Rep. Oberstar highlights Bikes Belong meeting at Interbike

IMBA Trail News
Volume 12, Number 4
September 1999

Congressman James Oberstar of Minnesota appeared at the Bikes Belong Coalition's annual meeting on Sept. 12 at the Interbike show in Las Vegas. Oberstar, a key architect of TEA-21, has long been the leading congressional proponent for programs to enhance and expand facilities for bicycle and pedestrian travel as part of our national transportation system. He is the Senior Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a member of the Congressional Bicycle Caucus.

The Bikes Belong Coalition in August approved five grants to bicycling organizations around the United States to advance the creation of urban bike paths.

The projects are eligible for funds within the federal highway budget according to the Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century "TEA-21" which included big increases in funding for bicycling and bicycling-related projects. The mission of the Bikes Belong Coalition (BBC) is, "Putting more people on bikes more often through the implementation of TEA-21." Funding for BBC comes from bicycle industry donations.

The current round of grants go to:

• Alliance for Transportation Choice of Portland, Maine
• LA County Bicycle Coalition of Los Angeles, California
• Washington Area Bicyclist Association in Washington, DC
• Marin County Bicycle Coalition of Marin County, California
• Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, WI

The grants range from $4,500 to $10,000. The money will help the groups obtain TEA-21 planning and construction grants of millions of dollars. For example, the Marin County project, the "North-South Bicycle Freeway," will eventually cost $22.5 million. It will provide access to 51 schools, seven transit centers, two ferry terminals, many shopping areas and major employers. The county and all 11 cities in Marin County have endorsed the plan.

BBC Executive Director Richard Olken commented, "There will be a lot of jealous stares from the drivers stuck in traffic on Highway 101 as bikers zoom over and under them along the Bicycle Freeway."

The BBC is accepting applications for additional grants. For the grant application, a guide to bike advocacy and more information, view their website at www.bikesbelong.org . Or, contact BBC at email: ; address: 1368 Beacon St., Suite 116, Brookline, MA 02446-2800; fax: (617) 734-2810.