SUPPORT OF PROMOTING TRANSPORTATION CHOICES IN THE TEA-21 REAUTHORIZATION BILL
WHEREAS,
metropolitan regions throughout the United States are experiencing increased
highway and road congestion and air quality problems; and
WHEREAS,
obesity is now recognized as a leading public health threat in the United
States; and
WHEREAS,
encouraging Americans to use non-motorized transportation choices, such as
bicycling and walking, for more of their daily trips, would reduce congestion,
air quality problems, energy consumption, and obesity, and improve community
livability; and
WHEREAS,
ISTEA and TEA-21 greatly expanded our nation’s investments in bicycle and
pedestrian projects from less than $2 million per year by all 50 states
combined in the 20 years prior to ISTEA to an average of more than $200 million
during TEA-21; and
WHEREAS,
more than $2 billion of ISTEA and TEA-21 funds have been invested in bicycling
and walking since 1991; and
WHEREAS,
safe routes for bicycling, walking and other non-motorized transportation choices
are still inadequate in many urban areas; and
WHEREAS,
Congress is considering funding increases for Transportation Enhancements and
the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality programs, which provide the vast
majority of funds for bicycling and pedestrian projects; and
WHEREAS,
a recent study found that while 70 percent of parents walked or biked to
school, only 18 percent of children today walk or bike to school; and
WHEREAS,
Congress is considering formally establishing a Safe Routes to School Program
in the reauthorization of TEA-21,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United
States Conference of Mayors urges Congress to increase funding for
Transportation Enhancements and other programs that encourage non-motorized
transportation alternatives; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors urges
Congress to establish a Safe Routes to School Program in the reauthorization of
TEA-21.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 