Cool!
****************
For Immediate Release:
March 3, 2008
Contact: Jennifer Mullin / Semonti Mustaphi (202) 224-3254
HARKIN INTRODUCES BILL TO MAKE ROADS
SAFE FOR EVERYONE
To reduce accidents, legislation will create `Complete Streets´ to keep
motorists, transit vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe
Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today introduced The Complete
Streets Act of 2008, which would work to promote the design of streets that are
safe
for all of those using the street- including motorists, bus riders, bicyclists,
and
pedestrians, including people with disabilities. Between 1993 and 2003, nearly
52,000 pedestrians and more than 7,400 bicyclists were killed in road accidents;
studies show that the designing streets with pedestrians in mind may reduce
pedestrian risk by as much as 28 percent. Harkin was joined in this effort by
Senator
Tom Carper (D-DE).
"Making our streets bike and pedestrian friendly is a win-win for us all," said
Harkin. "It not only promotes healthier lifestyles, it lowers the amount of
traffic
congestion that many people deal with every day."
A recent study by the Texas Transportation Institute found that providing more
travel
options, including public transportation, bicycling and walking facilities, is
an
important element in reducing traffic congestion. The study reported that
congestion
was responsible for an annual $78.2 billion loss in fuel during traffic jams in
2005,
an increase from $57.6 billion in 2000.
Also, as recently as 30 years ago, up to 70 percent of children were walking or
riding
bikes to school. Currently, the number has dropped to only 10 percent. Parents
report that traffic safety is the main reason they do not permit their children
to walk
or bike to school. This legislation will make our environment more inviting for
physical activity, especially for kids.
Harkin´s proposal has been endorsed by:AARP, America Bikes, America Walks,
American Council of the Blind, American Planning Association, American Public
Transportation Association, American Society of Landscape Architects,
Association
of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, League of America Bicyclists, National
Center for Bicycling and Walking, Safe Routes to School National Partnership,
Smart Growth America, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, Thunderhead
Alliance, and Rails to Trails Conservancy.
Dominic J. Liberatore
Interim Executive Director
The Thunderhead Alliance
www.thunderheadalliance.org/join
Cell: 614-204-4628
Washington, DC Office: 1700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Ste. 400, 20006-4707
202-349-1479
AOL IM Dctea21man
_______________________________________________
Bikies mailing list
[email protected]
http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
