Support Full Funding of the Conserve by Bike Program

Current signers: Blumenauer, Case, Grijalva, Honda, Hooley, Inslee, Lantos, McDermott, Michaud, Moran (Jim), Nadler, Palone, Scott, Tauscher, Velazquez, Holt, Capps, Neal, Lewis, Baldwin, Eshoo, Boucher, Chandler, Kucinich

March 10, 2006

Dear Colleague:

I invite you to show your support for energy conservation, biking, and the "Conserve by Bicycle" program by signing the attached letter to Chairman Knollenberg and Ranking Member Olver of the Transportation, Treasury and HUD Subcommittee requesting full funding of $6.2 million. Hopefully, you had the chance today to discuss this issue with your bike advocate constituents who were on the Hill as part of last week's National Bike Summit.
Last year we were successful in passing the "Conserve by Bike" amendment to H.R.6, "The Energy Policy Act of 2005." While this program promises to quantify bicycling's benefits for our nation's transportation and energy future, the Department of Transportation does not have the contract authority to fund the program and this appropriation is necessary to implement the "Conserve by Bike" program.

"Conserve by Bike" establishes ten pilot projects throughout the country that utilize education and marketing tools to encourage people to replace some of their car trips with bike trips. The law also directs the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a national study that will help us understand the benefits of converting trips from cars to bikes, and how to educate people about these benefits. This research will help us better understand the benefits of converting trips from cars to bikes and how to educate people about these benefits.

Nationally, less than one percent of trips are done by bicycle. By just increasing bike trips by two percent nationally, we would save more than 693 million gallons of gasoline per year worth more than $1 billion and saving up to $5 billion in total consumer costs. Additionally, by encouraging and increasing bicycle usage we reduce our need to import foreign oil and improve public health, through a reduction in vehicle emissions as well as combating the rates of adult and child obesity.

For more information or to sign on to the letter, please contact Brad Cantor in my office at brad.cantor@mail.house.gov or x54811.

Sincerely,

Earl Blumenauer
Member of Congress

April XX, 2006
The Honorable Joe Knollenberg
Chairman
Subcommittee on Transportation Treasury, HUD, the Judiciary, and District of Columbia
2358 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable John W. Olver
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Transportation Treasury, HUD, the Judiciary, and District of Columbia
1016 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Knollenberg and Ranking Member Olver:
As you are drafting the Fiscal Year 2007 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and District of Columbia appropriations bill, we urge you to provide full funding for the Conserve by Bike program.

The "Conserve by Bike" amendment, unanimously added to the "Energy Policy Act of 2005," H.R.6, and signed into law August 8, 2005 authorizes $6.2 million to establish ten pilot projects throughout the country that utilize education and marketing tools to encourage people to replace some of their car trips with bike trips. The law also directs the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a national study that will help us understand the benefits of converting trips from cars to bikes, and how to educate people about these benefits. This research will help us better understand the energy savings of converting trips from cars to bikes and how to educate people about these benefits.

Nationally, less than one percent of trips are by bicycle. But in some bike-friendly communities, more than two percent of trips are by bike. A national increase to two percent would save more than 693 million gallons of gasoline in a year, worth more than $1 billion, and saving up to $5 billion in total consumer driving costs. This reduces our need to import foreign oil. In addition to conserving our energy resources, an increased number of bike trips would improve our public health by reducing vehicle emissions and facilitating physical activity. Unlike automotive transportation, bicycling is emissions¬free. This is especially important as our nation struggles to address clean air challenges and alarming rates of adult and child obesity.

An appropriation of $6.2 million for the Conserve by Bike program is an invaluable investment in our nation's transportation and energy future. We greatly appreciate your thoughtful consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Name Here

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