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New Energy Bill Funds Bike Pilot Program
Published August 10, 2005
President Bush on Monday signed a $14.5 billion energy bill that includes $6.25 million for a new bicycling pilot program.
The Conserve by Bike program will establish as many as 10 pilot projects across the country designed to show how promoting bike use through education and marketing can convert car trips to bike trips and help conserve energy resources. The Department of Transportation will oversee the program.
“While quite a bit smaller than the highway funding, it's an important addition to everything that's going on,” said Andy Clarke, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists, referring to the Transportation Bill.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) originally introduced the Conserve by Bike provisions into the House version of the energy bill.
“Bicycling is one of the cleanest, healthiest, most efficient and environmentally friendly modes of transportation that exist today,” Blumenauer said. “Bicycling, as an alternative to automobile travel, can be an important element of a comprehensive energy conservation strategy. However, this relationship has not been adequately studied.”
Bike commuters also may benefit from a provision in the bill that extends daylight-saving time by one month to save energy beginning in 2007.
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