Views on use of Highway Trust Fund for bike and pedestrian paths.

August 4, 2009, Greenwire.com via CarFreeUSA.com

With Congress’ authorizing of emergency funding for the depleted Highway Trust Fund, two Republican senators are criticizing the use of the fund for bicycle and pedestrian paths and “scenic beautification” projects.

Sens. John McCain’s (Ariz.) and Tom Coburn’s (Okla.) criticisms followed release of a report by the Government Accountability Office last week showing that $78 billion from the fund had gone over five years toward “purposes other than construction and maintenance of highways and bridges” — including $2 billion that went to 5,547 projects for bicyclists and pedestrians.

McCain blasted the Transportation Department and lawmakers for earmarking funding for “frivolous” projects that could have been spent on repairs to the nation’s crumbling bridges and highways.

“Over the years, the number of highway bill earmarks has exploded,” McCain said in a statement. “Now, Congress wants to bail out the Trust Fund by saddling future generations with even more debt. Doing so is irresponsible.”

Bicycle advocates fired back, arguing that bike paths and walkways are used for 10 percent of U.S. travel and help reduce air pollution and use of foreign oil.

“What the report suggests is that McCain and Coburn do not see nonmotorized transportation as useful transportation spending,” said Darren Flusche, a policy analyst at the League of American Bicyclists. “They don’t see that bicycling is in fact a form of transportation and contributes directly to livable communities.”

Hawai’i “Complete Streets” Law

On May 6, Governor Linda Lingle signed S.B. 718 into law. Act 054, the Complete Streets law, requires the Hawaii DOT and the Counties to establish policies to accommodate all users of the road, no matter age, ability, or mode of transportation. Additionally, it creates a statewide task force to review existing state and county highway design standards and guidelines and propose changes to procedures and design manuals. Their final report is due to the State legislature prior to its convening in 2011.

To become involved in the implementation of Act 054 and other activities that support complete streets in the islands, contact the One Voice Coalition.

The bill has received attention from many local media outlets, including KMGB9 News, the Honolulu Advertiser, and KHON2.

Introduction to Complete Streets (Slide show)

For more information on the national Complete Streets program..

From bush to bike – a bamboo revolution

BBC News, July 1, 2009, By Kieron Humphrey.

On the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia, next year’s crop of bicycles is being watered by Benjamin Banda.

“We planted this bamboo last year,” he says, “and now the stems are taller than me. When it’s ready we’ll cut it, cure it and then turn it into frames.”

Mr Banda, is the caretaker for Zambikes, a company set up by two Californians and two Zambians which aimed to build bikes tough enough to handle the local terrain. (Full story)