Don’t cut funding for biking and walking in Alexandria
Alexandria’s Acting City Manager’s proposed budget would eliminate multi-modal and transit investment in new infrastructure for the next decade. The proposed budget options would also remove operating funds for planned Capital Bikeshare expansion.
While Alexandria has long-standing goals and policies to encourage more walking and biking, relative investments in these areas have been declining for the past few years. This year, the proposed budget would cut Alexandria’s non-motorized transportation budget, remove operating funds from planned Capital Bikeshare expansion ($10,000 per station), and remove the City’s capital investment in the only two trails planned for the next decade. Capital funds are available from other sources for the bikeshare expansion, only operating funds are needed. As D.C. and other surrounding jurisdictions provide competitive transportation options to attract new businesses, Alexandria should be investing in, not cutting, non-motorized transportation infrastructure.
Capital Bikeshare is a highly cost-effective system with fare-recovery at more than twice that of other transportation systems. The two trail projects will cost-effectively provide safe transportation, recreation and access to transit for people of all abilities. This proposal should also be considered against the rising number of studies showing that investments in walking and cycling are high payoff investments. Better infrastructure drives real economic development.
If you want to make walking and biking safer, and more accessible for every Alexandrian, say so. Otherwise, expect a decade- long (or more) delay.
The City Council meets Thursday, April 9th to discuss the transportation budget. Please send your message before April 9th.
Page last updated by Colin Browne on April 1, 2015.