Here's a thought provoking story out of Walker. Seems as if 64 seniors decided to do something a bit different as part of the end of year prank tradition. They rode their bikes to school and paraded them in front of a assembly.
As recounted by "Streetsblog" the initial response from the Kenowa High principal was to not only suspend them for the last day, but to ban them from walking at commencement! After howls of protest from parents, the principal relented.
But the real discussion from this story is the fact that such a "prank" as riding ones bike to school would get a group of high school seniors in trouble in the first place. These students get it...now if we can get adults to understand the importance of creating bicycle and pedestrian spaces, we might actually be able to create 21st century communities.
And, reports from the conference committee negotiating a new federal transportation program indicate that there is a a number of House members that would like to eliminate the program that provides communities with the funding needed for bicycle and pedestrian projects.
This is why its important for League members to contact Congressmen Camp and Upton as they work to negotiate a new federal transportation authorization bill. Tell them to support the current "Transportation Enhancment" program and the “additional activities” language in the Senate bill that would help revitalize Main Streets, make streets safer for walkers and bicyclists, and allow local governments direct access for communities to these funds.
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or aweinfeld@mml.org
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