5 FEB 2006: Ask MoDOT director to mention bike/ped issues in Tuesday's State of Transportation address

[RESULT: Director Rahn did mention bicycling incidentally during his speech--an improvement from last year when there was no mention at all. Next year, though--we demand substance.]

Expires: Tuesday, February 7th, 2006
Want a little advocacy challenge to go with your Super Bowl Sunday?

Shoot MoDOT Director Pete Rahn a quick email asking him to mention--just MENTION--bicycle and pedestrian issues in his State of Transportation address next Tuesday. His email:

Pete.Rahn@modot.mo.gov

Details
MoDOT Director Pete Rahn is giving his yearly "State of Transportation" address to the MO legislature Tuesday Feb. 7th.

I looked over his address from last year, and there is something important missing.

He talks a lot about highways of course. And he mentions all the alternatives, like transit, airports, bus, freight, rail, ports, etc.

But NOWHERE, not ONCE, does he mention bicycling or walking.

Over 25% of Missourians do not have a driver's license.

Over 8% of Missouri households have no access to a motor vehicle.

More Missourians walk or bicycle to work than use transit.

27% of Missourians bicycle regularly (at least once a month in good weather months).

Almost 10% of roadway fatalities and 14% of roadway injuries in Missouri are bicyclists and pedestrians.

What does all this add up to?

Well he doesn't have to spend his whole speech on us, but he could afford a lousy sentence or two.

MoBikeFed has written asking him to cover bike/ped, as has a representative of the KC-area Sierra Club. At least one member of the Missouri General Assembly has officially asked.

If you would like to add your voice to the chorus, a short email is all it would take.

As always, please be positive and persuasive:

Pete.Rahn@modot.mo.gov

MoDOT really does have some positive things to talk about this year:

1. $25 million Columbia Non-motorized Pilot Project will put Missouri in the national spotlight.

2. The new Safe Routes to Schools program has the potential to positively impact every Missouri community.

3. MoDOT has an active bike/ped program and is doing a much better job of listening to their constituents about bike/ped needs.

4. A small but significant portion of their budget is spent on bike/ped, mostly through the federal Transportation Enhancements and CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality) programs.

Pete.Rahn@modot.mo.gov