< 10 Riders on the storm said the range of projects-awarded funds demonstrates “the truly multimodal nature of American transportation.” All that is why bike advocates are suggesting that SMART and rail advocates look for funding opportunities embedded in the new federal policies. But the bike advocates also are mindful of protecting their own core sources of funding. Marin County conducted a needs assessment for bike and pedestrian projects and identified a total of about $200 million in needed projects. “The maximum we want to go toward the bike and pedestrian pathway is $26 million,” says Hubsmith. “We don’t want SMART to just mine all the potential money that’s out there for bike and pedestrian” projects in Marin and Sonoma counties. “We are kind of putting a stake in the ground and saying we are willing to help up to this point [$26 million].” But, adds Hubsmith, the bicycle community also is ready and willing to help SMART identify new sources of government funding in the new multimodal transportation paradigm. When news of the finding shortfall started making the rounds, did SMART officials think about carving out a portion of the bike and pedestrian path to help fill the financial gap? No, say SMART officials and bike advocates alike. Hubsmith reiterates that the bike
and pedestrian path played an important role in the passage of Measure Q. The multimodal vision, of a bike and pedestrian path parallel to a train line, along with transit oriented development, drew many voters. SMART officials underscore the importance of the bike and pedestrian path. “It has always been considered an integral part of the project,” says Chris Coursey, SMART community outreach and education manager. “We don’t talk about the bike path as being something separate. We have talked about the possibilities of finding other sources of funding for the bike path, but we are not talking about delaying or cutting the bike path in order to have more money for the rail project. That’s not part of the conversation.” Hubsmith has been asked to testify at a hearing Sen. Barbara Boxer will hold April 14 for the next transportation authorization bill. Hubsmith’s testimony will focus on safety, and she will present information about MCBC’s successful Safe Routes to Schools program. She also will present information about the pilot Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program and the general commitment in Marin to bike transportation. Over the last 10 years, says Hubsmith, bike transportation has increased 118 percent in Marin. During that same time period, collisions between bikes and cars have decreased about 40 percent. “It shows that as you get more people biking, it actually improves safety.” ✹ Contact the writer at peter@pseidman.com.
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What’s the Rush? Stop for Pedestrians
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Marin’s online neighborhood @ www.pacificsun.com APRIL 9 - APRIL 15, 2010 PACIFIC SUN 11