Advocacy Project: Letter to Public Official

April 27, 2009

Representative Thomas Huntley
585 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155-1606

Dear Representative Huntley,

I am writing in order to voice my opinion on bill HF 1705: Bicycle and pedestrian accommodation inclusion required as part of trunk highway bridge improvement program. I am pleased that this bill is currently under consideration in the House because I believe the inclusion would be a wonderful and much needed improvement to the infrastructure of our state.

The issue at hand is one that affects several groups of people: bicyclists, walkers, motorists, and any other commuters who use the trunk highway bridges. If this bill is passed, bicyclists and walkers will gain safer and more convenient transportation. Benefits for motorists and other commuters exist as well, such as increased ease while driving from knowing that bicyclists have a designated spot on the road.

In uncertain economic times such as these, when families are trying to cut back on expenses, the option of biking to work, school, or even the grocery store will not go unappreciated. Improving bikeways and walkways will allow people to use these forms of transportation to get where they need to go in a safe and timely fashion. Families will be benefited if these accommodations enable a family member to get to work, and the option of alternate transportation may also free up a vehicle for a family member who needs it more.

A lack of adequate and safe bikeways and walkways can discourage people from utilizing such alternative forms of transportation. This can be reversed, however, by the addition of bicycle and pedestrian accommodation proposed in bill HF 1705. As a bicyclist myself, I have often felt unsafe while biking due to the lack of space allotted for bicyclists. Also, it is frustrating when bridges that do not have adequate accommodation interrupt bike paths.

I realize that including accommodation structures in bridge repairs may require a significant about of additional funds, but I believe these costs will be offset in the long run by other societal benefits. For example, a higher number of bicyclists and pedestrians can mean a decrease in the number of vehicles on the road, which in turn leads to a reduction in carbon emissions and other air pollutants. Also, biking and walking are good forms of exercise and recreation, and when a population increases its overall heath, a decrease in health care costs may be observed. Other benefits that may help our nation’s economy include increased jobs for construction companies, and less money spent on emergency medical care response to bicycle-vehicle and pedestrian-vehicle accidents.

I appreciate your past support for bills on related issues. Based on your vote for HF 1351: Transportation Policy Reform, which looks to improve our nation’s transportation, I have concluded that HF 1705 supports your interests as well.

In order to better accommodate the many bicyclists and pedestrians in the state of Minnesota, I encourage you to vote “YES” to HF 1705 to include this accommodation to bridges repaired under the trunk highway bridge improvement program.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and contemplate the issue at hand. Your service to our state is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Hannah Schoof