New Transportation Bill Promises More Trails

For Immediate Release
07-29-05
Contact: Jenn Dice, IMBA government affairs director

303-545-9011

The U.S. Congress approved a new five-year federal transportation bill that will increase trail funding, including federal grants for singletrack.

After two years of delays, the new bill finally passed both houses of Congress and will move on for President Bush's signature. In total, the bill will dedicate nearly $3 billion through 2009 on bicycling and walking infrastructure and programs - almost twice the amount approved in the last bill!

Most important for mountain biking, the bill promises more money for the Recreational Trails Program, a small but important project in the massive $286 billion transportation bill. The Recreational Trails Program, funded by non-highway recreation gas taxes, has helped communities build and repair thousands of miles of trails, involving more than 7,000 projects in all 50 states.

Funding for the Recreational Trails Program will grow to a total of $370 million over five years, $144 million (64 percent) more than the previous transportation bill passed in 1998.

"This new bill is great for mountain biking," said IMBA executive director Mike Van Abel. "We're pumped that funding for the Recreational Trails Program will increase. This federal grant program is extremely important to mountain biking's future."

"For the past two years, our lobbying team in Washington has pushed IMBA's message. All of that hard work has paid off. Everyone who donated funds, visited Capitol Hill during IMBA's lobby days, or contacted their members of Congress, deserves thanks. You helped IMBA convince lawmakers that mountain biking trails are important," added Van Abel.

The new bill also creates the first-ever national Safe Routes to School Program, and authorizes more money for transportation enhancements and other key programs that support bike facilities. Overall, bicycling and recreation groups are very pleased with the legislation.

Bicycling organizations collaborated in the transportation bill lobbying effort under the banner of America Bikes. Other trail and recreation interests, both motorized and non-motorized, rallied together through the Coalition for Recreational Trails.

For more information on what is in the bill for bicycles visit America Bikes.'

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