Mr. Smith move over, as this week two of the leading bicycle advocacy groups – which for the record are in the process of a merger – have headed to Capitol Hill for the National Bike Summit. This comes as Americans across the nation are bicycling in record numbers, and bicycle sharing is seeing adoption in places that just a few years ago might not have seemed so bike friendly.
This week as part of the event, more than 800 cyclists from 49 streets are heading to the halls of Congress to share their stories and show lawmakers and policymakers how bicycling can be important transportation option.
The League of American Bicyclists and Bikes Belong released some key findings:
• In 2011, bicycling was the second most popular outdoor activity in America by frequency of participation.
• The number of Americans who commute to work by bike grew by 48 percent between 2000 and 2010.
• 70 percent of U.S. residents say having bike lanes or paths in their community is important to them.
“We are witnessing an exciting shift in transportation that is reinvigorating our city streets as vibrant public spaces that promote health, economic development and a sense of community,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “The nearly 800 participants at this year’s Summit are just a drop in the rising tide of Americans who are using their bikes for transportation or recreation.”
Right now, the stakes for American cyclists are high: The current federal transportation bill expires on March 31 and the U.S. House of Representatives is poised to eliminate funding that helps local communities build bike lanes and programs that help children bike to school safely. On Thursday, Summit participants will visit Capitol Hill and tell their members of Congress that bicycling is a fundamental and growing part of the American transportation system.