Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's announcement that federal transportation policy will give parity to bicycling and walking is being criticized by some conservatives and industries dependent on trucking.
LaHood has indicated that transportation projects receiving federal funding will need to provide equal access to bicycling and walking infrastructure.
"[The policy] recommends, among other things, including biking and walking lanes on bridges and clearing snow from bike paths. The new policy is an extension of the Obama administration's livability initiative, which regards the creation of alternatives to driving – buses, streetcars, trolleys and trains, as well as biking and walking – as central to solving the nation's transportation woes.
[T]he initial reaction from conservatives and industry has been hostile. Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio...said in an interview that he thinks bike paths, bike lanes and projects that make communities more walkable are fine but shouldn't be funded with money raised by a gasoline tax paid by motorists."
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