US Government allocates $3.9 million to national active travel centre
Signs that the United States plans to get serious on active travel have been boosted with the news that a tender is open to set up a National Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center.
With a budget ranging from $625,000 at the lowest to $3,906,250 at the ceiling, organisations, not-for-profit associations and agencies are now able to apply for the grant. By Department of Transportation estimates the center to will cost around $3,125,000.
A website under the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center banner already exists as a cycle advocacy resource and information hub.
Applications can now be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, who describe the facility as a hub for pedestrian and bicycle research, tracking and technical assistance activities, including safe and accessible roadway design, livability, equity, ladders of opportunity, and economics.
Once established, the center will support the Department of Transportation in promotion of integrated, convenient and safe infrastructure for all active travel types. Much like the ECF in Europe, the center’s main ambition will be to establish best practice and help city and highways planners in accommodating the less car-centric road users.
Some districts operate without Department for Transportation guidance. Oakland, CA, for example, has only recently built such a thing into the city’s budgets. With the creation of a DOT, Renee Rivera, exec director of non-profit Bike East Bay, has called for the region to begin to cater for cyclists with dedicated and safe infrastructure.
As reported by the FreeBeacon, application will be accepted until August 19th.