This just in from the Safe Routes to School National Partnership:

An amendment to prevent federal New Starts funding from being used to install sidewalks, bike racks, and lighting as part of new transit projects — essentially making it much more difficult to create safe, cost-effective and affordable ways for people to get to new lines and stations  — was narrowly defeated, 214 to 212, this week. Please thank your Congressmember!

The amendment was introduced by U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, late in the evening of June 9 when the House was considering the federal transportation appropriations bill. Rep. David Price, a Democrat from North Carolina, led the opposition, talking about how it would make walking and biking more dangerous, and take way local decision-making and planning authority over local transportation systems.

A total of 32 Republicans joined 182 Democrats to oppose the amendment. Safe Routes to School points out that this was the first time there has been a floor vote on bicycling and walking in many years, providing a better understanding about which Representaties are supportive and which need to better understand the issues.

This is why taking a few minutes to thank your Congressmember is important. Safe Routes makes it easy: Click this link.

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