Last week, the Advocacy Advance team joined the Hawaii Bicycling League and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OahuMPO) for a Navigating MAP-21 Workshop in Honolulu.
Given the great weather nearly year-round, it's no surprise that Hawaiians want to live in communities where walking and bicycling are safe, easy, and accessible. But all too often, roads remain unsafe while millions of dollars in potential federal funding for active transportation remain untapped.
In fact, Hawaii has yet to set up the Transportation Alternatives Program -- a federal funding program that could provide the state with $3.6 million for biking and walking in fiscal year 2014. Enter Advocacy Advance's Navigating MAP-21 Workshop, a session to teach public officials, advocates, elected officials, and community members how to access federal active transportation funding.
In Honolulu, nearly 80 people from advocacy groups, state and local agencies, local bike businesses, neighborhood boards, and elected officials' offices gathered for the workshop at the Hawaii State Capitol. Attendees resolved to increase biking and walking safety funding and facilitiate greater cooperation between agencies and citizens. Advocates also resolved to urge HDOT to fully fund, staff, and implement TAP, as well as fully spend remaining funds available for biking and walking.
The workshop featured welcome addresses from U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz. Both Senators reaffirmed their commitment to bicycling and walking.
“We, in Hawaii, must take advantage of every option to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Senator Hirono in her welcome letter (PDF). “Other cities have provided the kind of infrastructure that encourages individuals to get out of their cars and bike and walk. Hawaii should be no different.”
Senator Schatz added: “In Hawaii, more than 20% of traffic fatalities involve pedestrians and bicyclists. That’s why I introduced the Safe Streets Act of 2014: To make sure our roads are planned, designed and built – not just for cars – but for all types of commuting. This policy will help provide safe access for everyone.”
“If you think about the most vibrant, attractive cities in the country,” said Brian Gibson, Executive Director of the OahuMPO, “they all have the same thing in common – balanced, multi-modal transportation options so residents and visitors can use the most efficient mode choice for each trip. Improving our bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure will pay dividends back to the residents of Oahu.”
Chad Taniguchi, Executive Director of Hawaii Bicycling League added: “Honolulu already has the 12th highest rate of bike commuting among the 70 largest cities in the United States! By working with the Hawaii Department of Transportation and county governments, we can encourage more people to bike and walk by implementing Complete Streets policies to create bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly streets.”
Read more about the Honolulu workshop on the Advocacy Advance blog »
