Curtis supports biking as transportation alternative

U.S. Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) recently joined the Congressional Bike Caucus, an informal bipartisan group that supports policy and safe infrastructure for bicycling.

“As Mayor, I was proud to lead by example and biked to work every day to do my part to decrease emissions and support my personal health,” Rep. Curtis said. “We should be doing all we can to make it easier for local communities to plan efficiently for non-vehicle transportation. I am proud to join the bipartisan bike caucus to share these benefits with my colleagues in Washington.”

The announcement follows Rep. Curtis’ recent participation in BikeWalk Provo on its “World-famous Bike Tour” around central Provo, Utah, where several program volunteers encouraged him to join the caucus, according to a statement from Rep. Curtis’ office.

“We thank Rep. Curtis for the contributions he’s made for safe and accessible biking and walking infrastructure in Provo,” Austin Taylor, executive director of BikeWalk Provo, said. “Provo has benefited from his vision, and we believe Utah and our nation will as well.”

Before his election to Congress in 2017, Rep. Curtis served as mayor of Provo from 2010 to 2017. During his administration, Rep. Curtis championed several active transportation solutions, including protected bike lanes on Cougar Boulevard, Utah Valley Express bus rapid transit, and Provo River Trail improvements. Rep. Curtis has long seen biking as a bipartisan solution to address climate change as well as car emissions and transportation issues in American Cities, according to a statement from his office.

The caucus led by co-chairs U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), includes more than 130 members, representing 39 states and the District of Columbia. It has helped move bicycling legislation, such as the Bike to Work Act, which created a tax benefit for bike commuters. Since 2000, the caucus’ work has helped bike commuting grow 60 percent nationwide.