Cardin-Cochran Amendment Would Boost Local Control of Bike-Ped Funding [and say thank you]

B' Spokes: I have a few comments based on this article from Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Image: America Bikes

Baltimore Metro is a Tier 1 MPO, that's good news for us.

I also want to highlight this:

The way the Senate transportation bill, MAP-21, is currently written, all funding for complete streets programs is funneled to state DOTs, and for many cities and towns this could mean losing access to funds that make streets safer.

This does not apply to us as MDOT has already removed that funding (under the last transportation bill) from cities and towns with the exception for trail building. So I'll note that it is imperative that if this amendment goes through that we make sure MDOT follows recommended federal policy and not get picky about what cycling facilities they do and do not support along with other "creative" measures to make funding "go further" by spending the LEAST amount for bicycling and walking then any other state.

Cochran told Streetsblog the measure would protect local communities from missing out on important funds: “Our amendment would ensure that communities continue to have access to federal resources to implement transportation improvements that are meaningful to public safety, economic development and quality of life at the local level,” he said.