7 July 2003: Support Safe Routes to School in the next federal transportation bill

SUPPORT THE OBERSTAR PACE BILL
Ask your Representative to be a co-sponsor

On June 18th, Congressman Oberstar (D-Minn) announced the introduction of a bill to create a strong national Safe Routes to School program. It's a great bill, but we need the bicycle COMMUNITY to speak up.

Please write a letter or make a call to your Representative today asking him or her to become a co-sponsor of Oberstar's bill, the Pedestrian and Cyclist Equity Act of 2003 (PACE). LINKS TO A sample letter and talking points are below.

PACE would send $250 million per year to states to create safer streets around schools and encourage bicycling and walking. Other elements of PACE provide grants to increase physical activity and build three model communities. PACE will likely be folded into the reauthorization of TEA-21.

The bill faces a long road through Congress. First, we must convince the US House of Representatives to support PACE. Representatives show their support by signing on as a "co-sponsor" of the bill. A similar bill will likely be introduced in the US Senate soon, but right now, we're just targeting the US House of Representatives.

Your voice is important, as Representatives listen closely to business people from their districts. Please send your letter or make the call by July 11th.

Find your Representative and the address at http://americabikes.org. For more
information about PACE including a list of current co-sponsors, visit http://americabikes.org