(Courtesy Bicycle Colorado) Last week, Congress and President Obama approved the first new federal transportation funding bill since 2005. The bill reduces federally designated bicycle and pedestrian funding by about 30% over its two-year life, but it also gives states additional power to use federal programs to fund bicycle projects if they choose.
While some states may use the federal law’s flexibility to move away from bicycle investments, state advocacy organization Bicycle Colorado is working to ensure that Colorado continues its commitment to bicycle programs. Bicycle Colorado’s successful campaigns to pass state laws for Safe Routes to School and including the needs of bicyclists in all state transportation projects have put Colorado in a position to continue the advancement of bicycling.
Currently, the bulk of money used for Colorado transportation projects comes from state taxes and fees; federal funds make up 19% of all transportation revenues across the state. The state government collects the majority of revenue for transportation and also manages the federal funds they receive. States will continue to have these powers under the newly passed federal law.
Learn more at www.bicyclecolorado.org.
