Regional Policy

In my first blog post, I indicated the Greater Washington, DC area regional network brought the unique challenge of encompassing two states and a federal district.

In every county of Southern California, Pauline and I are witnessing a groundswell of support for Safe Routes to School. One of the key signs of this increasing interest is the creation of countywide coalitions formed around Safe Routes to School, healthy eating and active living.

Those of us who have been in the field of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy for a while are quite familiar with the growing body of research connecting health to the built environment.

One of the best things about my job is being able to work with a diverse coalition of organizations toward common purpose.

I love living in Southern California, especially the Los Angeles neighborhood I call

Safe Routes to School is about walking and bicycling to school and in communities. The Safe Routes to School momentum spreads to players at all levels. There are only three communities with designated Safe Routes to School coordinators in the Greater Washington, DC region.

As I have reflected on yet another busy month with the Regional network project, I have thought about why the work the regional policy managers are doing is so unique, yet so pivotal, at this point in time.

Complete Streets are now officially supported by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Greater Washington, DC area. At their meeting this week, the TBP adopted a policy in support of Complete Streets

On Thursday, May 17, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) voted to approve the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) as part of the overall approval of their Regional Transportation Plan. OBAG provides roughly $800 million over four years to cities and counties in the region for transportation projects.

Sustaining a Safe Routes to School program is on everyone’s mind.