Industry News Brief: U.S. DOT Secretary Marks "End of Favoring Motorized Transportation"

On Mon., March 15th, Secretary Ray LaHood announced a new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation Regulations and Recommendations.

Secretary LaHood announced policy revisions with the following statement, "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."

The Policy Statement highlights sections from the U.S. Code and Code of Federal Regulations that pertain to walking and bicycling. It also provides some recommended actions that transportation agencies may consider to make walking and bicycling safer and more convenient, including:

• 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.

The Policy Statement is an expression of DOT leadership's commitment to walking and bicycling, but it does not create new any new requirements for transportation agencies.

For more information:

• View the new Policy Statement at www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.htm
• View the Secretary's blog at http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/03/my-view-from-atop-the-table-at-the-national-bike-summit.html