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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2002 Contact: Mel� Williams Director of Government Relations Phone: 202-822-1333 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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. --- You are currently subscribed to bikeleaguenews as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley list named "bike." To subscribe or unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
