Secretary of Transportation "Bicycling is an important factor in less carbon-intensive commuting"

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood took the opportunity on Earth Day to write about the funding opportunities for cycling and the importance the new administration places on transportational cycling on his blog "Fastlane".

A number of funding opportunities exist, but cycling advocates must get their cities and states to request funds for these purposes. Many states, counties, and municipalities have already done so.

When I told the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit that "Cyclists are important users of America's transportation systems," I meant it. And, when I wrote that "With DOT, bicyclists have a full partner in working toward livable communities," I meant that as well. President Obama has challenged us to transform the way transportation serves the American people by creating more choices and encouraging less carbon-intensive transportation, and we are working hard on that challenge.

The response from cyclists (this one included) has been overwhelmingly positive.

Tip.

Beyond DC compares this Secretary of Transportation with the last.

Photo by WABA - btw, these bikes weren't always included as part of the display of transportation systems at the US DOT headquarters and were added in, I think, after Peters left.

Comments

[darren]

no, the bikes were installed outside the DOT building last summer, before the election

[Jonathan Krall]

It's nice to see political change happening, but the thinking is still "cars essential, everything else optional". Transit is being cut everywhere lately while not one road or highway is being abandoned. We need parity between road funding and non-road funding ASAP.