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Thank you.

 

Thank you for taking the time to show your gratitude to Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) for speaking up for bicycle path funding. This action has expired.

Please consider taking actions on another issue from our action alerts page or see other ways to promote the rail-trail movement.

 

Background

On Tuesday, September 11, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) proposed an amendment on the Senate floor that would prohibit the use of funds for bike paths and redirect these funds to bridge and road repair.

This was a cynical attempt by Sen. Coburn to scapegoat bike paths for the collapse of the Minneapolis bridge on August 1. Central to Sen. Coburn's claim was the false belief that bicycles paths are never used for transportation. However, studies indicate that commuting is common on many rail-trails.

Unfortunately, this did not occur in isolation. Rather, it is one in a recent series of attacks on bicycling by high government officials, congressional representatives and even a presidential candidate.

Thankfully, many — including Sen. Bond — have seen through this misleading attempt and have publicly recognized bicycle facilities as an important element of our transportation infrastructure. From both sides of the aisle, elected officials and decision makers are speaking up for funding for active transportation. Acknowledging those who speak up for trails, biking and walking helps to ensure that support remains strong.

Responding to this action alert, hundreds of Missouri residents wrote to Sen. Bond, thanking him for speaking up against this attack.