I wanted to follow up with some additional information related to the National Bike Summit and to correct my initial post that incorrectly stated Georgia's representation for one of the bills.

Georgia does have indeed have four co-sponsors for the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act (Henry Johnson, John Lewis, Jim Marshall and John Barrow) which, among other things, will help revitalize urban parks with trails.

I also wanted to send a tremendous shout out to the newly elected president of Georgia Bikes!, Drew Wade (from the Savannah Bicycle Campaign) for his work in recruiting Rep. Jack Kingston (R-1st District) for the Congressional bike ride that was part of this year's National Bike Summit.

Here's a photo of Rep. Kingston on the left (with what appear to be some really awesome gloves on). If you click on the photo you will be re-directed to the article about this ride.

Again, please take a moment to learn more about the issues that are affecting cyclists at the national level and send your representative a quick note simply asking them to make the following bills a priority for Georgia! We have a longer way to go than most states and every letter, phone call or email helps!

A summary of the bills follows:

H.R. 4722 - The Active Community Transportation Act of 2010
"To direct the Secretary of Transportation to carry out an active transportation investment program to encourage a mode shift to active transportation within selected communities by providing safe and convenient options to bicycle and walk for routine travel, and for other purposes."

H.R. 1443/S. 584 - The Complete Streets Act of 2009
"To ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets and highways."

*note Georgia has not adopted a Complete Streets policy statewide, but our neighbors in VA, KY, NC, TN, SC and FL have. Passage of this bill at the federal level ensures that all federal dollars spent on transportation projects in our state must take into consideration all users of those facilities.

S.1156 - The Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization Act
"A bill to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users(SAFETEA-LU)to reauthorize and improve the safe routes to school program."

H.R. 4021 - The Safe Routes to High Schools Act
"To expand the Safe Routes to School Program to high schools."

H.R. 3734 - The Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act
"To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish and carry out an urban revitalization and livable communities program to provide Federal grants to urban areas for the rehabilitation of critically needed recreational areas and facilities and development of improved recreation programs, and for other purposes."

S. 2747 - The Land and Water Reauthorization Act
"To amend the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to provide consistent and reliable authority for, and for the funding of, the land and water conservation fund to maximize the effectiveness of the fund for future generations, and for other purposes."