Kansas City’s $35 million bicycle/pedestrian proposal for federal TIGER stimulus money would include a couple of very innovative programs with an intensive focus on promoting bicycling, walking, and transit in disadvantaged communities. Both programs compliment the Green Impact Zone, a program that focuses millions of dollars of stimulus money to create a green economy on the city’s East Side.
1. Job training would be made available to youth and young adults in areas like bicycle maintenance and repair, community education, and entrepreneurship. Today there is no bike shop on the East Side, in either the 3rd or 5th Districts. This program would give local residents the skills to start a new bike shop or other bike-related businesses, become a mechanic, or become cycling instructors in their communities.
2. Healthier neighborhoods would be fostered by focusing marketing and education efforts to help residents incorporate active transportation into their lives. Cities as diverse as Portland Oregon and Columbia, Missouri have succeeded in improving the health and safety of neighborhoods by intensively focusing the investment resources. Read more about Portland’s SmartTrips program and Columbia’s Neighbors on the Go.
These two programs could dramatically boost the region’s chances of winning more federal stimulus money. The bicycle/pedestrian proposal makes transportation investments that result in more livable and sustainable communities, goals that align very closely with the US Department of Transportation’s new approach to transportation planning.
There is a lot of competition for a limited pool of money, so make sure to ask the City Council to support this.
Previous posts about TIGER stimulus funds.
