Boy they really hate bike funding. First they got all outraged about the DOE funding bike parking in Columbus, OH and now it's a bike trail that will connect New Jersey to Pennsylvania.
Who: Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.
What: Menendez and his fellow senator from New Jersey are touting a $2.3 million upgrade to bicycle paths that will connect New Jersey to Pennsylvania.
Why it's an outrage: The grant comes from $1.5 billion in transportation funds awarded as part of the federal stimulus. Unless the new economy means we're using rickshaws for shipping, it's unclear how bike paths will "stimulate" the economy.
First of all, why is Sen. Menendez being criticized. He didn't grant the money, DOT did. He's just glad about it. Sheesh. Talk about spitting in someone else's ice cream... Is it even a good idea to have a daily outrage? That can't be good for one's health.
Jeff Peel at Bike League responds.
The paper fails to recognize bicycling as a legitimate form of transportation for starters, but also misses the point of the TIGER grants.
The bicycle industry supports nearly 1.1 million jobs and generates an estimated $17.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. This includes the over 140 bike shops and major bike manufacturer in New Jersey. Bike facilities are great at stimulating the ever more competitive tourism dollars. For example, the Outer Banks area of North Carolina saw a 9 to 1 return on their investment in bike paths and widened shoulders. TIGER grants were also about sustainable, innovative designs that improve livability. Something that increases lanes on existing highways doesn’t do enough.
I'm glad that WashCycle reads the Examiner so the rest of us don't have to.
Posted by: freewheel | February 26, 2010 at 10:07 AM
The plastic baggies are useful for cleaning up after the dog.
Posted by: SJE | February 26, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Smart investments should be ones that save money in the long run. For example, you insulate your house now to save money in the future, or you trade in your gas guzzler.
Bike infrastructure is the same. Getting more people on bikes saves money not only for individuals, but for communities. Less $ spent on roads, traffic, most immediately.
Posted by: SJE | February 26, 2010 at 02:21 PM
Bicycle infrastructure is considered transportation enhancements and doesn't like 10% of federal DOT spending have to go towards enhancement projects. Does the same notion apply to TIGER as well.
Posted by: Brendan | February 27, 2010 at 08:52 AM
Well, TE is only 10% of Surface Transportation Program money, which is one part of a state's flexible transportation funding, though I'm not sure how much. So it's 10% of a part of a part. But to answer your question there is no set-aside in TIGER grants. DOT has a lot more control over the money and a lot more freedom (as opposed to the states/Congress). You can read the criteria they used here on page 4.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14262.pdf
Posted by: washcycle | February 27, 2010 at 11:27 AM