The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act (H.R. 7) authorizes $260 billion in funding over the next five years for highway, transit and highway safety programs.

As drafted, the 847-page bill consolidates or eliminates 70 programs that are “duplicative or don’t serve a federal purpose.” Among the programs that it would cut is the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program and Safe Routes to School.

The Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program provided $25 million grants to four communities for sidewalks, bicycle lanes and pedestrian and bicycle trails with a goal to demonstrate how these networks can increase the rates of biking and walking while decreasing congestion and energy usage.

Safe Routes to School, introduced in the SAFETEA-LU bill—the previous federal bill that authorized transportation spending for 2005-2009, created safe ways for kids to walk and bike to school.

The bill also effectively cuts the federal Transportation Enhancements program, leaving spending on bike and pedestrian facilities completely up to states. And state Departments of Transportation will no longer be required to have a bicycle and pedestrian coordinator on staff to ensure bike and pedestrian access on new construction projects.

One positive note, the bill does maintain the current level of funding for Recreational Trails at $85 million per year through 2016.

Still, Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists, said the proposed bill reverses 20 years of progress made to include cycling and walking in the country’s transportation plan. In a video on the League’s website, he lists the top 10 reasons why it’s unfavorable for cycling and walking.

“We were expecting the funding would be under attack but were surprised at how carefully they want to take bike/ped out of the bill altogether,” Clarke said. “There were sections of the bill that we didn’t know they knew existed. They’ve gone out of their way to attack the bike/ped portions.”

The previous long-term law authorizing federal surface transportation programs expired in September 2009. Since then, Congress has passed eight short-term extensions.

The bill will be marked up by the Transportation and Infrastructure committee Thursday. Advocates are encouraging members of their organizations to contact their representatives to gain their support for an amendment that will be introduced by Reps. Tom Petri (R-WI), Tim Johnson (R-IL), and Dan Lipinski (D-IL).

The amendment restores dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School in a consolidated Transportation Improvement Program. It also directs states to fund two full-time coordinators to administer the program.

But they will need to gain the backing of other committee members in order to advance the amendment to a committee vote.

The bill (.pdf)

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Doug Bush of Endurance Factor Coaching will explain how to effectively set up and use your new training device as well as present information about the basic philosophy around their uses.  He’ll explain the basics of setting up the features of the devices, downloading and analyzing data, and how to integrate the information into your training plan.

Email Trish to register!

Our 12-week program starts week of May 14th!

We love beginners! Just ask any of the over 75 women who participated in our Women on Wheels beginner cycling program last year. This 12-week program will prepare you to successfully complete the Iron Girl Syracuse Triathlon (we’re the official bicycle retailer for this event, by the way!) or the Cazenovia Sprint Triathlon.

Cost – $200 for CNY Triathlon Club Members, $225 for non-members
*Does not include race entry fee.

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Not sure if this program is right for you? Here’s a testimonial from one of our program participants last year:

We’re Closed for our Annual Store Inventory this Wednesday, January 4th!

See you bright and early on Thursday, January 5th 10am!

Make this a holiday to remember by making somebody’s dreams come true for less! Now through the end of the year, take $300 off handcrafted custom Trek Project One bikes. 

Don’t settle for anyone else’s bike. Create your very own with Project One, Trek’s custom bike program. Customize, personalize, sensationalize—the choice is yours. Just select the model, fit, styling, and components you desire, and we’ll build your dream bike.

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Take your pick: Madone, the world’s best performance road bike. Or Speed Concept, the world’s best TT/tri bike.

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Thousands of design schemes, from boldly simple to outrageously cool, are brought to impeccable life by the best artists in the business.

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The right fit is everything. Your Trek retailer will help you select your ideal geometry and sizing for ultimate performance and comfort.

Financing Available

We are offering qualifying Project One customers no interest for 12 months.  All sales must be entered by midnight on December 31st, 2011 in order to qualify.