Why are Bicyclists Being Targeted by Congress?

[marmar]

from OnTheCommons.org:



Why are Bicyclists Being Targeted by Congress?
Minneapolis' rise as America's top bike city owes a lot to federal programs

By Jay Walljasper



About one-third of Minneapolis bike commuters ride at least some days during the winter. And a higher than average number of local cyclists are women. (Credit: Low under a Creative Commons license from flickr.com)


The commons is under attack in Washington, D.C..

There’s nothing new about that— what belongs to all of us from the environment to public services have been continually threatened over the past two years—but the latest target comes as a complete surprise: bikers and pedestrians.

What in the world could be less controversial than biking and walking? They’re good exercise, fun to do and—as an alternative to driving everywhere—help us save money and the environment.

Both activities have recently become potent symbols of the commons; when I ask people at meetings to name a favorite commons in their community, bikepaths, sidewalks and trails are often mentioned. Biking and walking are on the upswing for transportation and recreation today, thanks in large part to a recent flowering of federally-funded trails, bikeways and pathways that make getting around on two wheels and two feet safer and more convenient. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://onthecommons.org/why-are-bicyclists-being-targeted-congress