Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Blumenauer amendment to request a feasibility study on the installation and operation of Capital Bikeshare stations on the Capitol Grounds. I would like to thank Mr. Blumenauer for his bike-partisan leadership over the years and for his work on this issue specifically. His passion for cycling is known to and appreciated by so many of us.

Mr. Chairman, Capital Bikeshare opened in 2010 in the District of Columbia and in Arlington, Virginia, which I am proud to represent. Since then, the system has grown steadily to include more than 350 stations. It has changed the way many people in this region travel. The U.S. Capitol receives millions of visitors every year, and millions more visit our offices to talk about their issues and concerns. These people are friends, families, and constituents. There are also guests of the United States from all over the world. Capital Bikeshare has been successful precisely because many of these visitors want to see our city up close, from the seat of a bicycle.

Expanding this very successful program to the Capitol Grounds is a great way to give tourists, local commuters, and our staffs an excellent transportation alternative, not to mention the benefits the bicycle has on the environment, individual health, and traffic congestion.

This need is especially great right now as the D.C.'s Metrorail system undergoes extensive, prolonged maintenance. This puts a real strain on all the other modes of transportation in the city.

Capital Bikeshare is beloved by D.C. residents and visitors alike, and we should be setting a strong example by supporting the program and welcoming stations in the place where we work, right here on the Capitol Grounds.

Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Blumenauer for his leadership and urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

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