You can read our previous coverage of President-Elect Barack Obama’s possible choices for Secretary of Transportation here and here.

According to a recent article at Traffic World Online, even more potential Secretary of Transportation candidates have been added to the rumor pool. This is one cabinet pick that seems to be fueling a ton of speculation but no substantial information. Just as we have in our other articles concerning this vital pick, we have attempted to gather some basic biographical information and, especially, any insights into how they might affect the state of cycling and transit.

As always, take all of these with a grain of salt, because until it’s official.

Anne Canby. Image: New York Metropolitan Transportation Council

Anne Canby is the president of the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, which, is, in their own description “is a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices that enhance the economy, improve public health, promote social equity, and protect the environment.” Sounds good to us, especially given that the front page of their site shows a separated bike lane along with the headline “From the Margins to the Mainstream.” Sounds promising!

Anne Camby was also the Secretary of Transportation for the state of Delaware from 1993 to 2001, and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, according to her biography at the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council. Mark us up as a fan, we would be very happy if Anne was chosen.

Thomas M. Downs. Image: Citistates Group

Thomas Downs is Chairman of Veolia Transportation, which is “a leading private operator of multiple modes of transportation in North America, including bus, rail, paratransit, shuttle and taxi services.” They are part of a worldwide group that operates transportation services in cities all over the world. Interestingly, they even have job openings in Austin, i.e. for Capital Metro, at the moment. Mr. Downs was previously President and CEO of the Eno Transportation Foundation, a non-profit which “focuses on all modes of transportation, with the mission of cultivating creative and visionary leadership for the sector.” He is also a former President and Chairman of Amtrak. Finally, Thomas Downs is also a former Board Member of the organization mentioned above in Anne Canby’s biography, the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership.

How would he affect cycling? We aren’t sure, but he, obviously, looks all right on transit.

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