As if the jobless rate, sagging economy, and overall malaise over the state of the nation weren't enough, if Republicans like Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) and House Transportation Chairman John Mica (R-FL) have their way, pretty soon you won't even be able to enjoy a ride, walk or run on your local bike trail to take your mind off your troubles. Mica's transportation bill will eliminate dedicated funding for bicycling and walking, which in his opinion are 'not in the federal interest'. Inhofe didn't even sugar-coat it, calling spending for bike trails 'frivolous'.
So, with obesity at an all-time high and depression and suicide rates soaring, keep sitting on your fat asses, people, because the Republicans want you to be as miserable as they are so you will blame all your problems on the government.
In a recent article from the League of American Bicyclists, House Transportation Chairman John Mica (R-FL) announced that his transportation bill will eliminate dedicated funding for bicycling and walking, including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program, and discourages states from choosing to spend their dollars on these activities.
In January, Senator Inhofe said the only way to sell a highway bill to his Republican colleagues would be to pare it back and cut waste. According to Canada Free Press, Inhofe stated that anything that is not related to transportation needs to be cut from the bill. He said pet projects like Capitol dome repairs and recreational bike paths make up about 3 percent of the current bill—an unacceptable number considering that it draws from the cash-strapped Highway Trust Fund.
Not in the federal interest? Biking and walking make up 12 percent of all trips in the US – even as funding for biking and walking projects only accounts for 1.5% of the federal transportation budget. That is more than 4 billion bicycle trips and 40 billion walking trips a year, including trips to work, school, shopping and for recreation and tourism.
Frivolous? Two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths are on federally funded highways. One-third of children’s traffic deaths happen when children are walking or bicycling and are struck by cars. Bicycling and walking programs build sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways—improving accessibility and saving lives.
Funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is a very efficient use of federal transportation dollars. Portland, OR built 300 miles of bike lanes and trails for the cost of one mile of highway. These projects create jobs and build local economies. Building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building road-only projects per million dollars spent.
- 15 minutes of cycling, to and from work will burn 11 pounds of fat in a year.
- 30 minutes of cycling a day reduces risk of heart disease and stroke by 35%.
- 1 hour of cycling a day decreases mortality risk by 35%.
So......are we going to take this lying down? Absolutely not! If you want to do something about it, sign a petition from the League of American Bicyclists. It's fast and easy, and who knows? Maybe some of these politicians will listen.