Transpo. Sec. Ray LaHood on his blog: “Cyclists are important users of transportation systems”
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor-in-Chief) on March 16th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
at the National Bike Summit.
(Photo © J. Maus)
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has followed up his encouraging keynote speech at the National Bike Summit — where he said bike advocates “have a full partner at the US DOT” — with a post on his “Welcome to the Fast Lane” blog titled, “Cyclists are important users of transportation systems”.
The post is a reflection on his speech at the Summit. Here’s an excerpt (emphasis mine):
“…I don’t think the League of American Bicyclists knew what to expect when they invited me to their summit.
I hope they were pleasantly surprised because I am committed to investing in programs that encourage bikes to coexist with other modes and to safely share our roads and bridges. And there’s strong support in Congress for these goals as well.
….I think I conveyed that excitement to the summit, judging by the early response (BikePortland.org, Streetsblog.org)
I welcome the vigor of the bicycling community in advocating for bike-friendly measures in the upcoming authorization bill, CLEAN-TEA. Bicycles are a critical part of a cleaner, greener future in American transportation, so keep those wheels spinning.”
I’m not sure what I like best about this. The fact that the Transportation Secretary has a blog (it needs a new name though), LaHood’s recognition of bicycles and a sense that he really “gets it”, the part when he said he “welcomes the vigor” of the bike community, or the fact that he linked to BikePortland.org.
Wow. The transportation authorization bill effort should be very interesting to watch unfold.
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Possibly related posts - First outline of new federal transportation bill expected Thursday
- Obama makes pick for Transpo. Secretary (it’s not who you think it is)
- US DOT Sec. proposes extension, changes to current transpo. bill
- LaHood and the potential for livable communities
- Sec. LaHood: “You have a full partner at the US DOT”
March 16th, 2009 12:28
good job Jonathan. I'm curious to see how much traffic is generated from the link from “Welcome to the Fast Lane”
March 16th, 2009 13:04
Wow that is a pretty bold statement from a boomer Republican and cabinet member. With so much crappy news out there, this really brightens my day.
March 16th, 2009 13:35
"I’m not sure what I like best about this." says it!
March 16th, 2009 13:42
"I am committed to investing in programs that encourage bikes to coexist with other modes and to safely share our roads and bridges."
Because we're the ones who have trouble sharing the roads...
March 16th, 2009 15:47
That does help me feel better about the world. Yay!
March 16th, 2009 17:40
B-Portland link on Trans Sec blog? Yep. I'd say that's pretty HUGE! Congrats.
March 16th, 2009 17:43
This is a significant statement from the admminstration's sec of transportation. It's a pretty amazing statement actually. I am hopeful it will be backed up by funds and actions and laws. If not we have the statement to come back to and hold feet to the fire.
March 16th, 2009 17:47
Hmmmm. Reserved optimism courses through me. Kudos for the link!
March 16th, 2009 20:32
Not be a downer, but while the rhetoric is encouraging it's a shame all the stimulus dollars - an unprecedented public expenditure - can't be better directed to bike projects. In other words, I like the rhetoric but I like to follow the money. And the money isn't going to bikes.
March 16th, 2009 21:13
I wonder if they just took over the former Transportation Secretary's blog because I think hers' was called "Welcome to the Fast Lane" [I think]
March 17th, 2009 00:40
Wow. Awesome!
March 17th, 2009 07:32
[...] Matthew Yglesias talks about how congestion pricing would benefit low-income Californians, and Bike Portland follows up on Transpo Secretary Ray LaHood's positive comments at last week's National Bike [...]
March 17th, 2009 20:45
Here are videos of the morning speakers at the National Bike Summit on Wednesday, March 11.
US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5323865082882842828
US Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-3rd)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5527072340327644893
US Representative Daniel Lipinski (IL-3rd)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2784701150857668849
US Representative Doris Matsui (CA-5th)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5225171971519783674