Action Alert!

We need you to call your US Representative and members of the House Appropriations Committee TODAY to fight for our nation's trails and greenways.

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FUNDING GETS THE AXE

July 24, 2003

Transportation Enhancements funding eliminated, despite assurances otherwise.

Despite significant public support, the House Appropriations Committee today approved a 2004 transportation budget that expressly eliminates funding bicycle and pedestrian pathways as well as other community improvements. The Committee action zeroed out funding for the popular Transportation Enhancements program.

"We are extremely disappointed in the Committee's action today," says Martha Roskowski of advocacy group America Bikes. "Two weeks ago, Representative Istook (R-OK) wrote a subcommittee bill that stripped funding for Enhancements. After significant public pressure, Istook said he would offer an amendment to restore the funds. His amendment, which passed today, does nothing of the sort."

Istook's original language not only stripped funding for the popular Transportation Enhancements program, it also prohibited other transportation funds from being spent on bicycle, pedestrian and historic preservation projects. The new language lifts the prohibition, but still expressly eliminates the $600 million intended for the Enhancements program in 2004.

Representative John Olver (D-MA) led an attempt to restore the program in committee action, but the amendment failed by a 29 to 33 vote, with two Republicans, Ray LaHood from Illinois and Mike Simpson of Idaho, supporting the measure.

"The Transportation Enhancements program is tremendously valuable, and I will fight to save it," said Olver, who said he would offer another amendment when the measure comes up before the full House of Representatives in early September.

"Bicycle and pedestrian trails are among the most popular Transportation Enhancement projects," Olver added. "Not only do these trails provide a means for recreation, commutation and fitness, but they can also attract people into downtown communities and serve as a magnet for economic development."

Since 1991, the Transportation Enhancements program has built 8000 bicycle and pedestrian projects in communities large and small across the country. "Transportation Enhancements account for less than 2¢ of every Federal surface transportation dollar," says Keith Laughlin, President of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. "For less than 2¢ per dollar we get a popular program that supports locally-initiated transportation projects in communities across America. Those who would eliminate this program believe that every single Federal penny should be spent on highways. I urge Congress to reject such short-sighted thinking."

America Bikes and other organizations are mobilizing supporters across the country to contact their members of the House of Representatives to restore funding for the Enhancements program. More information is available at www.americabikes.org.

Martha Roskowski
America Bikes
202-833-8080
martha@americabikes.org

July 18, 2003

A congressional subcommittee voted last Friday to eliminate most federal funding for bike and trail projects in 2004. We need to move quickly to restore this very important funding. Please make a phone call today!

Background:
Funding for the Transportation Enhancements program has been eliminated from the 2004 federal budget passed by a House Appropriations subcommittee. Transportation Enhancements is the largest federal source of funding for trails, walking and bicycling.

If the budget is approved, there will be no funding for Transportation Enhancements projects anywhere in the country in 2004. The Enhancements program has helped build nearly 8,000 bike and trails projects across the country, and has been the source of more than $1.5 billion in federal funds going to bike and pedestrian projects since 1991.

The bill now moves to the full House Appropriations Committee. The vote will likely come within the next week.

We Ask You to Make An Important Phone Call:
1) Call your US Representative and your state's member of the House Appropriations Committee (list below). If you are unclear who your US Representative is, visit http://www.house.gov and type in your zip code. All members can be reached through the US Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121.
2) Ask for the staffer that works on transportation issues or his/her voice mail if unavailable.
3) Introduce yourself and your club or business if representing a group.
4) Ask them to "restore funding in the 2004 Transportation Appropriations for Enhancements and other programs that help diversify our transportation system - do more than just build highways."
5) Talk about the value of bicycling in your community and tell them about
specific bike projects in your state, if you know them, and where transportation enhancements funding has helped. To read the extensive list of trail projects in your state visit: http://www.enhancements.org.

Other talking points:
6) Enhancements has built nearly 8,000 bike and trail projects in urban and rural communities across America since the program's inception in 1991. Enhancements supports a variety of community transportation projects including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, rail-trail conversions, acquisition of scenic and historic property, historic preservation and improvement of streetscapes and landscapes.
7) The program is extremely popular because it provides tangible benefits to communities.
8) Enhancements projects provide safe, convenient and enjoyable places for physical activity, an important part of the national solution to combat obesity.

Please take the time to make the call today as the House Appropriations Committee will make a final decision in the next few days.

Sincerely,
Jenn Dice

Jenn Dice -- Government Affairs Director
International Mountain Bicycling Association
Phone: (303) 545 9011x103 Fax: (303) 545 9026
E-mail: jenn@imba.com Website: http://www.imba.com

Notes on buttons below:
Congress to Cyclists - Get a Car - interesting commentary
Contacts - Congressional contacts
Sample Letter - sample letter to congress member
Follow Up - this campaign is making some progress - however don't rest yet, there is a call for 1000 calls to be made on July 24.