Contact Congress to Support Biking and Walking on Thursday March 11!
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) has introduced the Active Community Transportation Act, H.R.4722. If passed, this bill would create a new $2 Billion Dollar competitive grant program that would fund the creation of biking and walking networks in communities across America. You can view the full text of the bill at this link .
Thursday, March 11th, 2010 has been selected as the Virtual Lobby Day to coincide with the National Bike Summit . Please take a few minutes on Thursday to call or e-mail your Congressional Representatives and encourage them to co-sign H.R.4722 – “Active Community Transportation Act.” You can find the Congressperson for your district at the House of Representatives main page by simply typing in your zip code.
There is no doubt that increased bicycling and walking would do wonders for the environment and our communities. Half of all trips in the United States are three miles or less, yet the majority of these short trips are made by car. Shifting more of these short trips to biking and walking would not only reduce congestion, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and our dependence on oil, but will also improve physical activity, safety, and livability.
Considering there is already a substantial trend of increased bicycle usage in some areas, additional infrastructure improvements could make a huge difference. Commuting by bicycle in the U.S. has increased 43 percent since 2000, and by 69 percent in designated Bicycle Friendly Communities that have invested in infrastructure improvements.
For more information about the bill, visit the League of American Bicyclists and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy websites, both of which are excellent resources.
League of Women Voters Candidate Forum
The League of Women Voters of Glendale/Burbank is hosting a candidate forum for the open seat in the 43rd District (Glendale/Burbank) which was recently left vacant when Paul Krekorian won a seat on the Los Angeles City Council. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the forum.
The Candidate Forum will take place on Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 at 7p.m at the Burbank City Council Chambers located at Burbank City Hall, 275 E. Olive St., Burbank. Parking is located behind City Hall on 3rd st. Bicycle parking is available in front of City Hall, as well as multiple parking lots adjacent to the building. To get to the Burbank City Hall from Glendale by bus , take the 92 – Metro Local towards Burbank Station from Brand and Colorado then get off at Glenoaks and Olive. Walk one block south, and you have arrived!
If you can’t make it to the forum, you can watch it live on Burbank TV6 or online. The event will also be televised multiple times prior to the election.
Community members are encouraged to submit a question for the candidates via the League of Women Voter’s website or by calling (818) 247-2407.
Glendale Downtown Dash Family Fun Bike Ride
This is the last reminder for the Glendale Downtown Dash Family Fun Bike Ride on Sunday, March 14, 2010. The ride will take place immediately after the run/walk is finished. The streets will be closed and free of car traffic, making this the perfect chance for small children and their families to ride the streets of downtown Glendale. This is a fundraising event to support the Stroke Unit at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, the premiere stroke center in the area. Pre-registration is encouraged, but riders can register the day of the ride as well. For more details and to register, click here. See you on Sunday and don’t forget to change your clocks Saturday night!