The federal government is a big funder of critical transportation infrastructure—including infrastructure and safety improvements for bikes. That’s why we’ve been active at the federal level on the next federal transportation bill. But what the Feds giveth they often take away. State Transportation Departments from across the land occasionally have to send back unspent funds—“rescinding” the funds—to help the USDOT clear the books.
Here’s the rub. The Feds decide how much money each state returns, but the states decide where the money comes from. Some states give back proportionately so that, say, unspent highway funds come back at the same level as ped or bike safety funding. But many states don’t play this way—including Washington state (supposedly the #1 state for bicycling). Instead, a rather disproportionate amount of money comes from things like Transportation Enhancements (TE), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Recreational Trails funds—which happen to be the largest buckets for bike and ped projects. In 2010, over $900 million of $2.2 billion was returned from these sources. This is not a slow leak, but a nasty snake bite. Insta-flat.
Where are we now? Last week, they asked for $2.5 billion back, including $43 million from Washington state. By July 8, WSDOT has to fork over the cash. So while we consider how to address this at the legislative level during the 2012 session (we’ve also already talked with several of our congressional members about this), the Governor needs to hear from us before we’re riding our rims to death.
Some say that we should do proportional rescissions so that all programs get equal treatment. This was actually the case back in 2007. But in 2010 and now in 2011 we’re stuck with the threat of huge piles of needed bike funding being taken back while unallocated highway funds remain untouched.
WSDOT's whack at TE and CMAQ funding during the painful 2010 rescissions
Proportionality is a bare minimum, in my opinion, since bike, ped and transit projects create more jobs compared to highway construction, promote healthy and vibrant communities and reduce our dependence on foreign and domestic oil. Oh yeah, and bike and ped numbers are waaaay up in many places around the region. But despite all of this, 11.6% of all trips (bike/ped) with over 13% of traffic fatalities get only 1.2% of the funding.
Send in the patch kits and lend your voice to the effort. Contact the Governor’s office before July 8 — we’ve made it easy for you.
By the way, for those who really hate flat tires, think of that $43 million that WSDOT has to send back as funding about 10 million bike tubes. Until the rescission threat passes, make sure to carry an extra out there!
With incomes going down and expenses going up. We are cutting back everything! With so many people not able to afford gas, it is more important than ever to have safe bicycle routes.
Dear Governor Gregoire:
I am writing to urge you to consider very carefully the impact that the proposed disproportionate rescissions will have on pedestrian and bicycle safety and recreational trails. Given the increased cost of gasoline and the pollution generated by cars, ensuring the comparatively modest income stream for bicycles and pedestrians is both economically sensible and forward-looking, even when budgets are very tight. I do not believe that we should subsidize the most inefficient form of transportation and withdraw funding from the most efficient. I urge you to oppose funding the rescission on the backs of pedestrians and bicyclists. As a note, I am 68 and began in May commuting to my work in downtown Seattle partly by bike and partly by bus. It is cheap, great exercise, and facilitated by the outstanding bike paths and shared road lanes in our area.
Governor:
Please give cyclilng safety paramount concern when you are approving rescissions of federal money. I am a bicycling recreational rider and commuter. The public interest is well served by spending money on bicycle lanes and roads to encourage families to ride their bikes and avoid using their cars. Riding is healthy and good for the environment!
Thank you for letting me know what rescissions are. I was able to call my state’s Department of Transportation and find out about the status of things here. I hope that you are able to keep funding for bike, pedestrian, and transit improvements.
I personally think that it is weird that all the rescissions are coming out of two relatively small programs.
I Live in kent and work in renton. Currently there is sand bags in the way of the trail that i would ride to work on. It would be nice to have them either removed or moved to the side of the trail. So im sure that you would need funding for that. It would give me extra spending money per month instead of wasting it on gas and polluting the air we breath.
I am a Seattle bike commuter and appreciate the WSDOT funding of necessary improvements. Please reduce the amount. I urge you to greatly reduce the impact that the proposed disproportionate rescissions will have on pedestrian and bicycle safety and recreational trails.
Thank you.
I am a Seattle bike commuter and appreciate the WSDOT funding of necessary improvements. I urge you to greatly reduce the impact that the proposed disproportionate rescissions will have on pedestrian and bicycle safety and recreational trails.
Thank you.
[...] From Cascade: Here’s the rub. The Feds decide how much money each state returns, but the states decide where the money comes from. Some states give back proportionately so that, say, unspent highway funds come back at the same level as ped or bike safety funding. But many states don’t play this way—including Washington state (supposedly the #1 state for bicycling). Instead, a rather disproportionate amount of money comes from things like Transportation Enhancements (TE), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Recreational Trails funds—which happen to be the largest buckets for bike and ped projects. In 2010, over $900 million of $2.2 billion was returned from these sources. This is not a slow leak, but a nasty snake bite. Insta-flat. [...]
[...] weeks ago, you generated over 1,000 emails to the Governor and to WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond. Thank you! Our message: don’t disproportionately send [...]