Active Transportation is Gaining Traction in Harrisburg Funding Debate

For the past several months, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and PA Walks and Bikes have been participating in the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition's effort to gain support and momentum for a new state transportation funding bill.

Our asks have been straightforward:

1. Pass a comprehensive transportation funding bill this year.
2. Create a bicycle/pedestrian program or office within PennDOT.
3. Make active transportation central to the proposed "multi-modal" fund and ensure that biking and walking projects can be funded.
4. Eliminate the #1 policy hurdle (the Bicycle Occupancy Permit) that prevents the installation of bike lanes on state roads outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. 

In partnership with Mission Readiness, the American Heart Association, Urban Engineers and many others, we have been visiting state senators and representatives from Southeast PA (at least eleven), developing position papers, getting letters to the editors placed in various media outlets (Inquirer, Daily News, Pottstown Mercury News, Bucks County Courier Times, Doylestown Intelligencer, and Delco Times), and created an action alert that has generated 250 letters to 76 elected state representatives and the Governor.

In late March, a sign-on letter (see below) we helped Mission Readiness with was delivered to the Assembly urging them to make biking and walking part of the proposed multi-modal fund and to establish a PennDOT office or full-time position to address bicycle/pedestrian issues.

All of this advocacy is beginning to pay off.

PA State Transportation Funding is at Stake

You've seen the closed bridges, faded bike lanes and crosswalks, the potholes, the overcrowded roads during rush hour. It's no secret that Pennsylvania's transportation system is in dire shape. Governor Corbett has proposed raising new revenue to make much-needed investments to repair our roads, bridges and transit systems. But some legislators in Harrisburg do not see the wisdom of investing in infrastructure and they need to hear from you!

Harrisburg needs to fund transportation!

TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION FUNDING IN PENNSYLVANIA

In 2010, the state's transportation funding gap was calculated at $3.5 billion. And because putting off repairs only makes them more expensive, the cost of fixing our transportation system is growing by $1 million for each day we do not pass a transportation funding bill.

When transportation is under-funded, not only do bicyclists and pedestrians suffer from the poor quality of our roads and bridges but fewer dedicated facilities are built or striped.

Governor Corbett proposes to raise $1.8 billion over five years by uncapping the Oil Company Franchise Tax. The Governor's proposal also includes a multi-modal fund that will be a dedicated funding source for non-highway modes, including biking and walking.

As part of the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition, we asked Governor Corbett to make proposals to better fund transportation needs. Now that he has, your elected officials need to hear from you that you support a comprehensive transportation bill. Please take action today by writing a quick email to your state reps and then placing a call to their offices.

Better streets mean safer, better transportation
for all. Photo credit: Complete Streets

A comprehensive new transportation bill offers an opportunity for Pennsylvania to support communities that want to make bicycling and walking safer. PA Walks and Bikes and others who support biking and walking are asking for three commitments from the state:

1. Create a Bicycle Pedestrian Office within PennDOT.

2. Ensure that the new Multi-Modal fund allocates sufficient funds to bicycle and walking projects.

3. Eliminate the Bicycle Occupancy Permit (which prevents smaller communities from building bicycle infrastructure).

You can read more about our suggestions for improving biking and walking in Pennsylvania in this handout.

Legislation Alert: PA Safe Passing Bill nearing vote

An alert just in from our friends at PA Walks and Bikes:

We've received word that House Bill 170, the Safe Bicycle Passing bill, will likely receive a vote on the House floor when they return to session the week of May 23!  In anticipation of this vote, we are asking all of our supporters to reach out to their State Representative right now to show a swell of support for this bill.

You can do so by sending an email through our on-line tool or calling your representative's office directly. Please keep us posted with any feedback you receive from your outreach.

PA Walks and Bikes March 2010 Newsletter

PA Walks & Bikes Newsletter
March 2010

In this issue
PA Walk & Bike Summit
We Are Recruiting
Legislative Update

Pennsylvania Walk & Bike Summit
Capitol Building Harrisburg MAY 3 and 4, Harrisburg, PA

We will meet, on foot or by bike, on the steps of the Capitol. Mark your calendars now.

Last year about 100 people gathered at the Capitol to show their support for biking and walking in Pennsylvania. We were joined by 14 legislators and officials, had 40 cosponsors of the legislation for safe bicycling and received great press coverage. This year, we want to show up in even larger numbers and get even greater legislative support for safe walking and biking.

An evening meeting for the Pennsylvania Safe Routes to School State Network Project will be held on May 3. Email pennsylvania@saferoutespartnership.org to join the Network Project today.

Check our website soon for more details about the legislative agenda, reception, networking opportunities and places to stay.

We look forward to seeing you in Harrisburg in May.

PS: Staying overnight in Harrisburg? Join us for a super low rate of $69/night at the green hotel Comfort Inn (717 233 1611) . Just mention PA Walks and Bikes.

Students, Parents, Business Professionals, and Retirees Encouraged to Apply!
PA Walks & Bikes is Recruiting:

Do you want to help create healthy, sustainable communities across Pennsylvania by making bicycling and walking safer, more convenient and enjoyable?

THEN WE NEED YOU!

• Newsletter Editor
• Webpage Administrator
• Events Coordinator
• Book Keeper
• Database Manager

If you're interested in making Pennsylvania a Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly State -- email pawalkbike@gmail.com with your credentials today!

Letters of inquiry and statements of qualifications should be written to pawalkbike@gmail.com by April 14, 2010.


4 Feet Please!
Protect Vulnerable Road Users: Contact your State Representative today and ask him or her to supports pending bills that would require motorists to give four feet passing clearance (HB1110) and make recklessly endangering bicyclists a misdemeanor (HB1109). You may also want to contact your State Senator to support SB776 which is the Senate version of the four foot passing bill.

Distracted Driving Legislation Passes State House - Moves to Senate
: The PA State House Passed HB2070 which would make it a primary offense, punishable by a $50 fine, for motorists to use handheld mobile phones to place or receive calls or text message while driving. The Bill is now in the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration.

Demand Equitable and Consistent Enforcement of the Vehicle Code: State Representative Angel Cruz has introduced HB2096 - a new bill that would make bicycling in Philadelphia virtually impossible. Bicyclists now are subject to the same rules of the road as motor vehicles and equitable and consistent enforcement is the answer to noncompliance of traffic laws. Ask your state representative to work with you to protect cyclists' rights to the road.

PA Walks & Bikes is committed to creating healthy, sustainable communities across Pennsylvania by making bicycling and walking safer, more convenient and more enjoyable. To learn more about us, please visit www.pawalksandbikes.org.

Become A Member Today

PA Walks & Bikes
4075 Linglestown Road,
PMB #264
Harrisburg, PA 17112