ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the Active Transportation Newsletter! For those new to the list, this regular publication is a component of our 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation to double federal funding for trails, walking and biking by 2010. The emphasis is on securing focused investments in active transportation in communities across America.

Through these regular newsletters, you will:

• stay up-to-date on campaign activities such as our national conference in Portland, August 8-10;
• learn best practices from other communities (including the four Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Projects);
• have opportunities to share your experiences with others;
• hear about new research findings, and;
• receive tips about how best to conduct your local active transportation campaigns.

Please let us know if you have suggestions for a future issue.

Fact:
	A National Association of Homebuilders study cited by the New York Times found that trails are the No. 1 amenity potential homeowners cite when looking at moving into a new community.

Contents of this issue:

1. TrailLink 2007: Less Than One Month To Go!
2. Transportation Enhancements: Protect TE!

1. TrailLink 2007: Less Than One Month To Go

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s bi-annual conference, TrailLink 2007, will take place in Portland, Ore. August 8-10. Conference participants will gain the tools to champion active transportation in their communities.

Attendance is particularly crucial for representatives from communities engaged in Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation, aiming to elevate local biking and walking while securing federal resources for such improvements.

Participants will learn about cutting-edge research, attracting new partners to the movement, and how to succinctly communicate the benefits of active transportation with targeted audiences. Program tracks include mobility, public health, economic development, climate and community.

Registration rates will increase on July 22, so download a registration form today!

For more information, please contact Kartik Srinivas at kartik@railstotrails.org or 202.974.5111.

2. Transportation Enhancements: Protect TE!

On Wednesday, June 20, a 2007 Appropriations Act mandated yet another rescission for $870 million. Speak up for Transportation Enhancements (TE), the nation's largest funding source for trails, walking and biking. DOT heads must make their decisions by Friday, July 20, so please act now.

Please read on for background, including results from a March 2007 rescission order and a House bill that aims to protect TE in the future.

In response to three rescission orders in 2006 totaling $3.84 billion, states cut more than $600 million from Transportation Enhancements (TE) - the equivalent of nine months’ of funding. When another rescission order was issued in March 2007 for a similar amount, RTC led a national campaign, resulting in one-third of the cuts experienced in 2006.

Nonetheless, $200 million was still a disproportionate cut to TE relative to other transportation programs, with some states still unfairly targeting TE. A detailed table of cuts by state is available here.

In June, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee passed a provision requiring future TE cuts be proportional to cuts from other programs. RTC supporters with congressional representatives on this committee quickly acted, asking their representatives to ensure TE will not be unfairly targeted in future rescissions.  If it passes the full Congress, this bill will prevent state transportation departments from gutting TE. 

In the meantime, with this newest rescission order for $870 million, TE is once again in danger of being disproportionately targeted. RTC has issued another call to action. Please call your state DOT head and speak up for TE.

Dear Advocate,

We hope this newsletter is helpful. Please contact your Rails-to-Trails Conservancy community contact with any questions regarding your local 2010 Campaign for Active Transportation.

See you at TrailLink 2007 in August!

Be sure these messages don't get sent to your junk mail folder. Add activetransportation@railstotrails.org to your safe senders list in your address book.

Photo credit: Portland skyline with Mt. Hood in the distance. © Portland Oregon Visitors Association

Works cited:
Melekian, Bradley. "From Kitchen to the Wild in 30 Seconds." New York Times. September 7, 2006.