Hello Friends,
Some of you may have received the emails yesterday from our national bicycle organizations regarding Congressman Mica's comments on eliminating bike funding because it doesn't serve a federal purpose (see the email below from People for Bikes). I wanted to give you some further background. This is a significant statement due to Rep. Mica's position as the Chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. Unfortunately, Rep. Mica has been making statements like these for awhile. We have yet to see a Transportation Bill or any type of legislation proposal that we can take action on. Bike Fed is following our federal funding issue and will continue to keep you updated. Federal funding through Safe Routes to School and Transportation Enhancements fund a significant portion of our local programs and infrastructure. It's incredibly important that we protect this funding. If you would like to make calls to your representatives, I would encourage you to do so. It's important that our elected officials know you support bicycling funding and oppose statements like the one Rep. Mica has made. Our Wisconsin Congressman who represents us on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Tom Petri, is very supportive of bicycle issues. We'll continue to keep you updated. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. Kind Regards, Amanda ________________________ Amanda White Associate Director Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin (608) 251-4456 [email protected] www.bfw.org Dear Amanda, *This is Urgent!* *Federal funding for bicycling and walking is in jeopardy*. We need you to send a short email today to your members of Congress<http://peopleforbikes.org/page/m/67f21ff5/3a915034/26d472d/3af390a0/292584282/VEsE/> . Today, Congressman John Mica of Florida, Chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, outlined his plans for the new transportation bill and called for the elimination of dedicated funding for biking and walking programs, which he suggested, “do not serve a federal purpose.” In the Senate, James Inhofe of Oklahoma is leading a similar attack. Inhofe, a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said that one of his top-three priorities for the next multi-year federal transportation bill is to eliminate “frivolous spending for bike trails.” If Representative Mica and Senator Inhofe get their way, dedicated funding for three crucial programs -- Safe Routes to School, Transportation Enhancements, and Recreational Trails -- will be eliminated. The cost-effective federal investment in bicycling that is making our nation better will shrink dramatically. We can’t allow this to happen. *That’s why we are asking you to reach out to the two U.S. Senators and the U.S. Representative who represent you in Congress. Ask them to support ongoing, dedicated funding for biking and walking in the next transportation bill. *(You can find your representatives and send your note directly from our website. Click here to review clear, basic, suggested text for your email<http://peopleforbikes.org/page/m/67f21ff5/3a915034/26d472d/3af390a0/292584282/VEsF/>. Feel free to customize it and/or add a personal story.) Your simple messages will make a difference. You can help refute Representative Mica’s and Senator Inhofe’s unreasonable, counterproductive cuts. You can help assure that progress will continue in all 50 states to make bicycling safer and better for people of all ages. At peopleforbikes.org, our goal is to unify support for bicycling and celebrate all the great things that happen when people ride bikes. Occasionally, we need to stand strong together to keep bicycling on track. *This is one of those times!* Thanks for your support and your quick response to this call to action. Tim Blumenthal Director, Peopleforbikes.org
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