BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — President Trump's budget eliminates the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program, which has supported bicycle-friendly projects. Trump's proposed infrastructure program also largely ignores bicycle infrastructure, according to PeopleForBikes. The organization said both proposals will face opposition from Congress.
"The president's infrastructure proposal seems to allow little (if any) room for new bicycle investments," said Jenn Dice, PeopleForBikes' vice president of business network. "It is frustrating that the president won't address our antiquated transportation network with a comprehensive proposal to modernize all modes of transportation. Bike infrastructure is cost-effective, focused on safety, and helps mitigate our growing congestion problems."
"The TIGER Grant program continues to enjoy broad bipartisan support in Congress," Dice said, "because members have seen its positive impacts in their backyard. The president is proposing to slash programs that provide important investments for improving our communities, and strengthening our economy."
"The elimination of the TIGER program wouldn't just hurt the $88 billion bike industry, but it would also inhibit innovative transportation projects that support economic development and healthy communities," Dice said. (Dice's $88 billion figure is from a 2017 Outdoor Industry Association study that includes tourism dollars generated by cyclists. The study is available here: outdoorindustry.org.)
"We look forward to working with our allies on Capitol Hill from both parties to ensure that our transportation policies support all modes of transportation and that they continue to fund programs, like TIGER, that are effectively building infrastructure in communities across America today."
