House members suggest eliminating walking, bicycling, Safe Routes to School programs

House GOP leaders have proposed a plan to cut government spending that includes eliminating funding for programs that provide sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and the Safe Routes to School program.

Under the proposal, the Transportation Enhancements program--the primary funding source for bicycle and pedestrian projects under current transportation law--would be eliminated.

The proposal, put forward by GOP leaders who are currently in the minority in both the House and the Senate, has little chance of being put into effect as proposed--and the proposed cuts to bicycle and pedestrian programs in fact have broad bi-partisan support.

Still the simple fact that the cuts have been proposed shows that these congressional leaders don't get it--either the importance of providing safe, complete bicycle and pedestrian access or the widespread public support for bicycle and pedestrian access.

Let's lay out the very good reasons for including funding for bicycling and walking in federal transportation programs:

• More people are bicycling and walking for basic transportation than ever--partly fueled by high gas prices and now the recession
• Somewhere over 30% of U.S. citizens don't have a driver's license and around 10% of households--including many in small towns and rural areas--don't own an automobile
• Federally funded roads and highways go very close to or into nearly every neighborhood in the U.S. (keep in mind that not only do U.S. and state highways receive federal funding, but most every major city street is eligible, too)
• These federally funded roads are exactly the biggest impediments to safe bicycling and walking. As a rule, bicyclists and pedestrians can't safely travel along them--or even safely cross them--unless special care is taken in planning, design, and construction