Legislation


	Bike Legislation




		Oberstar/DeFazio in Eugene




		Earl Blumenauer




		Barack Obama


	Here are a few numbers for your political leaders Sen. Jeff A. Merkley Phone: (202) 224-3753 Sen. Ron Wyden Phone: (202) 224-5244 Rep. Peter A. DeFazio District: 004 Phone: (202) 225-6416 Sen. Floyd Prozanski (DEM) Phone: (503) 986-1704

Funding Priorities

On February 3rd, 2009, the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of an amendment offered by Maryland Senator Mikulski that will give a tax credit for the purchase of a car. It covers cars bought between November 12, 2008 to the end of '09 This will cost over one billion per year in lost tax revenue.

The previous year, cyclists were awarded a fringe benefit for cycling. If you can get your employer to pay you $20 a month, the money is tax free! That amounts to one million in lost tax revenue.

Remember that one million is 1/1000 of a billion. That is the relative importance of cycling to cars.


	Click here to learn about the new bike commuter tax credit



		“...the politically correct class will tell you that bicycling is important, but they won't actually deliver on that statement.” Dave Snyder, Transportation Policy Director for the thinktank San Francisco Planning & Urban Research (SPUR)

		Legislation to support cycling faces an uphill battle as long as less efficient modes are subsidized. While legislation could have been enacted adding a tax on gas to encourage alternative transportation, the current high prices of oil are creating the effect of such a tax without many of the benefits. Instead of tax money going to fund alternative transportation such as cycling, the current additional cost of fueling a car is going to oil exporters and producers. Below are some links that serve to provide information on legislation effecting cycling.


	“We are more dependent on foreign oil today than after 9/11. That is political malpractice, and every member of Congress is responsible.” Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican, South Carolina.


	Transportation for American is working to make the Obama stimulus package good for pedestrians, bikes and mass transit. Daily updates!


	League of American Bicyclists keeps up with national legislation.


	BikePortland has updates on laws related to cyclists.


	Here is a link to the League’s page with laws by State


	Congressman Earl Blumenauer speaks to the role of bikes here.


	“The carbon based free lunch is over”, John W. Rowe, CEO of Execelon, the nations largest gas and electric utility.


	*Life is better with bikes* TM