BIKE: Bicycle Organizations Support Commuter Rail

[David Foster]

The Texas Bicycle Coalition, Austin Metro Trails and Greenways, and the 
Austin Cycling Association have all endorsed Cap Metro's commuter rail 
proposal, and here is the joint message they have released:

"The undersigned bicycle organizations urge everyone who wishes to see a 
more bicycle-friendly Austin to vote FOR Cap Metro's urban commuter rail 
proposal next Tuesday.

Here's why: Cap Metro has a proven track record of supporting bike 
transportation, accommodating bikes on its buses (the first transit agency 
in the state to do so) and returning millions of dollars to build bicycle 
facilities as part of regional mobility efforts. Consistent with this 
outstanding record, the agency is now committing to provide state-of-art 
bicycle accommodations on rail cars, secure and adequate parking at future 
rail stations, and safe and adequate bicycle entry to and exit from future 
rail stations.

Moreover, in response to requests from the  bike community, Cap Metro has 
agreed to build hike-and-bike trails (rails-with-trails) parallel to and at 
a safe distance from the tracks wherever feasible. Since rail corridors 
usually pass beneath highways and  major roads, rails-with-trails can allow 
people to walk or bike safely beneath barriers such as 183, MoPac, I 35 and 
Ben White, and help close gaps in our existing bicycle and trail networks.

We believe that urban commuter rail can help make Austin one of the 
premiere cities for bicycle transportation, and one of the most liveable 
cities overall, in the nation.

Yours,

Robin Stallings
Executive Director, Texas Bicycle Coalition
476-7433
www.biketexas.org

Jeb Boyt
President, Austin Metro Trails and Greenways
680-1644
www.austinbikeways.org

Preston Tyree
Legislative Chair, Austin Cycling Association
338-4075
www.austincycling.org