pedestrian deaths make up 14% of all
traffic fatalities, and pedestrian deaths are on the rise. These programs
provide funding for sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways that make streets
safe for all users.
- Active transportation is a wise investment. Walking and biking
infrastructure is low-cost, creates more jobs per dollar than any other
kind of highway spending, and is critical to economic development for main
street
You can find details about the bipartisan Cardin-Cochran amendment here: http://www.americabikes.org/Documents/Cardin_Cochran_summary.pdf
Thank you for all that you do to keep streets and roads safe for walking and biking!
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