It was an exciting
time for Tennessee at the National Bike Summit. With our
largest state delegation ever with 8 representatives registered, 5
were from Chattanooga thanks to the CBC. With the extra help
present, we were able to meet with every single office of our
Tennessee representatives, from Senator Alexander to Representative
Wamp. Quint Mansell, Daisy Blanton and Melissa Taylor were
hard at work promoting our interests on Capitol Hill, along with
Bob Murphy and Kerry Roberts from Nashville. TDOT was even
represented at this year’s summit by John Houghton.
Chattanooga was one of only 11 cities to receive special
recognition at a reception to honor Bicycle Friendly Communities
where Melissa answered numerous questions from interested
delegates.
Specific
“asks” included continued focus on completing the South
Chickamauga Greenway, full funding for the Conserve by Bicycle Act
and the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance office of the
National Park Service, which is very active here in Chattanooga
building trails and other assets. We also encouraged passage
of the Bicycle Commuter Act – Harold Ford signed on as a
cosponsor thanks to our visit! The CBC’s support of
this advocacy will have results locally and is appreciated by the
League of American Bicyclists.
(Photo
by Chris Daigle)
