Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough Seek Federal Investment for Walking and Bicycling;
Alaska Communities Part of National Campaign

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lori Schanche (MOA), 907.343.8368

Pat Owens (VMBaH), 907.745.7714

Lois Epstein (ATPP), 907.929.9372

Anchorage and Palmer, AK – The Alaska Campaign for Active Transportation today released a written case statement demonstrating how Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla and the "core area" between Palmer and Wasilla could shift a significant percentage of driving trips to walking and biking (i.e., non-motorized transportation), even during Alaska winters. The benefits from shifting Alaskans' personal travel from cars and trucks to bicycling and walking include decreased road maintenance costs, reduced need for new roads and/or road expansions, cheaper personal transportation, safer non-motorized travel, improved public health, less air and water pollution, and more vibrant neighborhoods and communities.

The announcement occurs on the same day that dozens of communities nationwide join the national nonprofit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) in releasing case statements calling for greater federal investment in walking and biking.

"Anchorage is planning for the future, and the future means high fuel costs. With increased investment in the city's walking and bicycling programs, Anchorage residents will benefit financially and health-wise," said Lori Schanche, Anchorage's Non-Motorized Transportation Coordinator.

"Palmer, Wasilla, and the 'core area' have enormous walking and bicycling potential," said Pat Owens of Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers, a non-motorized transportation advocacy organization. "Federal investment in non-motorized transportation in the Mat-Su Borough will pay large health and community development dividends," she added.

"Too often, communities have been designed to accommodate cars instead of people," said Lois Epstein, Director of the non-profit Alaska Transportation Priorities Project. "Many seek to walk or bicycle for short trips but hesitate for lack of safe and convenient ways to do so. When communities have enhanced their non-motorized transportation systems and programs, walking and bicycling have increased dramatically." She added that the Alaska Campaign for Active Transportation will include a special emphasis on non-motorized transportation among Alaska Natives living in the area.

The Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough Case Statement can be found at http://www.railstotrails.org/whatwedo/trailadvocacy/case_statements.html. Confirmed partners for the Alaska Campaign for Active Transportation are: the Municipality of Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Southcentral Foundation, Alaska Center for the Environment, Alaska Transportation Priorities Project, Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage, and Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers.

Today, RTC is also releasing a report at the National Press Club, Active Transportation for America, funded by Bikes Belong (a national bicycle advocacy group). This report quantifies for the first time the significant contribution bicycling and walking can make to our nation's transportation system. The Active Transportation for America report can be found at www.railstotrails.org/ATFA.

Read the Case Statement (PDF format, 900k)
Read a letter of support from the Matanuska Susitna Borough (PDF format, 250k)