TEA-21 Challenges Activists And Industry

IMBA Trail News
Volume 11, Number 3
July-August 1998

by Gary Sprung

With the passage of TEA-21, bicycling, trails, and alternative transportation advocates in the United States have a tremendous new foundation for action. But we also face a tough challenge to implement the promise of TEA-21, because the action now shifts to state governments, where few of us are adequately organized.

Probably a majority of state transportation departments remain primarily highway agencies. Those that have progressed to become comprehensive transportation agencies continue to focus most attention and money on moving automobiles and trucks, not bikes, busses, trains or trolleys. Foot travel is often barely recognized as transportation. It was this bias which led pro-highway advocates to promote "flexibility," which would have given states permission to shift the non-highway Transportation Enhancements money to road building.

The final bill allows a small fraction of the TE money to be transferred. More daunting is the states' opportunity to shift 50% of the National Recreational Trails Fund money, as well as funds in other programs. Yet the increased urban sprawl that will result from TEA-21's higher funding to suburban roadways will only increase the importance of bicycling, transit and other alternative modes.

Even without the transference obstacles, bike advocates still must compete at state levels with other alternatives for the relatively small pot of non-highway funds. Potential uses of Enhancements money include tourist and welcome centers, museums, landscaping, public art, trash receptacles and street lights. These are all excellent uses of public funds, but our job as bike advocates is to demonstrate that cycling is at least equal in value. Bicycling can better solve real transportation problems.

Gaining state funds requires bike activists to employ the tried and true techniques of political organizing, and that requires money. Do our non-profit bike advocacy groups at state and local levels have adequate resources to accomplish the task?

TEA-21 should be a rallying point for increased determination by activists, and a spur for increased contributions by bicycle dealers, distributors, and manufacturers. Industry readers should consider the comments of Leslie Bohm, CEO of Catalyst Communications, in the July Bicycle Retailer and Industry News:

"Nothing is more important to the future of your business than having attractive places to ride. More than 95 percent of the places your customers ride are controlled by government. It's simply smart business to make sure local governments get and wisely spend their share of TEA-21 funds. Without your involvement, there is no assurance that TEA-21 will result in the paths and trails that will help your business."

Activists will need funds for travel to state capitols, for mass mailings, for paid political advertising, and yes, even salaries. We rely on volunteers as primary fuel, but there is no substitute for staff. IMBA clubs with paid staff can be counted on one hand. As we advance, we should find ways to raise funds necessary for this vital component of advocacy.

The bicycle industry adequately financed the national Bikes Belong! campaign. That should be viewed not as a one time shot, but as the beginning of the kind of political action common in most industries. Working together, cycling activists and industry can assume our rightful place on local and state political stages.