The Active Community Transportation Act of 2009
In 2005, partly as a result of the PedNet Coalition and its’ thousands of members, Columbia was selected as one of four cities to take part in the Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Project. That program, known locally as GetAbout Columbia, has allowed our city to create better active-transportation infrastructure such as new bike lanes, safer street crossings, and more trail connectors. Funding was also available for the PedNet Coalition to create and expand some great encouragement and educational programs such as Neighbors on the Go, Way to Go to Work, Errand Bikes, the Walking School Bus, Bike Walk and Wheel Week and Confident City Cycling.
The result is that Columbia is much more bicycle and pedestrian friendly now and has significantly increased the number of safe, regular bicyclist and walkers. In 2009 Columbia was awarded a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly City designation by the League of American Bicyclists.
The initial six-year pilot project is wrapping up, but this does not have to be the end of bicycle and pedestrian improvements in Columbia or the U.S. The Active Community Transportation Act of 2009
consists of pending legislation in the US House, which builds on the successes of the four pilot cities by expanding the program to include more communities and more funding for better infrastructure.
One out of three Americans does not have access to a car and thus depends on bicycling, walking, or transit for their transportation needs. This legislation will allow hundreds of cities to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety by improving conditions and creating programs aimed at increasing safety.
PedNet members: Contact Rep. Luetkemeyer if you live in Columbia or your own State Representative and tell him or her that you support the Active Community Transportation Act.
