Physical Activity & No Child Left Behind  

NCPPA has been working hard to insure that physical activity is included in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) better known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB).  We were very pleased to see some of our language included in the section on the 21 Century Community Learning Centers portion of the initial draft.  The words physical fitness and wellness have been added to the purpose-in the current version of the bill, it is incomprehensible to many, however there was NO mention of any physical activity (although art, music and recreation were included) in after school portion of the bill.  This in itself is certainly a victory but it is just a start...there is still MUCH work left to be done! Please see the link below to view the comments NCPPA submitted to the Committee regarding the early draft of NCLB as well as a link to the full set of NCPPA proposals.

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-D) took immediate action on NCPPA's suggestions to incorporate Safe Routes To School (SRTS) programs in the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act (SADFSAC).  NCPPA advocates that the already existing grant program in SADFSAC be expanded to include non-infrastructure SRTS programs should the local entity decide it is a priority.  One of the barriers that people have consistently listed to participating in physical activity is having a safe place to do so.  Ms. Sanchez incorporated language regarding SRTS in her HR3438 bill (that she hopes to have included in NCLB)  that focuses on bullying and gang prevention as a part of Safe and Drug Free schools as well.  There is a link below to a copy of the bill with the SRTS text highlighted as well as a sample letter of support for the bill. 

The last major area of emphasis in NCPPA's menu of options lies with physical education and specifically enhancing the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP)-the ONLY federal money that goes to physical education.  The PEP program is included in the current version of NCLB but there are no figures associated with it.  NCPPA has asked for inclusion of an authorized dollar amount in the reauthorization that would more then double the funds that were appropriated to PEP in the last budget.  We are also advocating that local park and recreation agencies be included as an eligible grant recipient in addition to the community based organizations that are currently eligible.   In addition to supporting and helping to author the Coalition's NCLB efforts, the American Heart Association has also spearheaded an effort to enhance physical education further in NCLB.  Congressmen Zack Wamp (TN-R) and Ron Kind (WI-D), Co-Chairs of the House Fitness Caucus, joined forces with Congressman Jay Inslee (WA-D) to introduce the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act, or FIT Kids, (H.R. 3257).  One of the key features of the FIT Kids Act is including on report cards in every school, in every state, the amount and quality of physical education time that each student is receiving. The Act also calls for supporting professional development for health and physical education teachers.  In addition, the bill requires schools to have multiple performance measures for PE helping to insure that each school is offering high quality physical education. NCPPA is very supportive of this effort and is also working on behalf of it.  Please see the link below to view a summary of the bill.

HR 3438 Highlighted Text

Sample Letter of Support  Please send your letter today and "cc"  Sfranklin@nccpa.org.

NCPPA Hopes to Use Strength of Coalition to Introduce Physical Activity into the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

 NCPPA hopes to use the strength of our diverse membership to influence Congress to include physical activity provisions in the next incarnation of No Child Left Behind (NCLB)...or as it is formally known, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  Coalition members have all agreed that NCLB provides an opportunity to enhance physical education (PE) and physical activity (PA) in our schools-one that we feel critical to helping solve the obesity crisis in America.  A strong physical education program can lay the foundation for students to engage in a lifetime of physical activity. 

The Coalition sent a letter (see below) to the House Subcommittee on Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education expressing our concerns and offering suggestions for items to consider when looking at the bill.  We also included a copy of the current act with suggestions for amendments.  Click here to see the proposed amendments.  If you are interested in tracking our progress on this and would like to receive occasional updates by email, please forward an email with "NCLB Interest" written in the subject line to bmcknight@ncppa.org.

NCPPA Letter:

June 12, 2007

 

 

«Honorable» «First» «Last» «Suffix»

«Address»

«City», «St»  «Zip»

 

Dear «Prefix» «Last»,

 

The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA) is a diverse and dynamic blend of child and youth serving associations, health advocacy organizations, and private corporations who have joined together with the common cause of increasing the physical activity levels of sedentary Americans.  NCPPA firmly believes that there needs to be increased support for physical education during the school day; however, we recognize the political realities and funding limitations that exist. Given those limitations, we believe that the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind Act is an opportunity to enhance physical education (PE) and physical activity (PA) in our schools.  A strong physical education program can lay the foundation for students to engage in a lifetime of physical activity. 

 

Physical Activity plays a significant role in academic success.  The correlation between physical activity and academic success is one that is often overlooked in schools across the country.  Studies have demonstrated that physical education and physical activity programs have positive effects on academic achievement, including increased concentration; improved mathematics, reading, and writing test scores; and also reduced disruptive behavior. 

 

There are many avenues in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that can support the recognition of physical activity as an essential part of a child’s education experience.  We have combined our ideas as a coalition and offer you a range of options that will increase opportunities for physical activity.  Language can be added to the findings section of the law, in programs that support the school day, in programs that support the after-school setting, and in new guidance language for local education agencies.  I have included a document that includes suggestions for specific amendments to be included in the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

 

In addition to the role physical activity can play in a child’s academic success one must also consider the long term health benefits of regular physical activity and what this can mean to our nation’s health costs in a lifetime.  America has truly become a sedentary society over the past few decades.  Today, more than 60% of Americans do not engage in the levels of physical activity that could bring them important health benefits.   

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that school-aged children participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.  Thirty years ago, two-thirds of American children walked to school each day.  Today, less than one-in-five either walk or bike to school.  The rates of daily physical education in our nation’s schools for high school, middle school, or elementary-aged children are less than 10% across the board.  .  Over the past three decades, the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years. (Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, 2005 • Institute of Medicine) 

 

Chronic disease is growing at an alarming rate and much of its growth has been attributed to physical inactivity and overweight and obesity.  In the past one did not associate cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes with children, however, as sedentary lifestyles have increased these diseases have reached out their tentacles to children and youth in alarming numbers.  The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports that in a population based sample, approximately 60 percent of obese children aged 5 to 10 years had at least one cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor and 25 percent had two or more risk CVD risk factors and youth type 2 diabetes is becoming epidemic

 

Solving the obesity crisis in America will only be possible with a broad based approach (such as that used to reduce tobacco usage) that reaches across different populations.  NCPPA believes that the prevention of obesity, particularly in children and youth needs to be at the top of our nation’s public health priority list.  It is critical for our nation to find ways that will increase the physical activity levels of


 

children and youth if we are to be successful in the quest to reduce overweight and obesity.  Inclusion of physical education and physical activity in the school day is ever more crucial for the well being of our children, for keeping down healthcare costs, and ultimately for our nation's future health and competitiveness. 

 

      Suggested Language To Add To The “Findings” Section Of The Legislation

  •    Physical activity and physical education programs have a strong, positive effect on children’s academic performance in school.  A reduction of 240 minutes per week in class time for academics to enable increased physical activity led to consistently higher mathematics scores.[i]

  •    Programs that increase physical activity can help reverse the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States.  According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), “Between the early 1970s and 2000, the rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled for children between the ages of 6 and 11.”  The GAO also reports that experts rank “increasing physical activity” as the most important strategy for preventing or reducing childhood obesity.[ii]

  •    Disadvantaged youth often have the least access to safe venues for physical activity – underscoring the benefits of in-school and out-of-school physical activity programs.  The GAO finds that “areas of low socioeconomic status and high minority populations had fewer venues for physical activity” and “adolescents in unsafe neighborhoods engage in less physical activity” than their peers.[iii]

  •   The California Department of Education (CDE) (2002) conducted a cross-sectional study of 954,000 students in grades five, seven and nine.  The study individually matched Stanford Achievement Test Ninth Edition (SAT-9) standardized test scores with results of the state-mandated, teacher administered, physical fitness test, known as the Fitnessgram.  Results of the CDE (2002) study included a distinct correlation between students' academic achievement and fitness scores in all three grades; higher academic performance was positively related to higher levels of fitness with the greatest academic gains in students who met three or more physical fitness standards. [iv]

  •    A study published in the Journal of School Health (1997) demonstrated that intense physical activity programs have positive effects on academic achievement, including increased concentration; improved mathematics, reading, and writing test scores; and also reduced disruptive behavior.[v]

      Actions That Will Increase Physical Education and Activity In School

  •    Give equal standing to physical education as with other subjects, and foster opportunities for greater physical activity throughout the school day.

  •    Provide adequate financial resources at both the state and national level to support quality physical education and health education including adequate classroom and activity facilities.

  •    Allow adequate time in elementary and middle schools for daily recess that provides unstructured physical activity during the school day.

  •    Schools should regularly evaluate the physical fitness of their students and their physical activity programs, and make the findings public, so that parents can be assured that their children are participating in and benefiting from physical education, sports, and recreational opportunities offered by the school.

  •    Federal agencies and national organizations should disseminate tools to help schools improve their physical education programs and foster opportunities for greater physical activity.

 

     Actions That Will Increase Physical Activity in the Before and After School Settings.

  •   Reauthorize 21st Century Community Learning Centers at a level of at least $2 billion per year.

  •    Amend the allowable activities funded under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers to include physical activity.

  •    Reauthorize the Carol M. White Physical Education Program at $ 1 billion over a five year period

  •    Make safe routes to school programs an allowable use of funding under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

  •    Include direction on incorporating physical activity into existing programs in Service Learning recommendations. .

  •    School policies should support ready access to a member of the school athletic health care team for students participating in organized after school sport and other recreational physical activities.  It is recommended that that basic emergency care be available during all periods of physical activity.

  •    School policies and facilities should be such that they encourage children to walk or bike to school.  School should provide safe storage areas for bikes and crossing guards at major intersections to encourage safe walking and biking.

  •    School facilities should be open to the community during non-school hours so that playgrounds and gymnasiums, cafeterias, and “all purpose rooms” can be used for open play or for organized sports programs.

 

Suggested Guidance Language Directed Towards Local Educational Agencies:

  •    School administrators and city officials are encouraged to work with municipal agencies like park and recreation departments and planning departments to plan, design and fund safe attractive walking and bicycling facilities and paths that connect schools to surrounding neighborhoods.

  •    Encourage state transportation officials to utilize their safe routes to school funding to develop safe biking and walking routes program.

  •    Developers and communities should plan school construction in such a way that new schools are within walking or biking distance of the neighborhood they serve and whose location does not present significant barriers to these activities.

  •    Create a continuum of traffic safety education that would include life skills for walking and bicycling as part of curriculum, with pedestrian safety training in grades, 1 and 2; bicycle safety training in grade 3 and 4; and continuing education for pedestrian and bicycle skills through 8th grade, with a Standard of Learning related to walking and bicycling that is tested to ensure that every child graduating 8th grade can ride a bicycle safely in traffic.  Continuing education on traffic safety should be incorporated into high school curriculum and should dovetail with driver’s education.

 

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is our nation’s guiding force for public education.  The reauthorization of it provides an excellent opportunity for Congress to take specific actions that can enhance the fitness of our youth, both physically and mentally.  Incorporating the following suggestions for including physical activity and education in the act will not only help to ensure the health of our nation’s children but will also enhance their academic success.  The National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity is ready and available to serve as a resource should you have any questions.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Sheila Franklin

Director

National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity

1100 H Street, NW  Suite #510

Washington, DC 20005

sfranklin@ncppa.org

 


 

[i] Shepard, R.J., M. Volle, H. Lavallee, R. LaBarre, J.C. Jequier, and M. Rajic. "Required Physical Activity and Academic Grades: A Controlled Longitudinal Study." In Children and Sport, ed. Llmarinen and Valimaki. Berlin: Springer Verlag, 1984, 58-63.

[ii] Government Accountability Office (2005).  Childhood Obesity: Most Experts Identified Physical Activity and the Use of Best Practices as Key to Successful Programs, GAO-06-127R.  Washington, DC.

[iii] Government Accountability Office (2006).  Childhood Obesity: Factors Affecting Physical Activity, GAO-07-260R.  Washington, DC.

California Department of Education, “The Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement,” 2001 PFT/SAT-9 Study, Sacramento, CA., 2002

[iv] California Department of Education, “The Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Academic Achievement,” 2001 PFT/SAT-9 Study, Sacramento, CA., 200

[v] Symons,C.W., Cinelli, B., James, T.C., Groff, P. Bridging student health risks and academic achievement through comprehensive school health programs. Journal of School Health 1997;67(6):220-227

 
 

 

NCPPA Member SGMA’s National Health-Through-Fitness Day Is A Winner:
Sports Celebrities Lobby For Federal Bills To Promote Physical Activity

 

It’s no coincidence that obesity rates in the U.S. have been climbing while schools have been eliminating P. E. classes and adults have cut back on physical activity. To help reverse this trend, a delegation of advocates for physical activity traveled to Washington, D.C. in early March to share their concern with the U.S. Congress. To make a point, one Heisman Trophy winner, an NFL star quarterback, a tennis legend, and other sports personalities joined the lobbying delegation. The setting for this undertaking was National Health-through-Fitness Day, which was organized by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) in conjunction with National PE4life® Day.

 

The group conducted more than 110 meetings with U.S. Senators, Representatives and their respective staffs in their offices on Capitol Hill.  Every year since 2000, SGMA has organized a lobby day on Capitol Hill to help drive physical activity legislation.

 

On National Health-through-Fitness Day, a delegation of well-known athletes, sporting goods manufacturers, physical education teachers, health care professionals, association leaders, and concerned citizens visited Capitol Hill to lobby Congress for federal legislation that would make physical activity more accessible and more affordable for all Americans.  Some of the more prominent people in this delegation included former Wimbledon and U.S. Open tennis champion Stan Smith; Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown (Notre Dame); current NFL quarterback Chad Pennington; former major league infielder Ted Sizemore; current NFL linebacker Jonathan Vilma; current WBA Lightweight World Champion Juan Diaz; and ex-Boston Celtics guard Jo Jo White. The advocates walked the halls of Congress campaigning for two physical activity initiatives – the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) and the PHIT (Personal Health Investment Today) Bill.

 

PEP provides grants to local school districts to purchase equipment and train teachers in innovative physical education methods.  The PEP program has successfully enhanced K-12 physical education programs across the country through grants used for training in state-of-the-art health and wellness-based physical education methods which include the addition of new technology such as heart-rate monitors, pedometers, and the acquisition of state-of-the-art PE equipment and facilities.

 

The PHIT Bill would change current federal tax law to allow for the use of pre-tax dollars to cover expenses related to sports, fitness and other physical activities. Americans could invest up to $1,000 annually to pay for physical activities by investing money in existing pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Medical Savings Accounts (MSA), and/or medical reimbursement arrangements.  PHIT would only expand the eligible expenses…it would not increase contribution limits to these accounts.

 

The consortium asked Congress to approve level funding for PEP in Fiscal Year 2008 -- $73 million. The PHIT Bill, which was introduced this January by U.S. Representative Jerry Weller (R-IL), is in its infancy and needs additional sponsors in both the House and the Senate.

 

In Fiscal Year 2001, the PEP Bill was approved for $5 million. In FY 2002, Congress allotted $50 million; $60 million in FY 2003; $70 million in FY 2004; $73.4 million in FY 2005; $72.7 million in FY 2006; and $73 million in FY 2007.

 

“Obesity levels in the U.S. are growing at an alarming rate,” said Tom Cove, president of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. “This meaningful legislation will help provide America’s adults and children with the opportunity to learn about the importance of physical fitness in their daily lives. Our children need and deserve more physical education in our schools. Adults must incorporate regular exercise into their lifestyle.”

 

“With the PHIT Bill and the PEP Bill, SGMA has a chance to work with the U.S. Congress to send a serious message about the importance of regular physical exercise. This legislation could possibly revolutionize the nation’s attitude about physical fitness,” said Bill Sells, SGMA’s director of government relations. “Too many people are overweight due to inactivity and that trend needs to be halted. If not, our nation’s health care costs could reach $4 trillion by 2015.”

 

SGMA, the trade association of leading industry sports and fitness brands, enhances industry vitality and fosters sports and fitness participation through research, thought leadership, product promotion and public policy. More information about SGMA membership and SGMA's Sports Research Partnership can be found at www.sgma.com.

 

 

Leaders of, NCPPA Member, YMCA Highlight Important
Community Role Of Programs In Visits With Members Of Congress
 

Congressional Members Honored For Their Efforts
To Build Strong Kids, Strong Families And Strong Communities
 

(Washington, DC) – Close to 300 YMCA leaders from across the country will be in Washington, DC March 6-8 to visit members of Congress to discuss the vital role that YMCAs play in communities nationwide.  The visits are part of an annual legislative conference sponsored by YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for this country’s 2,617 YMCAs.  YMCA leaders will also hear from national experts about issues important to their mission.

 

“The programs of the YMCA may differ from community to community, but our goals remain consistent nationwide – to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities,” said President and CEO of YMCA of the USA Neil Nicoll.  “YMCAs have a tremendous impact in the communities they serve, therefore they must help shape policies that impact their work so they can continue to provide valuable services – whether its childcare, camping, youth, older adult, or health and well-being programs.”

 

This year the YMCA of the USA is recognizing two members of the U.S. Senate and two members of the U.S. House of Representatives with the YMCA Congressional Champion award for their part in helping to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.  This year’s recipients are Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Max Baucus (D-MT) and U.S. Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Jim McCrery (R-LA). 

 

In addition, YMCA leaders are asking Congress to support the following:

  • Increase funding to expand the YMCA Pioneering Healthier Communities™ program – an initiative currently serving 46 communities nationwide that helps facilitate changes that promote healthier living. 

  • Maintain or restore funding for other programs that support healthy living, including Steps to a HealthierUS and Carol M. White PEP grants and co-sponsor the Promoting Lifelong Active Communities Every Day (PLAY Every Day) Act.

  • Increase funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, Head Start and Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG).

  • Support tax incentives to encourage charitable giving and increase oversight and transparency of nonprofit sector.

  • Provide $1 million for the Jerusalem International YMCA (JIY)

 

YMCAs serve 20.2 million people, half of whom are under the age of 18, in nearly 10,000 diverse communities and neighborhoods across the U.S., and are collectively the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of child care and afterschool programs.  In addition, YMCAs offer a broad range of programs including health and well-being, civic engagement, and camping that help build spirit, mind and body for all.   

 

YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation’s 2,617 YMCAs, collectively the nation’s largest not-for-profit community service organization, serving 20.2 million people of all faiths, races, ages and incomes, including nearly 10 million children. YMCAs offer a broad range of programs including youth leadership and volunteerism and together are the nation’s largest providers of child care. Visit www.ymca.net

Physical Activity Programs Fare Well in SAFETEA-LU

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users

Congress finally passed reauthorization of the nation’s surface transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) on July 29, 2005. The Conference Committee worked hard to put forth a bill that all could live with and advocates expect the President to sign the bill into law.  The bill retains most TEA-21's physical activity programs with increases in some as well as offering several new programs including a major Safe Routes to School initiative.  Physical Activity advocates were pleased with much of the bill but were still a bit disappointed that some initiatives such as a Complete Streets program were omitted. Following is a  brief summary of the bill's physical activity provisions.  The majority of the analysis was completed by America Bikes.

Safe Routes To School
A Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program was included in both the House and Senate transportation bills but with major differences in their funding proposals.  The House suggested $875 million but the Senate had only proposed $312 million.  The program actually fared quite well in conference and the final bill includes funding of $612 million over 5 years. The funding will be distributed to states in proportion to the number of primary and secondary students in the state but no state will receive less that $1 million annually.  State programs will be administered by State DOT's and funds will be available to local communities to fix hazards and slow traffic on roads, pathways or trails near schools.  Local jurisdictions may also use the funds for focused enforcement and education programs.  A directive is included that will require each state to designate a Safe Routes to School Coordinator.  The bill will also fund a national SRTS clearinghouse.

Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program
The House bill had included a Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program funded at $25 million/year($6.25 to each of 4 communities)-the program required a 20% match per community each year as well.  This program was not included in the Senate version but did prevail in conference with the funding in tact from the House proposal.  The four communities are Columbia, MO; Marin County, CA; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN and Sheboygan County, WI.  The premise of the program is based on the theory that a complete network of bikeways and pedestrian facilities leading to important and popular destinations can make non motorized transportation a viable alternative to automobile travel in many instances. The funds will be used by the communities to construct sidewalks, bike lanes and trails that will help residents walk or bike to such places as schools, public transit stations, recreation centers/parks and businesses.  The benefits of non-motorized travel are multi-pronged from decreasing pollution to alleviating traffic congestion and perhaps most importantly, improving individuals' health through an increase in physical activity.  The four communities will be measuring the increase in frequency of use of non-motorized travel as well as its effects on the above areas.

Conserve By Bike
The manager's amendment to the Senate Bill included authorization (but no funding) for a Conserve by Bike program. The House bill did not include the program nor did the final transportation bill-SAFETEA-LU. Conserve by Bicycling did become law however as SEC. 732 of the Domenici-Barton Energy Policy Act of 2005.  This program, funded at $6.2 million calls for 10 pilot projects that will create educational and promotional programs to encourage individuals to use bicycles in place of automobiles for short trips.  The projects will test whether or not there would be a significant savings of energy and resources if a significant portion of short trips were conducted by bicycle as opposed to automobile.  The National Academy of Sciences will conduct a study documenting the success of the projects in converting trips resulting in resource and energy savings.

Fair Share for Safety
The Senate version of the transportation bill included a provision that would have required each state to allocate a portion of its safety funds to bicycle and pedestrian safety projects. The House did not include this provision and physical activity advocates were disappointed to see that it was not included in the bill that was sent to the President.  The percentage allocated would have matched the percentage of traffic deaths in the state that are bicyclists and pedestrians. This provision did not require any new funding and did not affect the amount of money each state received.  SAFETEA-LU breaks highway safety funds out into a new and larger program named the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), with funding authorized at about $5 billion over four years. This program is very similar to the past program, under which states have spent overwhelmingly on motorized safety -- less than two percent has gone to bicycle and pedestrian safety. In the new bill, the definition of highway safety improvement projects has been expanded to include a few specific bicycle and pedestrian projects. A new requirement that the states report back to the Secretary of Transportation may provide an opportunity to highlight the program’s effectiveness in ensuring bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Recreational Trails
Funding for the recreational trails program is provided at $370 million over 5 years beginning with $60 million and increasing by $5 million each year until 2009, when funding will reach $85 million.  This program is funded by a dedicating a small portion of the revenue resulting from gas taxes paid by off-road fuel users.  The final bill approved by the House and Senate increased funding by 64% over TEA 21 and will result in many more opportunities for physical activity throughout the nation.  The program has already helped to fund (along with matching grants from local and state trail organizations) 6700 trails across the country and physical activity advocates are hopeful that this number will increase as a result of the SAFETEA-LU The House bill had included funding at $503 million (by including a greater percentage of the gas tax revenue then in previous bills) but the Senate bill only allocated $270 million. The bill requires that at least 30 percent of the funds must be used on non-motorized trail projects. 

Transportation Enhancements
Transportation Enhancements (TE) was retained as a ten-percent ‘set-aside’ of the major Surface
Transportation Program (STP).  SAFETEA-LU provides approximately 3.5 billion dollars to Transportation Enhancements. Bicycling and pedestrian facilities and programs have become an important albeit small part of the nation's transportation bill.  Approximately 55 percent of enhancements funding goes to bike-pedestrian trails and rail-trail conversion projects.  TE is a community based program.  Federal TE dollars along with local matching grants have resulted in over 18,000 transportation projects that provide countless daily opportunities for individuals to engage in physical activity.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ)
The final bill funds this program at $8.6 billion which is lower than the amounts proposed in both the Senate and House bills. Traditionally about 5 percent of the funds have gone to bicycle and pedestrian projects (to help reduce air pollution), which would be about $430 million over the life of SAFETEA-LU.  Some CMAQ projects can be eligible to incorporate bike and pedestrian trail construction to reduce air pollution.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Clearinghouse
The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Clearinghouse is funded at $300 thousand for 2005 and $500
thousand annually for 2006 through 2009 for a total of $2.3 million.  This small but important program provides those working on bicycle and pedestrian projects with the best information available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking.

Scenic Byways
Scenic Byways are funded at $175 million for the five years. Bicycle and pedestrian projects usually account for a very small percentage of these projects (2-3%).

Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly Rumble Strips
SAFETEA-LU contains language that requires that rumble strips must not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists or pedestrians. The language in Section 1401 states:  ‘‘Installation of rumble strips or another warning device, if the rumble strips or other warning devices do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians, and the disabled.”

Transit in the Parks Pilot Program
This new pilot program calls for providing transportation alternatives in national parks that will enable visitors to experience the parks without driving. Although the program is included in the transit portion of the bill, bicycle and pedestrian projects are eligible for funding.

For more information on the Transportation Bill as it relates to physical activity,
please visit America Bikes or the League of American Bicyclists. 

Help Support NCPPA!

If your organization is not able to join NCPPA, please consider making a contribution.  NCPPA is a 501c(3) tax exempted organization and your donations will help NCPPA continue our work.  We strive to promote and advance physical activity and your support in the form of a membership or contribution helps us continue our mission of uniting the strengths of public, private, and industry efforts into collaborative partnerships that inspire and empower all Americans to lead more physically active lifestyles. 

Contributions may be sent to NCPPA, 1100 H Street, NW, Suite 510, Washington, DC, 20005.  NCPPA is a 501 c(3) tax exempt organization meaning that contributions are tax-deductible.  A receipt will be sent to all those making contributions.