Not trying to kill you guys with emails, but I thought this was
newsworthy....


----- Message from <bikeleague@...> on Fri, 12 Apr 2002 08:24:46
-0500 -----

To: <bikeleague@...>

Subject: Senate Adopts Conserve By Bike
Amendment


Welcome to the League of American Bicyclists' electronic newsletter,
BikeLeague News. Feel free to forward this to fellow cyclists and others
who may be interested, but please make sure to credit the League of
American Bicyclists as your source. To join or learn more about the League,
visit http://www.bikeleague.org.






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2002

Contact: Melé Williams
Director of Government Relations
Phone: 202-822-1333
Email: Mele@...

Senate Adopts Conserve By Bike Amendment

Washington, DC?During yesterday's debate on the energy bill, the United
States Senate adopted an amendment that would promote energy conservation
through bicycling. The Conserve By Bike Amendment passed by a voice vote
and was recommended by Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member of
the Energy Committee, as an amendment that "suggests the obvious benefits
of the bicycle."

Introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Susan Collins
(R-ME), the Conserve By Bike Amendment establishes within the Department
of Transportation a Conserve By Bicycling pilot program. This program
would oversee up to 10 pilot projects geographically dispersed across the
country designed to conserve energy resources by providing education and
marketing tools to convert car trips to bike trips. In addition, the
projects would encourage partnerships between stakeholders from
transportation, law enforcement, education, public health, environment,
and energy fields. Project results and energy savings must be documented,
and the Secretary of Transportation is instructed to report to Congress on
the results of the pilot program within two years of implementation.

The Department of Transportation is also authorized to conduct a study on
the feasibility and benefits on the conversion of car trips to bike trips.
The amendment authorizes $5.5 million for the pilot projects and the
study.

"We have been spending a modest amount of federal, state and local funds
on bicycle facilities since 1991. This amendment will leverage those
investments and help people take advantage of the energy conservation
choices they have in getting around their communities," Durbin stated.

The full energy bill is slowly making progress through the Senate, but
debate on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has yet to
occur. Once the bill passes in the Senate, it will go to conference with
the House to work out any differences prior to being sent to President
Bush for signing. Regardless, the amendment is a tremendous win for
bicycling.

According to Elissa Margolin, League Executive Director, "With the
adoption of the Conserve By Bike Amendment, the Senate recognizes the
important contribution bicycling makes to energy conservation in this
country. Senators Durbin and Collins have shown tremendous leadership on
this issue."

# # # # #

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and
transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a
bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of the
nation's 42.5 million bicyclists. With a current membership of 300,000
affiliated cyclists, including 40,000 individuals and 600 organizations,
the League works to bring better bicycling to your community.


We hope you enjoy BikeLeague News. Please forward this to fellow cyclists
and others who may be interested, but please be sure to credit the League
of American Bicyclists as the source for your information. To support or
learn more about the League, visit http://www.bikeleague.org.

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