Transportation Bond Bill Hearing

Testimony on another critical bond bill, H.4409, the Transportation Bond Bill, was heard by the Committee on Transportation. This bill is a general funding bill for the Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works, which oversees the Massachusetts Highway Department, but this funding can be used for “ bicycle paths or facilities” and “on and off-street bicycle projects” among many other things. The bill states that “[i]n planning projects funded by [this bill], consideration shall be made, to the extent feasible, to accommodate and incorporate provisions to facilitate the use of bicycles and walking as a means of transportation.” Although this is not the strongest possible expression of support for bicycling and walking, it is very encouraging that the Patrick Administration included it in the bill.

You can view a copy of the bill at http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht04pdf/ht04409.pdf.

How You Can Help:

Call or email your state senator and state representative, and ask them to support H.4409, the Transportation Bond Bill, but to make sure that the bicycling language is retained in the following two sections of the bill:

Section 2C, subsection 6001-0806: "related pedestrian and bicycle access"

Section 11(a): "bicycle paths or facilities, on and off-street bicycle projects" and "In planning projects funded by sections 2 to 2E, inclusive, consideration shall be made, to the extent feasible, to accommodate and incorporate provisions to facilitate the use of bicycles and walking as a means of transportation"

Click here to find contact information for your State Representative (called “Rep in General Court”) and State Senator (called “Senate in General Court”).
http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php