To address congestion and induced demand, we need to provide people safe and comfortable alternatives to make their trips. Sidewalks are a critical component of transportation, that we have neglected for too long in our communities. I support sidewalk prioritization as a way to effectively address congestion and encourage greater usage of safer, cleaner, and cheaper alternative transportation.

I support HB762. Sidewalks are essential transportation infrastructure that have been neglected for decades in favor of expensive and dangerous roads that pollute our air and create barriers to walking and biking, as well as encourage sprawling, car-centric land use. Without sidewalks, pedestrians must walk in or alongside the road, risking their lives just to get to their destination. To make walking and transit as safe, convenient, and easy as driving, we must invest significantly more funding into sidewalks and bike infrastructure across the entire state of Virginia.

I support HB762 and expanding sidewalk infrastructure in Virginia. Improving mobility across the commonwealth without vehicles can reduce congestion and increase recreation, especially if it fills in missing gaps to public transportation connections like bus stops or regional trails. Many neighborhoods in Northern Virginia are within 0.5 miles of a Connector bus to the Metro, but they are missing a sidewalk and force residents to walk in the street. Providing funding for these connections will increase usage of our existing transit infrastructure.