My view from atop the table at the National Bike Summit

This picture © J. Maus of Bike Portland. View the Bike Portland Flickr stream here.

By now you may have heard about my "tabletop speech" at the National Bike Summit last week.

If you missed the summit or want to relive the excitement, here's some footage courtesy of Streetsblog SF; it's a bit jumpy, but that seems entirely consistent with the scene.

Somewhere in the frenzy, I managed to thank summit-goers for being such effective advocates for livable, sustainable, bike-friendly communities.

Well, that was fun, but the dust has settled and I have news. The crowd's enthusiasm was so contagious, the idea of introducing a major policy revision in that setting quickly evaporated.

Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.

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.

To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:

• Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
• Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
• Go beyond minimum design standards.
• Collect data on walking and biking trips.
• Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
• Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
• Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.

Now, this is a start, but it's an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.

Photo by Jeffrey Martin courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists.

And the Obama Administration hasn't been sitting idle on the bike front this past year either.

Just last month through our TIGER program, we funded major bicycle projects in Indianapolis and in the Philadelphia-Camden-Trenton region.

And our ongoing inter-agency DOT-EPA-HUD partnership on sustainable communities actively encourages planning for walkability and bikability. We think livability means giving folks the flexibility to choose their own mobility.

Look, bike projects are relatively fast and inexpensive to build and are environmentally sustainable; they reduce travel costs, dramatically improve safety and public health, and reconnect citizens with their communities.

So, thank you to the League of American Bicyclists and all those who gave me such a raucous welcome the other night.

Last year's summit was something; this year was something else. I can't even imagine what next year's gathering will produce, but I know I want to be part of it.

In closing, here's another angle from the League's YouTube channel:

Comments

[Robert Guico]

Thanks Ray.

I've spent the better part of the last year advocating for safer bicycle facilities for all in the western 'burbs of Chicago, and there's a long way to go. It's good to know that higher levels of government are starting to understand the benefits of a lower-cost, safer, healthier and environmentally beneficial form of transportation.

At the same time, I'd like to encourage other people to start from below, because although it helps to have people at the top doing their best, it takes getting broad support from the people at the bottom for this to work for everyone.

Also, my wife wanted to thank you for your congressional service to Peoria, and for me to tell you that you were her most favorite congressman.

[Elliot Scott]

This is the best news of 2010 so far. Thank you Secretary LaHood, for your commitment to improving American sustainability and livability through healthy and efficient transportation. We can't wait to see the next steps USDOT takes as part of this policy change.

[Greg Cohen]

Secretary LaHood wrote: "This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized."

If so, then certainly the non-motorized users should pay a user fee into a trust fund for their projects. Highway Users have offered to pay more for highway projects. Will bicyclists also be willing to pay for bicycle projects?

DOT support for an excise tax on bicycle purchases, similar to the excise tax paid by truckers for the Highway Trust Fund, would be welcomed by supporters of motorized transportation.

[Brent Hugh]

Like!!!!!

[Andy]

Bicycle paths along interstate highways (separated from the roadway for safety) so you can travel across the US and not use any gas. And while your at it bicycles with electric motors for us old folk without requiring a license.

[Evan]

So awesome. Can't tell how cool it is to see these words coming from the DOT sec.

[Rob Wilcox]

Secretary Hood,
We have an aging population for whom individually piloted automobiles are becoming increasingly unsafe. At the same time, human powered transportation, bicycling and walking, promotes our country's critical health needs. Pedestrian improvements also promote wheel chair and electric wheelchair citizens. I laud your refocusing, and forward looking smart focusing, of transportation policy.
Rob Wilcox
Portland, Oregon

[Mike Gallagher]

This is the most optimistic I have felt about the federal government since John F Kennedy. Mike G. Hartford, CT

[Ellen Haas]

I envision the day when I can shed my car and live by my bicycle alone. Thank you, Secretary LaHood.

[g]

Fantastic!!

[Terry McAfee]

This is good to hear. Please see if you can add bicycling to Michelle Obama's campaign to fight childhood obesity. Less computer time and more saddle time could help us all improve our health, reduce greenhouse gasses, reduce highway congestion and reduce our dependence foreign oil.

Thanks,
Terry McAfee
President
Nevada Bicycle Coalition, Inc.
Reno, NV

[Sally Flocks]

Secretary LaHood,
The new policy statement on bicycle and pedestrian accommodations states that "current maintenance provisions require pedestrian facilities built with Federal funds to be maintained in the same manner as other roadway assets." Does this apply to repair of broken sidewalks as well as to removal of snow? The Georgia DOT takes responsibility for resurfacing streets, but makes local governments sign agreements that make the local government responsible for sidewalk maintenance. Does this violate federal policy?

[Paul Schneider]

Go Team! I'm not a bicyclist - can't be, due to a balance disability that also made me shed my car! I'm a long-time pedestrian (even prior) and former driver who wants to help hammer home the message: there's life after driving!!! Bicycles (for most folks), walking (very healthy also if you do it for living like me), and pretty good (let's improve!) public transit in metro areas have all made me GLAD I don't drive with NO DESIRE to return to it even if I could! I'm free from automotive bondage - and it's great!

[Dave Morse]

8D

When I voted in the 2008 election, I had little hope that my vote went to a candidate who had much agenda on transportation reform. It turns out to be one of the best things about this administration. High Speed Rail, TIGER, ending motorization bias... the good news just keeps on coming.

[Account Deleted]

I quit cars 15 years ago and there are only a few (and very expensive) small areas in America where I can have a full life without a car (currently living in Pedestrian/Bike paradise near Clarendon Metro) I was very excited to read Ray LaHoods' "Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation" Please forward my support to him and all the planners for making our cities humane for the pedestrian and biker like Europeans already enjoy.

[mcas]

@Greg:
Your 80,000 pound trucks pay an excise tax of how much? Us cyclists probably pay 1/444th that in property taxes, sales tax and federal taxes-- yet we're barred from using the highways.

Want to do it by weight (which translates to maintenance fees) ...or would you prefer environmental damage (oil and gas leakage, CO2 burned)?

What would this excise tax you speak of be paying for, exactly, or are you simply being putative?

[Michael]

Kudos to you Mr. LaHood! Thank you.
Now is there any way to change this from a policy recommendation to a policy mandate?
Again, thank you. It's a big step (pedal stroke :-)) in the right direction!

[Jon Koller]

What a nice surprise! This will be a day they write about.

Keep on pushing, this is only a beginning.

[Tim Adams]

Thank you, it makes all the difference!! It was great to see you atop that table at the Summit last Thursday. Ray Lahood rocks!

Tim Adams
Executive Director
Teton Valley Trails and Pathways
Driggs, Idaho

[Joe Minter]

"Secretary LaHood wrote: "This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized."

If so, then certainly the non-motorized users should pay a user fee into a trust fund for their projects. Highway Users have offered to pay more for highway projects. Will bicyclists also be willing to pay for bicycle projects?

DOT support for an excise tax on bicycle purchases, similar to the excise tax paid by truckers for the Highway Trust Fund, would be welcomed by supporters of motorized transportation."

We will gladly pay an excise tax as long as it is directly proportional to the amount of wear and tear bikes inflict on the roads, compared to other forms of transport.

[Eugene Harrand]

He certainly knows how to talk the talk, let's hope he walks the walk!!!

[Phil Jungels, North Aurora, IL]

It's about time! Thanks for helping us use the infrastructure we are entitled to. Especially since we already paid for it, and do little to no damage to it by using it.

Now, the tough part, to educate other users of that same infrastructure, that we, also, have a legal right to use it.

[Mark Stosberg]

Ray, Thanks for the major direction change.

We are attempting to put it to an immediate test here in Indiana where we are in the middle of a public comment period for a $22 million renovation to U.S. 27. INDOT presented us with an initial proposal that completely neglects bicycling in the plan, and a revised plan could fix a small but critical missing link in our bike route network.

The City of Richmond has replied to INDOT to ask for a revised plan that is in line with federal policy and Complete Streets principles.

Public comments on the project can be submitted to Mary Jackman until March 18th at mjackman@indot.in.gov. We also have a public petition to build support for a revised plan based on current federal policy and Complete Streets.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/complete-streets-richmond-indiana

Support is appreciated! Thanks.

Mark

[Aram Armstrong]

Dear Secretary Hood,

I have a simple idea for promoting ridership in cities that would be cheap and easy to prototype. It is essentially creating bike expressways, not by building new roads or painting bicycle lanes, but by changing how street lights are timed. Pacing them at a cyclists pace, creating rivers of flow that are biased towards cyclists not cars. Paired with parallel routes for cars, with lights timed at a cars pace, will further encourage (i.e. nudge) the separation of car and bicycle traffic, making transit smoother, safer and less stressful for all parties involved.

Thank you for advocating for cyclists.

Best Regards,
Aram Armstrong
Interaction Designer, IDEO

[Dana Hudes]

An area for big and relatively easy improvement in linking bicycles and mass transit for intercity travel is making Amtrak accommodate bicycles on all trains without forcing passengers to pack their bicycles as cargo. Some Amtrak trains have bicycle racks but most do not. It is impossible to go by Amtrak with your bicycle from New York City to anywhere: other than folding bikes, bicycles are simply not permitted aboard Amtrak unless packed in a bike box and checked as luggage -- and even that option is not available on Northeast corridor trains to Boston or Washington DC because they don't have a baggage car.