{"id":2767,"date":"2013-02-22T15:14:13","date_gmt":"2013-02-22T23:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wabikes.org\/?p=2767"},"modified":"2013-02-22T15:14:13","modified_gmt":"2013-02-22T23:14:13","slug":"keep-your-eyes-on-the-prize-its-time-to-go-get-the-transportation-investments-we-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wabikes.org\/index.php\/2013\/02\/22\/keep-your-eyes-on-the-prize-its-time-to-go-get-the-transportation-investments-we-need\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep your Eyes on the Prize: It\u2019s Time to Go Get the Transportation Investments We Need"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Wednesday, Rep. Judy Clibborn, chair of the House Transportation Committee, proposed a <\/span>transportation revenue package<\/a> that invests less than 0.5% of $10 billion in walking and biking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now we need you.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We need you to tell the legislature that you support a realistic, forward-looking transportation proposal<\/strong> that meets the needs of our kids walking to school, our seniors who need safer streets to maintain their transportation independence, and bicycle users who want safe, connected trails and roads to get where they need to go.<\/p>\n

This package needs to go further. The current proposal keeps investments in walking and biking at a standstill. That simply isn\u2019t going to build the transportation system we need for a safe, accessible, connected future for everyone<\/strong> whether you bike, walk, use transit, or drive.<\/p>\n

Not since 2005 has there been an opportunity of this magnitude to grow investments in biking and walking. With approximately $6 billion in non-motorized projects waiting for funding\u2014a figure that doesn\u2019t even include every bike\/pedestrian project at the local level\u2014this opportunity is critical for improving safety and growing bicycling statewide. And yet the package in its current form could keep investments low until the 2020s.<\/p>\n

How many decades will it take to right-size investments in the healthiest forms of transportation? That\u2019s the real question we face.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We need your help now to let legislators know that waiting 10 more years is too long and that we expect the state\u2019s transportation investments to make a real difference in everyone\u2019s ability to travel freely and safely.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We need you to let them know that <\/span>these investments just make sense<\/strong>\u2014that projects to enable everyone from 8 to 80 to walk or bike will reduce maintenance costs for the streets, reduce air and water pollution, increase access to transit as another essential element in the mix, and improve the health and well-being of our people and our local economies.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s not just good for us as people who ride bikes; that\u2019s good for us as the taxpayers who already foot the bill for a system that doesn\u2019t do enough for us.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the House Transportation Committee is poised to hear the proposal. We\u2019ll be there to make the case that this package is a start but needs to get much better to invest in connectivity, safety, and livability\u2014but we need you to make the case directly to your legislators.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Please write your elected officials right now<\/strong> to tell them that we can\u2019t wait 10 more years for safer sidewalks to our schools, better paths to connect our neighborhoods and workplaces, and more complete streets for all roadway users. We can\u2019t afford to settle for a package that doesn\u2019t get us where we need to go\u2014that\u2019s what transportation is all about, after all!<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re with us and you would support a package only if it includes substantive investments in walking and biking,<\/strong> use any or all of the following points to send a note to your legislator now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re with us on this. Now what?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Contact your legislator right away.<\/strong>\u00a0Enter your mailing address on\u00a0the district finder form<\/a>\u00a0(choose Legislative, not Congressional) and follow the instructions on the site to reach a contact form. Focus on your state representatives.<\/p>\n

What your legislator needs to hear about supporting a package that invests in walking, biking, and livability\u2014the package we and others in the Transportation for Washington coalition have been calling for<\/a> over the course of the months leading up to the session\u2014<\/p>\n