[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 12 (Thursday, January 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE BIKESHARE TRANSIT ACT OF 2021

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 21, 2021

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Bikeshare 
Transit Act of 2021. This legislation passed the House last session in 
Sections 1210 and 2102 of the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2, 116th Cong.) 
and would make bikeshare systems eligible to receive funding to enhance 
related public transportation service or transit facilities.
  America is in the middle of a bikeshare revolution: at least 119 
communities have bikeshare systems, supporting a network of more than 
100,000 bikes. In 2019, riders took 50 million trips on bikeshare 
systems, and the number of trips and systems has grown every year since 
2010. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased demand for bicycles 
and bikeshare systems as people seek transportation options. Systems 
are operating in communities of all sizes from Los Angeles and Portland 
to Topeka and Conway, Arkansas.
  While some existing bikeshare programs received federal dollars to 
develop their systems, the lack of an established source of federal 
financial support has proved an impediment to many other projects. 
Since the term ``bikeshare'' is not included in federal law or 
described as a form of transit, bikeshare systems and departments of 
transportation are forced to operate in a gray area, creating 
challenges for funding and maintaining bikeshare systems.
  This legislation makes bikeshare systems eligible to receive funding 
to enhance related public transportation service or transit facilities. 
Federal funding can be used for acquiring or replacing bikeshare-
related equipment and constructing bikeshare facilities. Bikeshare 
systems will also be listed as eligible projects under the Congestion 
Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program. The Bikeshare 
Transit Act will remove significant barriers facing new and existing 
bikeshare projects applying for federal funding while underscoring that 
bikeshare programs drive economic development and are an important part 
of bringing choice and adding value to America's transportation system.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate 
to include this legislation in a long-term surface transportation 
reauthorization package.

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