It is an exciting time of new beginnings and opportunity - the beginning of my role as network director, a new blog and a huge expansion of the Safe Routes Partnership.

When I was about eight years old I decided to start a lemonade stand. My stand, which was rudimentary in design, included the front steps of my house, a pitcher of watered down lemonade and no cups.

In 2008 and 2009 we managed a Safe Routes to School project at five lower income schools around the country, launching and growing Safe Routes to School programs in those five schools for two years.

Both the House and Senate have decided to get down to business on a transportation bill.

Our work to expand the region’s Active Transportation program at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is progressing.