CHICAGO (AP) – This month, hundreds of bicycle advocates gathered for the annual summit in Washington, D.C. The Transportation Department has stopped funding granted by the Federation, specifically for bicycle lanes.
The administration is focusing on enhancing the Green Energy Project, championed by former President Joe Biden. The initiative includes Transit and recreation trails, all contributing to bicycle infrastructure priorities that state authorities are uniting to promote.
California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania have united to form a national effort called the Clean Ride Network. This group has gained traction this year with a federal-backed green transportation initiative deemed neglected.
“These changes are essential, but the urgency is at an all-time high,” stated Justin Balik, senior state program director for environmental advocacy group Evergreen Action and a key organizer of the Clean Rides Network. “I see the state Department of Transport as the new frontier in climate advocacy.”
Trade Bus Expressway Expansion
Although Colorado wasn’t among the initial seven members of the Clean Rides network, the policies enacted there have laid the groundwork for ambitious goals.
In 2021, Gov. Jared Polis adopted a progressive approach aimed at expediting the timeline for significantly reducing Colorado’s greenhouse gas emissions. Whenever the state’s transport department allocates funding for large-scale projects that boost vehicle traffic, like new highways, it must also pursue initiatives that mitigate environmental impacts.
According to Matt Frommer of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, two major highway expansion projects have been cancelled, as the group advocates for change.
Colorado has redirected savings to expand its intercity bus service, which is gaining popularity among urban residents and tourists visiting ski resorts.
Polis’s vision aligns with multimodal transport objectives under the $1.1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law he signed that year. During the last months of the Biden administration, Denver secured a $150 million federal grant to establish a rapid transport bus line in one of its busiest corridors.
Frommer, Transport and Land Use Policy Manager, expressed concern about the potential need for the state to handle these projects independently.
“If your country is serious about climate change, you must take charge and direct transport funds to initiatives that reduce emissions,” Frommer remarked. “We cannot solely depend on the federal government to implement these policies or provide assistance.”
Colorado Approach Moves East
Minnesota has followed Colorado’s lead, implementing similar measures to counter greenhouse emissions. Other states in the network are also advocating for proposals in this session.
The Maryland House recently passed a version of Colorado’s law, with Senate sponsor Shelley Hetleman expressing cautious optimism about final passage before the legislative session ends.
In her efforts to persuade colleagues, Hetleman has emphasized financial aspects rather than environmental benefits. A study by the Colorado Transportation Division estimated potential savings of up to $40 billion through improved air quality, specifically Traffic Safety and reduced congestion.
Lawmakers from Illinois and Massachusetts involved in the Clean Ride initiative are advancing similar proposals but face opposition from certain business leaders and road construction interests.
“This isn’t science-based; it’s merely another sensible law that delays the necessary improvements to Illinois’s crumbling transportation infrastructure,” said Mike Starrino, president and CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association. “Commuters will have to wait for repairs to the existing interstate system, as this bill postpones action on hazardous road conditions, like bridges.“
Interest in Red States
While most state leaders promoting alternative transportation options have been Democrats, the Clean Ride Network has noted interest from more conservative states on various topics.
Just as economic savings from Colorado’s initiatives have influenced legislation in Maryland, the financial implications remain a primary concern among residents. Some studies reveal transportation costs rank high among consumer expenses, second only to housing.
“Forget about the price of eggs; owning a vehicle is more costly than ever,” remarked Miguel Morabeck of the nonprofit climate think tank RMI.
Virginia employs a metric to evaluate potential transportation projects based on criteria like safety, congestion relief, and environmental impact.
Simultaneously, Utah has initiated a bold transportation plan to accommodate its rapid growth, while Montana has enacted land use and zoning reforms to enhance city accessibility.
Mohammed Patel, a senior transport advocate at the Chicago Natural Resources Defense Council, noted that states are reassessing their policy priorities.
“We’re fortunate to live in a country where states have autonomy over their transportation systems,” Patel commented. “This offers a natural flexibility.”
Source: apnews.com