---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ilana Preuss, Transportation for America <info@...>
Date: Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Subject: Tell Congress our streets are for everyone
To: heather.stratton@...


[image: Transportation For America Logo]
<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=mtzktRxVEILCNwQpE36qkt5L2\
R%2BdikLZ>


Dear Heather,

*Which street would you prefer in your community?*

[image: Which street would you prefer to live
on?]<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qQahJrYo3gNa524qf6BE1\
95L2R%2BdikLZ>

*Ask your representative and senators to co-sponsor the Complete Streets Act
of
2009.<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FIoExdluv9Fgr0Pu%2\
BcR1vN5L2R%2BdikLZ>
*

*Ever found yourself walking down a five-lane road with no sidewalk?* Been
forced into a close call with traffic while biking through a busy
intersection? Or watched your kids cross a street with no crosswalks to
catch their school bus?

Those frightening experiences are all too common. But *it doesn't have to be
that way,* as anyone who's ever strolled down a tree-lined sidewalk or
ridden on a well-designed bike lane can attest.

We have a chance right now to get Congress to *change those old
road-building habits* and make sure our streets are safe and inviting for
everyone who uses them - not just those driving cars.

*Make sure your representatives and senators become co-sponsors of "complete
streets"
legislation.<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=2CTISHhyskPBt\
FdCDb7RvN5L2R%2BdikLZ>
*

*One-third of Americans either can't drive or choose not to.* Yet, most
communities around the country are laced with roads that are inhospitable,
at best, to people traveling by foot, bicycle, or public transportation. For
older Americans, children, and people with disabilities, these kinds of
streets are especially dangerous.

Complete streets dramatically change the fabric of a community, making it
possible for children to walk and bike to school safely, giving seniors more
security traveling to appointments, and providing everyone with safer,
greener and more convenient ways of getting around without their cars - a
smart option, considering almost half of all our trips are under three
miles.

Local governments are already leading the way. More than 80 state and local
governments have passed ordinances mandating that new road construction
provide a full menu of transportation options to meet the needs of everyone
using the road. *Now we need Congress to take the next step.*

This week, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and Congresswoman Doris Matsui of
Sacramento introduced legislation into Congress that would require all state
and metropolitan transportation authorities to adopt and begin implementing
complete streets policies within two years.

*But they won't be able to make complete streets into law without more
co-sponsors on Capitol Hill.*

*Ask your representative and senators to become co-sponsors of this bold
national complete streets
initiative.<http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=t67T6cq2cZ4jZX\
%2BfQ%2BQLg95L2R%2BdikLZ>
*

Complete streets are cost-effective, allow people to fight climate change by
leaving their cars at home, improve safety for everyone using the road, and
encourage active lifestyles that will reap benefits for a generation. We
must change the status quo and make our streets safe and accessible for
everyone, and that change can start with this complete streets legislation.
Thank you for your support of our campaign.

Sincerely,

Ilana Preuss
Outreach and Field Director
Transportation for America


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