WASHINGTON, D.C., July 24, 2003 — — Federal support for bicycle, pedestrian and rail-trail facilities was defeated by a narrow margin today, when the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations voted 29 to 33 on an amendment that would have fully restored the Transportation Enhancements (TE) funding that supports trail-building efforts across the country. The nonprofit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), which has conducted a nationwide campaign to fully restore funding for the popular program, declared that – unless reversed – this would be a devastating loss for communities that want safe places to walk and bicycle.

“The American people want more than just highways,” said RTC president Keith Laughlin. “By the time this legislation comes to the floor of the U.S. House in September, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy will have mobilized our advocates across the country and convinced our lawmakers that the Transportation Enhancements program is vital to the quality of life in every urban, suburban and rural community.”

The Transportation Enhancements (TE) program – responsible for nearly $3 billion in support of rail-trails and other bicycle and pedestrian facilities nationwide since 1991 – came under attack July 11 when the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies voted to eliminate all funding for the popular program.

Transportation Enhancements fund activities including pedestrian and bicycle facilities; scenic or historic highway programs; historic preservation; and preservation of abandoned railway corridors and conversion of unused railroad corridors to trails. Approximately $300 million each year is provided to rail-trail, bicycle and pedestrian projects throughout the country. All 50 states have least one open rail-trail, as well as trail projects in process that – with today’s U.S. House decision – are at risk of not being completed.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, through a partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, maintains comprehensive databases on Transportation Enhancement spending practices for each state. For more information visit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Web site at www.railtrails.org.