U.S. transportation secretary calls biking a “win, win, win”
On March 15, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood issued a major, new policy statement on biking and walking regulations.
In what LaHood calls, “the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized,” the statement includes an unprecedented number of bike-friendly recommendations – many of them precisely what peopleforbikes.org and our partners are pushing for.
The Department of Transportation has been flooded with phones calls, emails, and letters from people commenting on the new policy. Most, though not all, reviews have been positive.
To clarify his department's intent and to address concerns, LaHood spoke with the New York Times this week about his reasons for introducing the policy. “What Americans want is to get out of their cars, and get out of congestion…” he said. They want “… the opportunity on the weekends and during the week to have the chance to bike to work, to bike to the store, to spend time with their family on a bike.”
Lahood also explains why bike facilities are a cost-effective investment – calling them a "win, win, win" that incorporate benefits for transportation, health, and the environment – and the timing behind his rollout of the policy.
Although this policy statement is not yet backed by law (or penalities for non-compliance) it is the strongest positive proclamation about bicycling ever issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation – and a big step for our cause!
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