The bipartisan Bikeshare Transit Act was introduced on Monday by U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) to provide additional flexibility to local communities in their use of federal programs for bikeshare programs.
“Bikeshare programs help people stay active, promote a clean environment and are good for the economy,” Buchanan said. “I’m excited to join Congressman Blumenauer in supporting legislation that will make it easier for more of these programs to receive federal funding.”
While federal funding is provided for many bikeshare projects to launch, there is no established federal funding source for such programs, which results in a gray area that prevents some communities from using federal funds for bikeshare investments.
Under the new legislation, language would be clarified to make bikeshare projects eligible for existing federal funding. The bill also defines bikeshare in federal transportation law while providing certainty to business owners, city and local officials, and commuters.
“America is in the middle of a bikeshare revolution,” Blumenauer said. “Removing barriers faced by new and existing bikeshare programs is important to providing choice and adding value to our existing transportation network.”
Bikeshare programs have shown to be a boon to economic development, with commercial investment increasing around bikeshare stations and networks. More than 10 million people reportedly rode a bikeshare bicycle in 2015.
“Creating a bikeshare system is like building new transit for a fraction of the cost,” Director of Transportation for America James Corless said. “It gives people another way to get where they need to go quickly and affordably. Especially for communities underserved by transit, services like bikeshare can be a crucial connection to everyday destinations like job and school. Innovative, affordable, and flexible ideas like this make federal dollars go really far, and we commend Representatives Blumenauer and Buchanan’s bipartisan Bikeshare Transit Act.”
Blumenauer and Buchanan are the co-chairs of the Congressional Bike Caucus.