Congress is moving us back decades in terms of supporting biking and walking as part of the nation's transportation infrastructure.

Both the House and the Senate are working on federal transportation funding legislation. Both pieces of legislation are bad for bicycling. The House bill, in particular, is an almost complete reversal of a successful, moderate, twenty year trend to support biking and walking through programs such as Safe Routes to School, Transportation Enhancements, and the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality fund. HR 7 does away with all of these. If it passes and becomes the new federal transportation regime, HR 7 will put us on a path toward more congestion, fewer options, worse air quality, and a less healthy poipulation.

The Senate bill, S. 1813, also known as MAP-21, is not much better, but an amendment has been introduced that would significantly improve the legislation.

TAKE ACTION:

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has a very simple advocacy tool where you can quickly contact both your Rep and GA's Senators about the House & Senate versions of the transportation bill. Bottom line: we want to Kill the House Bill (HR 7) and we want support for the Cardin-Cochran amendment to the Senate bill (S. 1813, aka "MAP-21"). Take Action TODAY!

...and, if at all possible, please consider joining the Georgia delegation at the National Bike Summit. We'll be meeting with Congress to explain the many benefits of investment in better bicycling conditions in Georgia's communities. Hope you can make it!

For an inspiring example of how powerful local advocacy can be, see the success story below from Communicycle, one of our 2011 Seed Grant recipients. If you have an innovative bicycle advocacy project or program in Georgia that could use $1,500 to get started, check out our 2012 Seed Grant program!

Communicycle has been operating a bicycle co-op in Chamblee, GA for the past four years, helping neighbors obtain bicycles for transportation and teaching them to keep their bikes in good repair. Time and again, people would contact the Communicycle leaders with the idea of bringing the concept to the Clarkston community.

Communicycle Clarkston opened its doors last summer, and with the help of a seed grant from Georgia Bikes, the shop is outfitted with the necessary tools and supplies to keep people rolling. Open to everyone, the shop operates adjacent to the recreation field at the Clarkston Community center. Since opening its doors six months ago, Communicycle has helped Clarkston youth and adults obtain and repair over 150 bicycles.

Visit communicycle.org for shop locations, hours of operation, and more information about the program.

Keep up the great work, Communicycle!