Dear Mike, Can you imagine saying "Take your money, I don't want it!" to anyone? We can't imagine it either. But, that's what many states did with money set aside for bicycling projects in the last transportation bill. They actually preferred to send money back to Washington rather than spend it on better bike infrastructure, and safety education programs. The good news? In states with active bike advocacy groups, very little money was sent back. The bad news is that in the new transportation bill, MAP-21, there are LOTS of opportunities for states to say, "No thanks, I won't spend that money on bicycling -- I'd rather spend it building a few more inches of freeway." We are not about to let that happen. The League and our America Bikes partners are absolutely committed to ensuring that ALL the opportunities for bike/ped projects and programs in MAP-21 are FULLY FUNDED. What does this wonky phrase mean? It means that we want every dollar that CAN be spent on bike/ped projects to actually BE spent on bike/ped projects. This is where you discover just how bicycle friendly your state is. As we explained last week, there is a lot of money in MAP-21 that can be spent on bike projects. At the same time, there are LOTS of ways that a state can choose NOT to spend that money on bicycling. There are a series of opt in/opt out points to transfer funds away from bicycle/pedestrian projects entirely. For example, a state can decide to transfer fully HALF of the funds they get under the Transportation Alternatives program to other highway programs. That's right -- up to 50% of the primary funding source for biking and walking, $400 million a year -- could vanish. Even worse, it could be shifted over to road "improvement" projects that actually make cycling less safe and enjoyable. That's why our rallying cry must be heard loud and clear: Fully Fund Transportation Alternatives! States are also able to choose whether or not to fund Recreational Trails projects (we want them to fund these programs). Then, whatever funds are left in the Transportation Alternatives budget will be awarded through a series of competitive grant processes.
Because individual state departments of transportation will set the ground rules and choose the projects that are going to be funded, it is essential that the voices of cyclists are heard loud and clear as those ground rules are set. Just as important: it will be essential that communities have good bike projects ready to go with a strong, well-organized movement to insist that they be funded. As with all federal dollars, figuring out how to navigate the funding process is complicated and messy. We're developing the tools and resources to help chart a way through these waters - but you know as well as we do that it's usually the group that speaks the loudest that wins the funding. Good thing cyclists aren't a quiet bunch of folks!
P.S. Nearly 400 people participated in "The ABCs of MAP-21" webinar on Monday. If you missed it, you can download the recording and slides here. Make sure you put the next webinar about Safe Routes to School on your calendar now.
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