Act Today -- Support Cycling in the USA!

Something extraordinary happened recently to boost cycling in the USA -- and now we cyclists need to step up and support a new, influential hero who happens to work for all of us -- and is under attack for supporting cycling.

Our hero's name is Ray LaHood and he is the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). He leads the federal agency responsible for setting policy and dispensing billions in funds for all forms of transportation.

What's extraordinary is that a couple of weeks ago, at the National Bike Summit, Secretary LaHood -- a former Republican Congressman from Illinois -- made an impromptu visit to the Summit and told an enthusiastic crowd that the status of cycling and walking will be dramatically elevated in federal transportation planning. Specifically, he said: "Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized."

Wow! A few days later, he unveiled a major revision in federal policy regarding biking and walking. Read it and you'll realize what a great opportunity this is to give Americans cleaner, greener, and less expensive transportation options.

But no good deed goes unpunished. A few days later, Secretary LaHood was ridiculed for his announcements. One Member of Congress even asked him -- in a public hearing! -- if he is was "on drugs" when he made the statements.

Of course he wasn't -- and we need to speak up for Secretary LaHood today! Here's what you can do right now:

+ Send Secretary LaHood a thank you note at the DOT email address, his Facebook page, or by phone: 202-366-4000.

+ Ask your city council or state legislator to support the new US DOT policy (like they've done in Lee County, FL).

+ Write a quick note to your local newspaper supporting Secretary La Hood and the new US DOT policy.

+ Share this post with other cycling friends and ask them to speak up for cycling and Secretary La Hood.

Don't delay and thanks so much. We have a new and visible champion for cycling in Washington, DC and we want him -- and his opponents -- to know that there are millions of people who see lots more cycling in America's future.


in the photo: Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at the 2010 National Bike Summit

photo courtesy of bikeportland.org on Flickr

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JIM SAYER is the executive director of Adventure Cycling Association.