INVESTMENT IN BIKING, WALKING WILL SAVE BILLIONS

According to an Oct. 20th news release, "Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) presents today the 'Active Transportation for America' report to Congress via Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), who serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The report quantifies -- for the first time -- the national benefits of bicycling and walking.

"Putting figures to facts, the report documents the transportation, energy, climate, public health, and economic benefits of bicycling and walking. Never before has the case been made so clearly that relatively modest federal investment in bicycling and walking can save Americans tens of billions of dollars each year. The report compiles success stories from communities across America to show the potential to realize these benefits.

"'The report illustrates the groundswell of public demand for investment in varied transportation choices,' says Keith Laughlin, president of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. 'Americans want compelling opportunities to improve their communities with bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Having transportation choices will save people billions of dollars in fuel costs and millions of hours wasted in gridlock.'..."

Source: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/5wdpxz">http://tinyurl.com/5wdpxz</a>;
Download the report here:
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/66wjm8">http://tinyurl.com/66wjm8</a>;