A new poll released this week by the Bikes Belong! Campaign, a coalition of bicycle advocacy and industry groups, has found that a majority of Americans support the use of gas tax revenue for funding transportation enhancements. The bipartisan poll, conducted by Lake Research and the Tarrance Group, found 64% of those polled favored using 1% of gas tax revenues for alternative transportation projects, such as funding bike paths, trails and sidewalks. Using transportation funds for other non- bike purposes including train station renovations, scenic road enhancements and similar projects is also popular, and was supported by 70% of respondents. In line with earlier surveys, support for new highway construction and new bike facility construction were found to be equal, even as new roads account for 44% of ISTEA funds as compared with 1% for new bike projects.
Impressed with the dramatic outcomes of their polling data, Lori Gudermuth of the Tarrance Group concluded: "...bike-related projects win majority backing among every single demographic group. This means that continued federal support for alternative transportation projects is among the few topics upon which most Americans can agree." The themes of safer communities and improved bicycle and pedestrian access are increasingly linked in the minds of many. A solid majority, 79%, of those polled, found "convincing" the following statement: "bike trails and bike lanes are important to creating safer communities for our children;" and 82% of so-called "Soccer Moms," suburban mothers with young children, support the 1% allocation of gas tax funds to bike and pedestrian facilities.
Cosette Simon, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists, concluded: "The bottom line here for Congress is very simple: the American public strongly supports current federal funding for bike paths, bike lanes and sidewalks." David Burwell of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy warned against complacency that might result from the news: "The American public should have no illusions about the current battle in Congress over reauthorization of ISTEA. If bike-related projects are left out, this is going to be the end of safer communities for children and encouragement of bicycling for alternative transportation purposes."
For more information contact Beth Kirsch at Bikes Belong!, 202.797.5415 or via e-mail: beth_bikesbelong@transact.org.
Source: STPP Transfer Newsletter 2/28/97
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