In early 2008, Spokane Regional Transportation Council, Spokane Regional Health District, local political and business leaders, community activists, walking and bicycling advocates, and local planners and engineers got together to encourage people to find an alternative to driving alone. What they discovered is that the Spokane area needs to improve our bike and pedestrian facilities, and a lot of money is needed to do so, and build more.

In response,the ‘SmartRoutes 2010’ initiative was developed; an application and case statement for up to $50 million in grant money for transportation projects, in conjuntion with the Rails To Trails Conservancy’s (RTC) ‘2010 Campaign for Active Transportation.'

To read Spokane's SmartRoutes Funding application, click here.

Spokane isn’t alone in seeking money to improve non-motorized transportation facilities. 40+ other U.S. communities submitted applications to RTC on how they would spend $50 million.  To draw attention and support for the 2010 Campaign, there will be a national media event on Oct. 20, 2008 to showcase the campaign.

Support is needed on a local level as well, and there will also be an event in Spokane that day.

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