[M II A II R II K]

US Transportation Secretary pushes bike reform


6 Apr 2010

By Kirsten Frattini

Read More: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/articl...-reform--25643

Ray LaHood, the US Secretary of Transportation, encouraged the Department of Transportation to raise bicycling and walking to equal terms with motorized forms of transportation in a new policy statement this month. LaHood announced the need for major reform in transportation policy on the Department of Transportation blog several weeks ago. The Policy Statement on Bicycling and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendation was signed on March 11 and announced on March 15.

“This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized,” LaHood said.

The statement puts walking and bicycling on equal ground with other transportation modes. It ensures that there are transportation choices for people of all ages and abilities, especially children. The policy recommendation asks urban planners to go beyond a minimum design standard and integrates bicycle and pedestrian accommodation on rehabilitated and limited-access bridges.

The statement seeks data to set targets for walking and biking trips. It also sets provisions for maintaining sidewalks and shared-use paths, in the same way roadways are maintained, especially during snowy weather. It requires the improvement of non-motorized facilities during maintenance projects.

The statement is similar to the fast growing Complete Streets policy whereby cycling advocates support a redesign for road use to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and transit passengers and to build road networks that are safer for everyone.

A 'complete street' has provisions for motorized and non-motorized users.