Good News for Bike/Ped Funding

Caption: The street shown above include bike lanes, sidewalk, and pedestrian curb cuts, all of which are supported by the government's proposed policy statement

The Obama administration just took another step to support funding for pedestrian and bicycle accommodations that support public transportation. If you haven’t heard the news, this could make significantly more funding available for non-motorized infrastructure projects in the next few years. Since good news is meant to be shared, please pass this onwards. See below for info sent out by the National Complete Streets Coalition:

The Obama Administration isn't letting the delay in transportation reauthorization prevent them from doing more to encourage walking, biking, and taking public transportation. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) just issued a "Proposed Policy Statement on the Eligibility of Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements under Federal Transit Law." The statement makes the case for investing in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure around transit stops and stations in order to increase ridership and improve livability. Importantly, it clarifies the use of transit funds for these types of projects: the new policy would make all pedestrian improvements with 1/2 mile and all bicycle improvements within 3 miles of a stop or station eligible for funds from several transit programs. In explaining support for these types of projects, FTA quoted Secretary LaHood's summer testimony that mentioned complete streets.

Federal Highway Administration has also posted program guidance on their website to clarify that Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program funds can be used for bicycle and pedestrian projects and programs. The League of American Bicyclists discusses how CMAQ funds can be used for bicycle and pedestrian projects in your community in a timely new report.