[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TO COMMEND RIPON COLLEGE FOR ITS INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO PROMOTING THE 
                       USE OF BICYCLING ON CAMPUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Ripon College 
for the exciting, innovative approach it is implementing to tackle 
transportation needs on their campus. Ripon College, a liberal arts 
college in Wisconsin, last year faced for the first time a greater 
number of applications for parking permits than they had available 
spaces. In today's car-centric society, most people would have 
addressed this problem by laying more asphalt.
  But the Ripon College president, David Joyce, refused to consider the 
idea of paving over any more of Ripon's beautiful and historic campus. 
Instead, he championed the school's new ``Velorution'' program, which 
provides free bicycles for incoming freshman who pledge not to bring a 
car to campus.
  With contributions from trustees and alumni, the university teamed up 
with several bike retailers to provide each car-free freshman with a 
Wisconsin-built Trek 820 mountain bike, a helmet, and a bicycle lock.
  For too long, our transportation planning and decision-making have 
focused solely on the automobile. It's time we support nonmotorized 
transportation for the many benefits it can bring. This program 
provides a fun and easy way for students to incorporate exercise into 
their daily routines, and can encourage a lifetime of healthy, active 
transportation choices. The program will also take cars off the road, 
reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the negative impact our 
transportation system has on the environment.
  Ripon College is following in the footsteps of their representative, 
the gentleman from Wisconsin, Mr. Petri, who is a leading cycling 
advocate in Congress. Mr. Petri co-chairs the Congressional Bicycle 
Caucus, previously served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways 
and Transit of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
has been a leader in the development of the Nonmotorized Pilot Program, 
which has shown early success in promoting walking and cycling as 
important modes of transportation in his district. Ripon College is 
fortunate to be led by the gentleman's vision and understanding of the 
necessity of making sustainable transportation choices.
  I commend President Joyce and Ripon College for their fresh vision 
for meeting the transportation needs of students, and hope that their 
program will be an inspiration for colleges and universities across the 
country to develop sustainable communities.

                          ____________________