There is a very serious threat to cycling - and walking - safely on our streets.
Cyclists benefit from projects funded by Congress via the transportation bill. The sub-committee on transportation in the House of Representatives has sent a bill to congress that removes all funds for projects not related to use of road by cars and trucks. No money for bicycle transit of any kind will be available if this bill is made law.
One program completely eliminated by the bill is Safe Routes to School. This program has been very successful in helping communities fund infrastructure and education to keep kids safe on their bike rides and while walking to school.
Loss of these funds would reverse gains made during the past several years.
Team NorthBay has been partnering with Solano Transportation Authority (STA) to have bike rodeos for school kids and give helmets away for families who might not have been able to afford them. This program and these helmets were made available from funding that would be eliminated by this bill.
Thirty years ago two-thirds of our kids biked or walked to school. Today less than 13 percent walk or ride. In our community too many kids are driven to school in private vehicles. We all have experienced congestion near schools when school is getting in or getting out. This congestion does not do anything to make it any safer for the kids who do walk or ride.
Nationally, 12 percent of trips are made by biking or walking yet just 1.6 percent of transportation funds goes for cycling and pedestrian purposes. That disparity is brought into focus when you realize that 16 percent of accident victims are cyclists or pedestrians. It is more dangerous on average to bike or walk than to drive but only a sliver of funding goes to making it safe to ride or walk. The bill going to congress removes even that small amount of funding.
