Show Support For Non-Motorized Transportation Improvements at Oct. 20 Rally
Do you want more area walking trails, bike lanes, and better access to transit? If you answered 'yes,' join us at the SmartRoutes Community Rally TODAY to raise awareness and support the need for improved non-motorized transportation facilities in Spokane.
Several local agencies, including Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC), the Spokane Regional Health District, Spokane City, and Spokane County are partnering with area civic, bike, and pedestrian groups to participate in the Rails To Trails Conservancy's (RTC) '2010 Campaign for Active Transportation.'
RTC is seeking to double funding to $9 billion for non-motorized transportation in the next reauthorization of the federal transportation budget. The proposal will advocate that $2 billion of the funds support forty communities, which could include Spokane, with $50 million in funding over six years to increase biking and walking for transportation. More information can be found at . www.smartroutes.org
To draw attention and announce RTC's 2010 Active Transportation Campaign, today is a national media day. There will be a local event this afternoon to introduce Spokane's regional plan on how increased funding would be spent. Spokane's plan is known locally as the 'SmartRoutes Initiative.' Area agencies and volunteers evaluated and prioritized trails and pedestrian projects and programs that would have the most significant impact on our community. Those projects and programs selected are the focus of the SmartRoutes initiative.
This afternoon, area leaders, such as Commissioner Todd Mielke, Spokane City Mayor Mary Verner, Torney Smith of Spokane Regional Health District, and many others will lead their staff members in a walk to the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza in downtown Spokane between noon and 1 p.m. to take part in the SmartRoutes Community Rally. Other groups and individuals are encouraged to attend as well.
The event will feature:
• Short introduction speeches by local dignitaries.
• 'Map stations' for participants to indicate which planned bike and pedestrian projects they would use.
• A pedestrian and transit survey. Results will be used to develop a Regional Pedestrian Plan
• A 'mini information fair' of area agencies and walking and biking groups.
Participants are encouraged to walk, bike, or ride the bus to the event; there will be a monitored bike corral inside the plaza, and free bus passes for people who need a ride back to work or home.
Please help us to promote this event. It is important to demonstrate that the community is behind this effort. Volunteers from community groups such as the Inland Northwest Trails Coalition, Greater Spokane Incorporated, WSU Spokane, and The Lands Council are available for interviews and live shots leading up to the rally. Please call (509) 343-6370 to arrange for interviews or (509) 230-2812 on weekends or evenings.
For special accommodations or translation services, call (509) 343-6370 48 hours in advance. SRTC assures nondiscrimination in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.O. 100.259) and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Contact: Staci Lehman
Public Information and Education Coordinator, (509) 343-6387
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Several local agencies, including Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC), the Spokane Regional Health District, Spokane City, and Spokane County are partnering with area civic, bike, and pedestrian groups to participate in the Rails To Trails Conservancy's (RTC) '2010 Campaign for Active Transportation.'
RTC is seeking to double funding to $9 billion for non-motorized transportation in the next reauthorization of the federal transportation budget. The proposal will advocate that $2 billion of the funds support forty communities, which could include Spokane, with $50 million in funding over six years to increase biking and walking for transportation. More information can be found at . www.smartroutes.org
To draw attention and announce RTC's 2010 Active Transportation Campaign, today is a national media day. There will be a local event this afternoon to introduce Spokane's regional plan on how increased funding would be spent. Spokane's plan is known locally as the 'SmartRoutes Initiative.' Area agencies and volunteers evaluated and prioritized trails and pedestrian projects and programs that would have the most significant impact on our community. Those projects and programs selected are the focus of the SmartRoutes initiative.
This afternoon, area leaders, such as Commissioner Todd Mielke, Spokane City Mayor Mary Verner, Torney Smith of Spokane Regional Health District, and many others will lead their staff members in a walk to the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza in downtown Spokane between noon and 1 p.m. to take part in the SmartRoutes Community Rally. Other groups and individuals are encouraged to attend as well.
The event will feature:
• Short introduction speeches by local dignitaries.
• 'Map stations' for participants to indicate which planned bike and pedestrian projects they would use.
• A pedestrian and transit survey. Results will be used to develop a Regional Pedestrian Plan
• A 'mini information fair' of area agencies and walking and biking groups.
Participants are encouraged to walk, bike, or ride the bus to the event; there will be a monitored bike corral inside the plaza, and free bus passes for people who need a ride back to work or home.
Please help us to promote this event. It is important to demonstrate that the community is behind this effort. Volunteers from community groups such as the Inland Northwest Trails Coalition, Greater Spokane Incorporated, WSU Spokane, and The Lands Council are available for interviews and live shots leading up to the rally. Please call (509) 343-6370 to arrange for interviews or (509) 230-2812 on weekends or evenings.
For special accommodations or translation services, call (509) 343-6370 48 hours in advance. SRTC assures nondiscrimination in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.O. 100.259) and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Contact: Staci Lehman
Public Information and Education Coordinator, (509) 343-6387
