Call Congress Today to Save Bike Paths and Trails

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
(07-18-03)
Contact: Jenn Dice

303-545-9011

A congressional committee voted to eliminate most federal funding for bike and trail projects in 2004. We need to move quickly to restore this very important funding. Please make a phone call today!

Background

Funding for the Transportation Enhancements program was eliminated from the 2004 federal budget passed by a House Appropriations subcommittee and then reaffirmed by the full House Appropriations Committee. Transportation Enhancements is the largest federal source of funding for trails, walking and bicycling.

If the budget is approved, there will be no funding for Transportation Enhancements projects anywhere in the country in 2004. The Enhancements program has helped build nearly 8,000 bike and trails projects across the country, and has been the source of more than $1.5 billion in federal funds going to bike and pedestrian projects since 1991.

The bill now moves to the full House for consideration sometime in early September.

IMBA Asks You to Make an Important Phone Call

1. Call your U.S. Representative. To learn the name of your U.S. Representative visit http://www.house.gov and type in your zip code. All members can be reached through the U.S. Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121.
2. Ask for the staffer that works on transportation issues or his/her voice mail if unavailable.
3. Introduce yourself and your club or business if representing a group.
4. Ask them to "restore funding in the 2004 Transportation Appropriations for Enhancements and other programs that help diversify our transportation system - do more than just build highways."
5. Talk about the value of bicycling in your community and tell them aboutspecific bike projects in your state, if you know them, and where transportation enhancements funding has helped. To read the extensive list of trail projects in your state visit: http://www.enhancements.org.

Other talking points:
6. Enhancements has built nearly 8,000 bike and trail projects in urban and rural communities across America since the program's inception in 1991. Enhancements supports a variety of community transportation projects including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, rail-trail conversions, acquisition of scenic and historic property, historic preservation and improvement of streetscapes and landscapes.
7. The program is extremely popular because it provides tangible benefits to communities. The Bush Administration's reauthorization proposal, SAFETEA, embraces the Enhancements program.
8. Enhancements projects provide safe, convenient and enjoyable places for physical activity, an important part of the national solution to combat obesity.

Please take the time to make the call today.

To learn more visit America Bikes at: http://www.americabikes.org/

Update from America Bikes on the Transportation Enhancements Program (July 24, 2003)