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ALL EYES ON THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND

Prepare to be flooded with federal transpo news as Congress readies itself to take on transportation funding. 

For folks who need a quick primer, the Highway Trust Fund – financed by a 18-cent-per-gallon federal gas tax that hasn't increased or kept pace with inflation – is about to run dry. Unless Congress acts, states will have to halt sorely needed road and transit projects. A precious 1% of the HTF goes towards biking and walking projects, representing a massively important source of funding for projects and programs that keep people safe and active.  

As reported by the Associated Press, Obama supports a temporary stopgap, but would prefer that Congress pass a comprehensive long-term funding solution. 

The House passed a 10-month patch on Tuesday. The Senate is working on a version, too, but Politico reports that it's unclear whether it'll be the same as or different from the House version. Everyone says they want a long-term funding solution, but this is (surprise) proving politically difficult. 

You may recall that Senator Pat Toomey was poised to introduce an amendment to eliminate all federal biking and walking funding by axing the Transportation Alternatives Program. 

Well, after pressure from advocates like folks at the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, he didn't introduce the amendment. Good news! 

... But that doesn't mean that biking and walking are out of the woods. Groups like Heritage Action are pushing for an end to federal funding for transit, walking, and bicycling. It's very possible that legislators will use this political moment to tray and chip away at active transportation dollars. 

INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS

Connecticut's first bus rapid transit system will include bike accomodations and multi-use paths. 

Congratulations to Bike Cleveland for new lanes on Detroit Avenue! 

A Delaware contractor takes a second stab at trying to remove improperly installed rumble strips. 

Chicago advocates continue working to turn Lake Shore Drive into a people-friendly waterfront. 

San Francisco will build a protected bike lane on the Embarcadero. 

The San Louis Obispo Bicycle Coalition won wider bike lanes on Highway 1. Huzzah! 

THE BIG PICTURE

Are bicycles the latest weapon in neoconservative flame wars?  

CalBike is teaming up with the California Electric Bicycle Association to promite e-bikes. 

Statewide organization Washington Bikes highlights recent efforts in North Central Washington. State-level advocates: check out how these folks are talking about their work. Let's discuss. I think it's great. Call me. 

59.7% of surveyed attendees at Streets Alive! Lee in Fort Meyers, FL committed to increasing their weekly physical activity.

Angela Eikenberry of Mode Shift Omaha heading to the UK for a year to study under a Fulbright scholar grant. Congratulations, Angie, and good luck! 

Bike SD's analysis of regional transportation plans over the years reads like a list of broken promises for better bike routes. 

ADVOCACY AVENUE

The Active Transportation Alliance is partnering with the Center for Neighborhood Technology to launch Transit Future, a campaign to extend Chicago area transit. 

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition supporters made a strong showing at public meetings to support substantial bike funding in an upcoming infrastructure bond.

LEGISLATION LANE

The Delaware Department of Transportation proposed a new rule that would introduce an exception to the state's Complete Streets policy. Bike Delaware teams up with the Bicycle Coalition of Great Philadelphia to report that the rule has a good side and a bad side:

• On the one hand, developers would be permitted to forgo Complete Streets construction if they instead contribute to a fund for building biking and walking infrastructure elsewhere.  
• On the other hand, the rule also permits waiving this "in lieu of construction" fee in rural areas. 
• Bike Delware supports the rule so long as (a) rural areas are not exempted and (b) the collected fees go towards a dedicated fund. 

PROGRAMMING

There are so many fun local flavor rides happening around the country! A sampling: 

• MassBike is rounding up riders for the Mass BikePike Tour. 
• Iowa's RAGBRAI is right around the corner. 
• So is the Maine Loster Ride & Roll! 

More than 1,500 people started bike commuting during the Bicycle Transportation Alliance's Bike Commute Challenge. 

Washington Bikes has been doing a stellar job of highlighting recreational rides in Snohomish County. They include cue sheets and everything. 

Remember that terrible Washington Post article last week? WABA joined a protest ride to the Post's office. 

MassBike is holding pilot Fenway Park bike valets for Red Sox home games. Fun! 

GET A JOB

BikeNet is hiring an Energy Corps Member, which is an Americorps position. 

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is hiring their first (!) Communications Manager. 

The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition is hiring a Community Organizer. 

The state and localk biking and walking advocacy movement is growing. Check out the Alliance for Biking & Walking job board for listings all over North America. 

TRAILER

A "bike-through" ATM in Minneapolis.