Introduction of the Bikeshare Transit Act of 2021
Floor Speech
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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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