Idaho Smart Growth

Transportation Choices

In the last few years, the nation and the state of Idaho have seen some pretty significant changes. Gas prices climbed to over $4 a gallon, and then fell back down to as low as $1.50, prompting a hard look at alternative transportation solutions nationwide. Idaho became the nation's sixth fastest growing state, yet Idahoans remained limited in their choices of transportation.

Idaho Smart Growth believes it is time to begin providing infrastructure for the 21st century. Transportation funding solutions must include funding for varied choices, including efficient and sustainable use of roadway funding, effective public transportation systems, bike paths, and sidewalks.

Idaho is one of only 3 states that lacks a dedicated source of state or local funding for public transportation. Yet, in every community throughout Idaho, critical transportation needs are going unmet. By ensuring that Idaho families have affordable and accessible choices in transportation, our work will:

• Put a larger share of families’ income to work for other needs such as food and housing
• Improve air quality and health by reducing the impacts of traffic congestion and unhealthy tailpipe emissions, and increasing opportunities to walk and bike
• Help ensure people can get where they need to go when they need to go there

What you can do

1.  Ask your elected officials and community leaders to:

• support funding for all kinds of transportation
• encourage local-option taxation for public transit
• support transportation enhancement projects (which include bike and walking paths)
• Support Safe Routes to school projects in your community

2.  Join the conversation at our blog, www.treasurevalleyinmotion.org, and join our Facebook Group, "Biking, Walking, and Riding in the Treasure Valley."

3.  Join our email discussion list on transportation choices:  join on our website  or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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