Legislators, bicycling and walking enthusiasts, health organizations and other supporters gathered on the state Capitol steps Tuesday calling for comprehensive transportation funding that includes a first-ever investment in active modes of transportation – walking and bicycling.

Rally participants praised the State Senate for recent passage of Senate Bill 1 (Rafferty-R -Montgomery), which included dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, as an important first-step in support of active transportation.

Currently, Pennsylvania lags behind other states when it comes to dedicated funding for these modes of travel. Even though bicycling and walking compose 12 percent of all trips in Pennsylvania, NO state transportation funding is dedicated to bicycle or pedestrian projects.

Supporters at the rally raised key reasons why the state should invest in more walking and biking pathways around the state. Providing more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly roads and communities improves safety and opportunities for more physical activity. Safe spaces for walking and biking are good for the environment and can draw in more tourists boosting jobs and the economy.

Highlighting the growing importance of alternative modes of travel, Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon); Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton); Rep. Tom Killion (R-Delaware County) and Rep. Mark Longietti (D-Mercer) announced the creation of a legislative Bicycle Caucus.  This caucus will be comprised of lawmakers who support ways to promote bicycling in the Commonwealth.

“I praise these co-chairs for launching this Bicycle Caucus — their bi-partisan commitment demonstrates how important it is to think about walking and bicycling as an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, an economic engine, and a means to improved public health across Pennsylvania,” said Steve Doster, who heads Walk & Ride PA, a coalition dedicated to state funding for bicycle and pedestrian pathways in the state. Doster also runs Mission:Readiness, an national security organization of retired generals and admirals that focus on childhood obesity issues. 

“For all of these reasons that benefit our state, legislators need to listen to the supporters here today and make certain the final comprehensive transportation funding bill includes dedicated funding for bicycles and pedestrians,” said Doster.

Doster was joined by Brad Mallory, former PennDOT Secretary and current deputy secretary there, Shaun Underkoffler of the York City Bureau of Health. York has made a commitment to create a more walkable, bicycle assessable city.

Also speaking at the event were Jennifer Ebersole of the American Heart Association, Alex Doty of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, George Wolff of the Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition and Dan Miles, who survived a bike accident in 2012.

The speakers focused on four reasons why funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities is so important to the Commonwealth:

-- Safety: Pennsylvania had 4,770 pedestrian and 1,379 bicyclist traffic-related injuries in 2012. One of the reasons for the number of accidents is because Pennsylvania has more rural roads than any other state that are shared by cars, trucks, farm equipment, bicycles and non-motorized vehicles. Designated walkways and bicycle friendly roads improve safe travel for all users.

-- Obesity: The rates of obesity among children have tripled within the last three decades. Studies show that half the adults and adolescents don’t get the recommended amount of daily physical activity. Better connecting communities for walking and biking will help people build physical activity into their daily routines.

-- Air Pollution: Cars produce 30 percent of the CO2 emissions and 80 percent of the CO emissions each year. In addition, a trip to work by bicycle keeps about 10 pounds of pollutants out of the air.

-- Jobs: Increasing walking and biking paths in the state is good for the economy. Bikers and hikers, for example, have brought in nearly $24 million in revenue to the Great Allegheny Passage of Western Pennsylvania.  Bicycle friendly trails and roads will open Pennsylvania up to a larger share of the $46.9 billion that bicyclists spend each year for food, lodging, gifts and local entertainment.

Walk & Ride PA encourages people to contact their legislators and tell them that Pennsylvania needs a comprehensive transportation funding plan that supports a first-ever state investment in active modes of transportation to expand Pennsylvania’s walking and biking pathways.

For more information, visit the Walk and Ride PA website.

6/17/2013