copyright 1996, Tracy-Williams Consulting

ISTEA and Legislative Resources

ISTEA, or the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, brought with it new requirements for soliciting public involvement and for paying attention to bicyclists' and pedestrians' needs. Here are some resources to help make a difference.


Bicycle Advocacy Resource Guide; 1994; compiled by Ron Goodman of People Power, Santa Cruz (CA), this 100-page guide lists state and local advocacy groups, and contains articles and resources; from Bicycle Federation of America, 1506 21st St., NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20036 (202) 463-6622 fax: (202) 463-6625 email: bikefed@aol.com; $10.

Bicycle Advocate's Action Kit; 1993; by John Williams; produced for the Bicycle Federation, this brief guide is full of advice and resources (includes postcards for free newsletters!) for advocates wanting to influence local transportation decisions in the era of ISTEA; Bicycle Federation of America, 1506 21st St., NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20036 (202) 463-6622 fax: (202) 463-6625 email: bikefed@aol.com; free.

Citizen Advocacy: Working for Sustainable Transportation Alternatives in Your Community; brief (20 p.) booklet contains guidelines and tips for people developing an effective transportation advocacy campaign; $7.50 from the Advocacy Institute, 1730 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Suite 600, Washington DC 20036.

Community-based Planning Under ISTEA; 64-page handbook for citizens and agencies on forming public/private planning partnerships in implementing ISTEA; from Bicycle Federation of America, 1506 21st St., NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20036 (202) 463-6622 fax: (202) 463-6625 email: bikefed@aol.com; $20.00.

Improving Transportation Modeling for Air Quality and Long-Range Planning; by Michael Replogle; a critical overview of current practices in metropolitan transportation modeling for air quality planning in the U.S., based on a decade of models in the Washington, D.C. region; Environmental Defense Fund's Transportation Project, 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 Phone (202)387-3500, fax (202)234-6049

Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991; Public Law 102-240; for your own copy, contact your Senator or Congressperson's local office; it should be free.

ISTEA Planner's Workbook; 1995 book by Margaret Franko; includes contributions from a variety of organizations, agencies, and firms; good stuff!; from the Surface Transportation Policy Project, 1400 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036; (202) 939-3470; fax: (202) 939-3475; email: stpp@igc.apc.org; web site: http://www.transact.org/stpp.htm; $15.

Manual of Regional Transportation Modeling Practice for Air Quality Analysis; advice for planners from National Assn. of Regional Councils, 1700 K St. NW, Suite 1300, Washington DC 20006; $10.

Progress; monthly newsletter of the Surface Transportation Policy Project, 1400 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036; (202) 939-3470; fax: (202) 939-3475; email: stpp@igc.apc.org; web site: http://www.transact.org/stpp.htm; no charge.

State Legislative Sourcebook; 1994 edition; 500+ pages of information on where to find just about anything you need to work your state legislature (all states are covered); phone numbers and addresses for finding out the status of bills you want to track, how to order references and directories; from Government Research Service, PO Box 2041, Topeka KS 66601; $145.

Transfer; weekly electronic newsletter of the Surface Transportation Policy Project, 1400 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036; (202) 939-3470; fax: (202) 939-3475; email: stpp@igc.apc.org; web site: http://www.transact.org/stpp.htm; no charge.

Transportation Action Guide: Fair and Sustainable Mobility in the 1990s; by Rob Kennedy and Sarah Clark Stuart of the Wisconsin Environmental Decade; 1993; 150-page citizens' guide to ISTEA and how to influence transportation decisions; from Envirnmental Defense Fund, 257 Park Ave. South, NY NY 10010 (212) 505-2100; web site: http://www.edf.org/ ; $8.00.

Transportation Planning for Livable Communities; 46-page report and evaluation of the 11 ISTEA conferences held several years ago; from Bicycle Federation of America, 1506 21st St., NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20036 (202) 463-6622 fax: (202) 463-6625 email: bikefed@aol.com; free.

ISTEA Reauthorization is coming! The Battle is joined...

ISTEA will be up for renewal in 1997 and many highway lobbyists and interest groups are working hard to roll back some of its most important provisions. These include MPO-level flexibility, the emphasis on public involvement, the focus on intermodalism (they call it "diversion"), and programs like the Transportation Enhancement Program (which has funded many bike and pedestrian projects) and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (funds from which can't be used to add new SOV capacity to roads).

STPP, in conjunction with the Bicycle Federation of America, the League of American Bicyclists, and others, is working to assure the inclusion of these important provisions in the next transportation bill. But they need your help! Contact them today and ask how you can help!


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