In yet another win for Western PA, Congressman Jason Altmire has decided to sign onto the Congressional Bike Caucus. Maurice Tierney, publisher of Dirt Rag Magazine and Scott Bricker, executive director of Bike Pittsburgh initially met with Congressman Altmire during the National Bike Summit to ask him for his support on several bike issues and to ask him to join the bike caucus. We’re happy to see him climb aboard!

The Bike Caucus is comprised of all the U.S. Congressmen and women who like to bike or like the idea of what bikes can do for communities and the environment.

The Mission of the Congressional Bike Caucus

To encourage Congressional leadership to complement the efforts of the millions of cyclists working for safer roads, more bikeways, convenient bike parking and increased recognition of the importance of cycling to our communities.

Background

Working with Representatives Oberstar, DeFazio and Joe Kennedy, whose “Chain Gang” successfully moved cycling onto the national agenda in 1991, the Bike Caucus quickly gained a dozen members from both parties.

The Bike Caucus was conceived as an informal, bipartisan group whose primary goal would be to provide a place for cycling Members of Congress and their staffs to have fun. Whatever the technical solutions proposed, their implementation in livable communities requires a process in which grassroots involvement helps create and validate partnerships comprised of civic and business organizations, state, local and federal governments.

Principles

• It is in the national interest to promote low-cost, low-impact transportation modes which decrease our reliance on imported fossil fuels
• It is in the national interest to insure that our national infrastructure provides safe, appropriate transportation options for all citizens
• Cycling, as a mode of transportation requires no fossil fuels, has no impact on air quality, creates less wear and tear on roads, and is more affordable than automated vehicles