Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) met last Thursday to set funding targets for $20-$24 million of federal transportation dollars. JPACT members voted in favor of targeting 75% of Regional Flexible Funds to active transportation and complete streets and 25% to freight improvement and green economy projects. The decision represents a victory for the bicycle movement as the committee had indicated support for shifting more dollars toward freight projects and allocating a historically low amount to bicycle and pedestrian projects.

While freight advocates and some JPACT members supported a 60/40 split, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and many other advocates pushed for a 75/25 split, arguing that Regional Flexible Funds represent a significant funding source for active transportation. At 29% of the total, these dollars are the second largest source of funding for active transportation in the region, while transit and road projects receive funding from many other sources.

The BTA would like to thank the JPACT members who voted in favor of active transportation. The decision is a critical funding victory for the bicycle movement, and surely one that could not have been won without the considerable efforts of advocates throughout the community who took the time to place a phone call or write a letter in our support. Thank you!

However, our work is not over. The primary argument given by committee members who voted against active transportation projects was a need to support businesses to stimulate the region’s economy. As the debate unfortunately polarized into freight vs. active transportation, freight became synonymous with economy.

Providing adequate measurements of the economic impact of bicycling and the construction of bicycle infrastructure is one important piece of the puzzle. Recent studies have shown the sizeable economic impact of bicycling on regions that promote it. One study on Wisconsin, published in January 2010, calculated that bicycling contributed $1.5 billion to the state’s economy, and accounted for 13,000 jobs. This impact is not only from revenue and generated by tourism and recreational biking, but also from the reduced health costs due to cleaner air and more active lifestyles.

But traditional market strategies used to evaluate the impact of transportation projects do not adequately capture all of the benefits that biking and walking bring to the community. The current recession has hit Oregon hard – and not just businesses, but individuals and families too. The combined costs of housing and transportation consume the majority of Oregon residents' household income. Since cars are expensive to buy and maintain, it makes sense to provide affordable alternatives. Research has shown there is a "Green Dividend" in Portland, where people drive less than the national average; investments that make biking and walking safer and easier keep money in our pockets and promote a stronger local economy.

Active transportation, therefore, cannot surrender the debate to business interests when it comes to economic benefits. The economic power of bicycling is clear. Active transportation infrastructure serves everyone, bike rider or not, by reducing traffic congestion and motor vehicle emissions as well as saving money and making the most of our existing transportation investments.

Thank you to all those who made this victory for active transportation possible. Don’t stop now! We must continue to follow up as advocates and keep the momentum running strong. JPACT will be working to select projects between now and the spring of 2011.

The BTA is currently participating in similar conversations at the state level as a member of the ODOT Flexible Fund Advisory Committee. The Committee will make recommendations on funding targets for the Oregon Transportation Commission later this summer. Keep your eyes and ears open for action alerts and next steps for advocates in August.

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