At the end of May, BikeTexas proudly signed on to two letters thanking Obama Administration officials for embracing bike-friendly policies. The first letter, put together by America Bikes, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, and Transportation for America, was directed to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. As we discussed in the last newsletter, Secretary LaHood has announced his plan to end the “favoring of motorized transportation over non-motorized”, and to integrate the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. This is a huge step forward in federal transportation policy, and BikeTexas is happy to add our thanks to Secretary LaHood.
Click here to see a .pdf of the press release and the text of the letter to Secretary LaHood.
The second letter, also organized by America Bikes, thanked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director Thomas Frieden. The CDC released Recommendations for Improving Health Through Transportation Policy. Included in their policy recommendations is support for active transportation and roadway safety, for complete streets and biking and walking connectivity, and for increased governnment investment in biking, walking and Safe Routes to School. It is very encouraging that those in the public health field are recognizing the enormous health and safety benefits that can be realized by encouraging more Americans to bike and walk though transportation infrastructure.
To read the new CDC policy, click here.
