Earl Blumenauer was a cycling advocate long before he was elected to Congress in 1996. By the time he got to Washington D.C., he was very familiar with the environmental, transportation, and health benefits of bicycle commuting.  During his tenure as a Portland City Commissioner, Blumenauer worked with bicycle advocacy groups to make the city one of the most bike-friendly in the country.

Once Blumenauer got to Washington, D.C., he founded the Congressional Bike Caucus. The group was initially meant to be a fun organization for legislators and their staff who preferred to get around the nation’s capital on two wheels instead of four. But it quickly turned into a bipartisan group of lawmakers committed to working with the cycling community to provide more infrastructure and safer commuting routes for cyclists.

Bicycles: Healthy Transportation

Riding a bike is not only fun, it is one of the healthiest ways to get around. 

Bicycles: Saving the Environment, Burning Calories

When Earl came to Congress in 1996, he decided not to bring a car to Washington DC.  Now, after riding his bike in DC for more than 12 years, he's burned more than 305,000 calories – instead of 206 gallons of gas.  And his commute is only 2.6 miles!

Bicycles: Good for the Economy

Bicycling used to be thought of as only a recreational activity, important for personal pleasure and fitness, perhaps, but of no real consequence to the economies of our communities, much less our nation. 

Not anymore.

Today, the increased popularity of bicycling for transportation as well as recreation means that the bicycle industry is playing an increasingly significant role in local economies.

Goals for the 111th Congress

The 111th Congress offers plenty of opportunities for cycling enthusiasts to make their mark. With fluctuating gas prices and a heightened awareness of the economic, environmental and health-related benefits bicycling brings, and a documented preference for spending money on alternative transportation infrastructure, millions of Americans are ready to burn calories instead of fossil fuel.

Congressional Bike Caucus

Mission: To provide Congressional leadership in complementing the efforts of the millions of cyclists actively working for safer roads, more bikeways, convenient bike parking and increased recognition of the importance of cycling for transportation and recreation.