This being National Bike Week, we just have to ask: is Obama showing America's cyclists some love?
It's a fair question for a president who promised during his campaign to increase funding for bike and pedestrian projects, and right now there seems to be reason for cautious optimism. Advocates remain hopeful that stimulus money will be funneled into bike projects, pro-bike members of Congress are finally having their voices heard, and the Department of Transportation is at least paying lip service to the idea of a more bike-friendly transportation policy.
Ray LaHood, the new Transportation Secretary, remains the biggest question mark when it comes to progressive bike policy. Advocates from almost every corner of the bicycling world expressed disbelief and/or disappointment when he was nominated, but so far he's talking a good game. LaHood spoke at this year's National Bike Summit, and while he seemed slightly uncomfortable (maybe he just doesn't give great speeches), he promised his audience of bike lovers that they had a committed partner in the Department of Transportation and spoke on several occasions of livable cities, which hasn't exactly been a catchphrase in previous administrations. He also mentioned that he and his wife like to ride comfort bikes.
Later, in a post on his Fast Lane blog, he argued that the stimulus bill provides plenty of cash for bike infrastructure projects.
While this is good news, and factually accurate, it needs to be pointed out that this doesn't mean states will spend 3-percent of their stimulus money on bike programs. It means only that 3-percent must go to a package of programs that include landscaping and scenic beautfication, construction of welcome centers, archaeological planning and research, and historic preservation. All worthy endeavors for sure, but not exactly a bike-lovers buffet.
What concerns people most about LaHood is his overall lack of knowledge regarding transportation issues. “I don’t think they picked me because they thought I’d be that great a transportation person,” LaHood toldthe New York Times, apparently with a straight face. "They picked me because of the bipartisan thing, and the Congressional thing, and the friendship thing.” That doesn't inspire confidence, considering that he oversees a $70 billion agency with 56,000 employees. And when LaHood concedes that he would have been just as happy to be named head of the agriculture department, you have to wonder if he has the vision to develop and implement a progressive bike policy.
But while the jury may still be out on LaHood, there are long time bike-boosters in Congress whose voices are finally being heard. The most outspoken is Oregon Rep Earl Blumenauer, who has long advocated biking as a smart, cost-effective way to address everything from climate change to obesity, and is founder of the Congressional Bike Caucus, a 182-member strong non-partisan group of Representatives that aims to promote biking by improving infrastructure and increasing awareness of cyclists (LaHood was a member of this group during his time in Congress). Perhaps symbolizing the new clout bike initiatives are finding in Congress, this fall Blumentauer, after many tries, pushed through a bill that offers tax breaks to employers that encourage biking.
And during last year's National Bike Summit in Washington, he chided members of Congress for not taking cycling more seriously.
It's people like Blumentauer who give us hope that a more progressive policy is in the works. If Obama's administration is truly open to new ideas, you can bet that Blumentauer and his progressive colleagues will have plenty to share. They'll be the ones that push for a transportation policy that respects and supports bikes, and the people who ride them.
Photo: Flickr/pugetsoundphotowalks
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