Larsen, McDermott, DelBene, Smith Call for Safety for All

"What's measured, matters" is a traditional saying in business schools, and a practice in both business and government.

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Hence Cascade has joined groups from across the country to call on the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) to measure states' records on bicycle and pedestrian safety, and reward those states that improve their safety records.

We thank Washington Representatives Larsen, McDermott, DelBene and Smith for signing a letter calling on the US DOT to specifically measure biking and walking safety. The letter was signed by 68 Representatives across America. Read the letter here.

Some context: as part of MAP-21, the federal transportation funding bill, the US DOT rewards states that do well on performance measures. While overall safety is proposed as a performance measure, there is currently no performance measure specifically relating to bicycle and pedestrian safety.

That's a significant blind spot. Currently 15 percent of road fatalities are people on bike or walking, but states are spending less than 1 percent of the Highway Safety Improvement Project funds on bicycle and pedestrian safety projects.

We hope US DOT Director Ray LaHood will direct the Department to measure - and reward - states that focus on our most vulnerable roadway users. LaHood is leaving soon, once his replacement is found. Measuring and rewarding improving safety for people who walk and bike could be a parting legacy for LaHood.

In the meantime, please join us in sending your thanks to Reps. Larsen, McDermott, DelBene and Smith.