House Transportation Bill Cuts Funding for Biking and Pedestrian Programs

Contact your legislator to protect funding for walking and biking today!

Policies that support physical activity opportunities – such as walking and biking – are critical strategies to increase community health and well-being. Yet a House transportation bill released today would effectively reverse all progress made in the past twenty years to support safe physical activity. The bill:

• Eliminates dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs;
• Repeals the Safe Routes to School program, leaving communities without basic tools and funding to protect kids on the trip to school;
• Allows states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles; and
• Eliminates bicycle and pedestrian and Safe Routes to School coordinators in state Departments of Transportation (DOTs).

There’s still a chance to save federal bicycling and walking funding from these unacceptable cuts – stand up for health and physical activity by contacting your legislator today. The House Transportation Committee will vote Thursday, February 2, on whether to approve this bill. This week, Representative Petri (R-WI) plans to offer an amendment that restores dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Rep. Petri can only be successful if all advocates with a stake in safe sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways speak out today.

Click here to find your legislator’s contact information and take action.