America Bikes and Federal Legislation

America Bikes and Federal Legislation

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Overview

America Bikes is a 501(c)4 (lobbying) non-profit organization which is comprised of representatives from the nation’s major bicycling advocacy organizations. Approximately every six years, America Bikes gears up to lobby for bicycling interests in the omnibus federal transportation bill. Most of the funding for America Bikes comes from the retail bicycling industry group known as Bikes Belong.

During past debates over transportation funding, America Bikes has arranged for bicycling advocates to formulate a unified position on bicycling provisions, has helped them campaign for these, and has maintained a presence on Capitol Hill during pivotal debates and hearings. America Bikes also has assisted America Walks and other groups to educate congressional representatives on important provisions regarding pedestrian safety.

The board of directors of America Bikes includes employees or board members from the Adventure Cycling Association, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals , the Bikes Belong Coalition, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, League of American Bicyclists, the National Center for Bicycling & Walking, the Thunderhead Alliance, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. (These organizations are necessarily officially affiliated with America Bikes.)

Endorse the 2009 Bicycling Agenda

For the 2009 transportation bill, America Bikes asks advocates and agencies around the country to endorse the following agenda, by visiting its website, AmericaBikes.org:

Provide Safe Routes To School

A Safe Routes to School program will ensure a safer environment for children who already walk or bicycle to school, encourage more children to become physically active, improve traffic safety around schools, and reduce the cost of the school trip on both parents and the road network.

Strengthen Enhancements, CMAQ, and other federal programs

The majority of funding for bicycle facilities comes from either the Transportation Enhancement or Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program of TEA-21. These and other important funding programs, such as Recreational Trails and Federal Lands Highways, should be refined and the funding increased. Eligibility for bicycle improvements should be more explicit. Incentives should encourage the use of funds for bicycle projects, especially those that extend or complete non-motorized networks.

Complete the Streets

Every transportation project and program has an impact on bicyclists and pedestrians: that impact should be positive. A seamless network of on-street bicycling and walking facilities, trails and transit should connect homes, jobs, schools, shops, families and friends. Investments in new and existing road and transit facilities must accommodate safe bicycling and walking. State and local transportation plans should ensure access for bicyclists and pedestrians. Federal and state programs to monitor, research, and disseminate best practices should all better serve bicycling and walking.

Fair Share for Safety

While bicyclists and pedestrians are major users of our roads and sidewalks, states do little to protect their safety in the same way that they do for drivers. A Fair Share for Safety program would ensure that transportation systems spend federal money dedicated to safety programs to protect bicyclists and pedestrians in proportion to bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities.

The Recreational Trails Program

This highly successful and popular allocation of a portion of the gas taxes paid by off-road fuel users has supported more than 6700 trail projects across the country while generating considerable matching support from state, local and trail organizations. RTP projects are enjoyed by millions of Americans, producing great social and economic benefits for local communities, and providing an essential element to address our country's serious and preventable public health threat associated with inactivity and obesity.

Non-Motorized Pilot Program and Conserve by Bicycling

The new Non-Motorized Pilot Program would fund comprehensive bicycling and walking networks in four communities to demonstrate that a complete network can dramatically increase travel by foot and bicycle. The Conserve by Bicycling program would fund ten communities to promote bicycling as an energy-efficient alternative to driving, and would document the energy savings.