PA Governor Josh Shapiro Called on to Prioritize Investment in State’s Active Transportation Infrastructure

Pennsylvania Downtown Center joins dozens of national, state and regional advocacy organizations in offering the Shapiro administration concrete recommendations to accelerate trail and active transportation networks to address pressing issues facing the state—economic development, climate resiliency, mobility, and bike/ped safety

More than 20 national, state and regional organizations came together today, February 21, 2023, to call upon Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to take concrete actions to accelerate active transportation in the Commonwealth.

The letter addressed to the governor states that trail and active transportation networks are “essential infrastructure for equitably addressing the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvania—economic development, climate resiliency, mobility, and bicyclist and pedestrian safety.” According to the organizations leading the effort, the pace of active transportation infrastructure development in Pennsylvania is slow and not prioritized by any state agency, regardless of significant consequences for pedestrians and bicyclists who are disproportionately killed and severely injured in traffic crashes each year.

“Pennsylvania’s core communities are at their best when we provide options for all. Our downtown Main Street districts and neighborhood Elm Street districts thrive when pedestrians of all ages and mobilities feel safe to explore our communities”, said Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Downtown Center. “And, when we provide recreational and commuting options for our bicyclists and afford other transit options to our residents and workforce, we’re supporting places where people choose to live.”

To accelerate much-needed trail and active transportation networks, advocates are urging Governor Shapiro to:

The full text of the letter is available to read here. Individuals can sign on in support at this petition. Organizations can fill out this form if they would like to add their organizations as endorsing the letter.

“This is a moment of opportunity,” said Samantha Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Manager with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. “There is funding available which we can effectively multiply by applying it to an area of such great need and great potential return. The societal benefits that accrue from investments in active transportation infrastructure extend across so many arenas, touching on the economy, health, equity, and the environment. Mobility for all means an economy that works for everyone.”

For more information on the Healthy Communities Program in Pennsylvania, click here.

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