You can do two things in the next week and a half to improve bicycling and walking in Maine.

First, vote for the $85 million state transportation bond on the November ballot. A small portion of that money will pay for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Read on to learn details.

State Sen. William Diamond says the Department of Transportation should have explained its decision to lawmakers before hiring a contractor to operate the Casco Bay Bridge. Press Herald File

Second, ask those running for office in your city or town where they stand on bicycling and walking issues. For example:

• Does your town have a plan to create more multi-use trails and/or bike lanes?

• Would candidates support using local funds to match state and federal money so that your town qualifies for new sidewalks, improved crosswalks and other infrastructure?

• Do they support having your city or town adopt a Complete Streets policy that takes into account the needs of all users, not just motorists, when planning road projects?

• What would they do to improve your village center or downtown so that more people can walk and bike to do shopping and other errands?

• How would they make transportation in your town or city more accessible for Maine’s aging population?

Just asking those questions will get candidates thinking about the needs of pedestrians and cyclists. If they’re elected, you’ve already begun a relationship that you can build on as issues arise.

The state transportation bond on the ballot includes $68 million for roads and bridges. The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) adopted a Complete Streets policy last year that requires all road and bridge projects to be built with bicyclists, pedestrians and other non-vehicle users in mind, in addition to motorists.

Anyone who has crossed the Martins Point Bridge between Portland and Falmouth or the Veterans Bridge between Portland and South Portland can see how that approach pays off. Both bridges have wide paths for cyclists and pedestrians that are separated from the roadway.

Last session, the Maine Legislature considered a bill sponsored by Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, that would have set aside $13.9 million of bond money for standalone bicycle-pedestrian projects. Had it passed as proposed, it would have allowed the state to move forward with 50 projects. Maine DOT already has approved many of those projects, and local matching funds have been allocated.

In the final weeks of the session, legislators combined all of the transportation bond bills into a single one that does not specifically allocate any money for bicycle-pedestrian projects.

Instead, it says that $17 million of the bond will be used for “ports, harbors, marine transportation, aviation, freight and passenger railroads, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails” – in other words, everything other than roads and bridges.

If the bond passes, DOT will have discretion about how to spend the $17 million. Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Nass said one project that might be funded is a segment of the Eastern Trail between the Nonesuch River and Pleasant Hill Road in Scarborough. That would provide a continuous segment of the bicycle and pedestrian trail from South Portland to Saco. DOT would provide up to $1.5 million in matching funds for the trail.

The Legislature’s failure to set aside money for bicycle-pedestrian projects during the last session underscores the importance of advocates getting involved in the political process.

Most money for bicycle-pedestrian infrastructure comes from the federal government. Now is the time to ask those running for president, Congress and Senate in 2016 where they stand on funding such projects.

SEE AND BE SEEN

Daylight-saving time ends next Sunday. As we approach the shortest days of the year, it’s really important to make yourself visible when you bike and walk.

DOT reports that a total of 1,346 Maine pedestrians were hit by cars between 2009 and 2013, resulting in 1,257 injuries and 55 fatalities. Nearly 40 percent of those crashes took place in the dark.

Maine law requires bicyclists to use reflectors and front and rear lights at night. When I replaced my front LED light recently, I was pleased to see that the price has gone down significantly from a few years ago.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine will give away lights at several upcoming events as part of its Bike Brightly campaign. The coalition also will work with police departments around Maine to distribute lights to those who need them. Find details at bikemaine.org.

I have seen people use Day-Glo foam, reflective tape and lots of other ways to make themselves visible at night. If you have a creative approach, please tell me about it, and send a photo. I’ll report back in a future column.

Shoshana Hoose is a freelance writer who bicycles in Greater Portland and beyond. Contact her at shoshanahoose@gmail.com.

Related Stories