Testimony of
Elissa
Margolin
Executive
Director
League of
American Bicyclists
Before the
United
States Senate
Committee
on Environment and Public Works
On
Mobility,
Congestion and Intermodalism
March 19,
2002
Mr. Chairman, Senator Smith and Members of the Committee,
thank you for holding these hearings regarding the reauthorization of the
Transportation and Equity Act for the 21st Century. On behalf of the League of American
Bicyclists, I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the benefits associated
with the use of the bicycle as it relates to mobility, congestion and
intermodalism.
The League of American Bicyclists was founded in 1880 as the League of American Wheelmen when cyclists from across the United States joined together to advocate for paved roads. Their efforts ultimately led to our national highway system.
Today, the League promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and
transportation and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly
America. We represent the interests of
the nation's 42.5 million cyclists. With a current membership of 300,000
affiliated cyclists, including 40,000 individuals and 600 affiliated
organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling to communities across
the country.
We recognize that bicyclists are not going to completely solve our nation’s congestion problems. However, they are certainly a key piece of the puzzle and can not be overlooked. It is important that Congress recognize the important role bicycling plays in transportation during this reauthorization process.
Aside from creating gridlock, traffic congestion wastes time
and energy and creates pollution and driver frustration. Those who use their bike as a mode of
transportation will be the first to tell you that their bicycling commuting
experience is far more pleasant than sitting in a car. The typical bike commute takes less time
than driving, particularly in urban areas such as Washington, DC; is less
expensive; certainly uses less gasoline and emits no air pollution. Generally, the bicyclist arrives at work
less stressed and invigorated for a productive day.
According
to the Federal Highway Administration, 40 percent of all automobile trips are
less than 2 miles. Turning even a small
percentage of those trips into bicycle trips would ease congestion
tremendously. Many of those trips are
made by parents dropping their children off at school, creating dangerous
congestion near and around schools. If
we help make those school routes become safer for children to travel by bike or
by foot, think of the congestion that would be eliminated, not to mention
improving their health by promoting physical activity. Mr. Chairman, the physical benefits of
bicycling for all Americans is an important topic that deserves its own
hearing, as does the environmental benefits.
Not
only will getting more people to take trips on their bicycle decrease the
amount of vehicles on our roads, it will also substantially decrease air
pollution. At the present, 80% of
carbon monoxide and 50% of nitrogen oxide emissions in the United States are a
result of our transportation system.
60% of automobile emissions pollution occurs at the very beginning of
vehicle operation when the engine is cold and the pollution control devices
have not begun to work effectively.
Therefore, the shorter automobile trips are producing more pollution on
a per-mile basis than shorter trips.
With
regard to intermodalism, the bicycle plays a vital role. All over this country, in addition to
bicycling all the way to work, people are biking to their local bus stop or
train station and then taking mass transit.
In some cases, they keep a bicycle at the other end to finish their
commute.
The
Federal Transit Administration estimates that at least one-in-five transit buses
nationwide are equipped with bike racks.
Buses in Seattle carry over 60,000 bicyclists a month, or 60,000
single-occupancy vehicle drivers.
More
and more of our nation’s subways and trains are encouraging bicycle access,
making it easier for bicyclists to use mass transit and reducing the number of
cars on our roads and highways, especially during rush hours.
Mr.
Chairman, it is critical that Congress continue to recognize the contributions
that bicyclists make with regard to mobility, congestion and intermodalism. Even a small percentage increase in
bicycling will go a long way in making a positive change and improve mobility
for all.
Thank
you once again for the opportunity to testify before this distinguished
committee. We look forward to working
with you throughout this important reauthorization process, as we collectively
strive to improve the transportation system in the United States for all
Americans.