[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 197]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF THE BIKESHARE TRANSIT ACT

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 7, 2016

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, America is in the middle of a bikeshare 
revolution: 13 new bikeshare systems launched in 2014 and 11 more 
launched in 2015, bringing the national total to approximately 80. More 
than 10 million people rode a bikeshare bicycle last year. Systems are 
opening in large metropolitan regions like Washington, DC and New York, 
as well as smaller communities like Dayton and Boise. The increased 
commercial investment around bikeshare stations and networks drives 
economic development in these communities.
  Some of these existing bikeshare programs received federal monies to 
get off the ground, but the lack of an established funding source has 
proved an impediment to other projects across the country. Since the 
term ``bikeshare'' is not defined in U.S. Code or described by law as a 
form of transit, bikeshare systems and transportation officials alike 
now operate in a gray area. Congress needs to act to clarify that 
bikeshare projects are eligible for federal funding, providing 
certainty to investors, business owners, and commuters.
  That is why today I am introducing the Bikeshare Transit Act. This 
legislation will eliminate this gray area by defining bikeshare in 
statute and making bikeshare systems eligible to receive funding to 
enhance related public transportation service or transit facilities. 
They will also be listed as an eligible project under the Congestion 
Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.
  Additionally, the Bikeshare Transit Act will allow federal funding to 
be used for acquiring or replacing bikeshare related equipment and the 
construction of bikeshare facilities.
  The Bikeshare Transit Act will remove significant barriers facing new 
bikeshare projects as well as those existing bikeshare programs 
applying for federal funding. This legislation underscores that 
bikeshare programs drive economic development and are an important part 
of America's transportation system.

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