Roadside Wire

Obama puts cars and people on equal footing

Published on Saturday, 20 March 2010 14:05

During the last election, we scanned the websites of both Obama and McCain looking for some indication on where they stood on transportation policy. At the time, we found both candidates had little to say in any detail about where we should be spending the billions of dollars the federal government outlays for related infrastructure. Now we have an answer, and as far as I’m concerned, it couldn’t be better news. This comes from Wired​.com. Let us know what you think.

Feds Deem Pedestrians, Cyclists and Motorists Equals

At long last, the feds have said the needs of pedestrians and cyclists must be placed alongside, not behind, those of motorists.

In what amounts to a sea change for the Department of Transportation, the automobile will no longer be the prime consideration in federal transportation planning. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the needs of pedestrians and cyclists will be considered along with those of motorists, and he makes it clear that walking and riding are “an important component for livable communities.”

“People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning,” LaHood wrote on his blog. “This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-​motorized.”

He goes on:

We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-​funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

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