S. 705 grassroots alert draft
· We have posted this alert at: https://www.votervoice.net/SAFEROUTES/campaigns/39493/respond. If your organization does not have your own Congressional action alert system, you can use our link.
· Or, you can adapt the text below to suit your organization and send using your organization’s own system
ALERT TEXT
Please help local governments access transportation dollars for biking and walking.
Congress is preparing to take action on a new transportation bill. Given the shortfall of federal transportation dollars, already some members of Congress are questioning why the federal government provides any funding for bicycling and walking.
We need your help to make sure that Congress doesn’t cut funding to help local communities build sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, trails and more.
The Transportation Alternatives Program provides hundreds of millions of dollars each year to local communities to invest in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. It’s the only federal program specifically focused on local transportation priorities. Please ask your Senators to stand up for the Transportation Alternatives Program by cosponsoring S. 705, the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act.
For decades, our federal transportation system has focused the bulk of its resources on building roads, leaving many of our communities with few transportation options and rising safety risks for people bicycling and walking. More and more Americans want options for bicycling, walking and transit to live healthier and safer lives. More and more cities and towns are clamoring for more facilities for biking and walking to make their communities more attractive to residents and to improve their economies. S. 705 would help make sure that Congress continues to invest a small share of federal transportation dollars in these types of projects.
Ask your Senators to cosponsor S. 705, the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act to ensure that our federal transportation system continues to provide funding for bicycling and walking.
DRAFT LETTER TO SENATE
Dear (Senator),
I write to ask you to co-sponsor S. 705, the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act.
The Transportation Alternatives Program makes sure that communities like mine are able to compete for funding to build sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and other local transportation priorities. This program is critical to helping make sure that small towns and big cities are able to build the local transportation infrastructure that is so needed for the health and safety of residents, and for the economic competitiveness and quality of life of the community.
The Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act would make sure that more funds are fairly distributed among rural areas, mid-sized areas and large metropolitan areas. It would help gives states additional flexibility to make sure that small towns and low-income areas can compete for funds and ensure that these projects can be built without delays.
I urge you to co-sponsor S. 705 to show your support for giving local communities access to much-needed funding for local transportation priorities.
Sincerely,