US Transportation Secretary: A full partner at the Dept of Transportation

Karen Karabell, Chair of the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, who is here in Washington, DC, with a nice contingent from the St. Louis area for the National Bike Summit, filed this report of the Bike Summit events today.

The morning started with a speech from U.S Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood:

LaHood said that the era of "one size fits all" transportation is over. "I want all of you to know that you're going to have a full partner at the Department of Transportation," he said. "Livable communities is a part of our agenda."

Rep. Doris Matsui, D-CA, is introducing "Complete Streets" legislation on Capitol Hill this week that has more "teeth" in it (penalties for state DOTs that don't accommodate all users in Federally-funded transportation projects). "I am constantly looking for new ways to encourage people to travel by bike," she said, adding that America can no longer afford to build roads that accommodate only cars. "Those days of irresponsible transportation investment are over," she said.

"Cycling is a part of America's economic recovery," said Earl Blumenauer, the Portland congressman who has championed bicycling as a legitimate and desirable transportation choice for many years. His assertion is backed up by Tim Blumenthal, head of Bikes Belong, a lobbying group for the bicycle industry. Blumenthal said that sixty-five jobs are created for every million dollars spent on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements. Among Federal projects, this apparently is an impressive ratio.

Blumenthal said that almost 50 percent of all auto trips are less than 3 miles. (Imagine the possibilities...)

The campaign director for America Bikes, Caron Whitaker, told of being stopped in a hallway last week by a staff member of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Are you a bicycle lobbyist, the staffer asked. When Caron said yes, she replied: "We always hear from the bicyclists first--and loudest."

Again from Earl Blumenauer: "I hope that your message on Capitol Hill this week is that you are pedaling what America needs."

Wish us luck tomorrow as we visit our Missouri delegation. And thanks again, so very much, for your help from home.

More coverage of the 2009 National Bike Summit from MoBikeFed and from Bike Portland.