You-Haul: Moving your home by bike.

Making a bicycle your primary mode of transportation for getting to all those places you need to go – work, school, grocery store, coffee shop, and so on – is a solid accomplishment. It’s good for you, good for the community, and good for the Earth. But check this out…

Moving your home by bike.

No trucks. No moving guys. Just your two wheels, a trailer, and the same commitment to making a bicycle the one and only form of transportation you use. Oh… and a whole bunch of other folks with their two wheels and the same commitment.

Check out this GREAT VIDEO of a move by bike!

The move took place in Portland, OR – a city that has made major commitments to the bicyclist and commuter lifestyle. The move was made possible by SHIFT, “a loose-knit and informal bunch of bike-loving folks.” Their web site (www.shift2bikes.org) has a page that allows folks to post requests for two-wheeled help with a move.

Check out the video and web site to get inspired about what is possible on two wheels.

The Numbers Are In: June sample

Cyclists (total #): 119
Commuters (#): 49
Commuters (% of total # of Cyclists): 40%

Cyclists (average # per day): 10.8
Commuters (average # per day): 4.3

Cyclists (range): 4 – 19
Commuters (range): 0 - 14

(Data was collected for 11 Days in June.)


How is the data collected?
This is an informal collection of data and only a sample of the actually number of cyclists and commuters in the Albuquerque area. Obviously, I can't ride everywhere in a single day. All counts are done on my way to work, along the route I ride every day. The time of day varies (this information was not included here). I do not include myself in any of the data. I have a specific set of guidelines I follow when counting and distinguishing commuters from cyclists.

A “Cyclist” is anyone and everyone riding a bicycle. In the above data, the numbers include commuters, roadies, mountain bikers, recreational riders -- everyone on two wheels that I saw.

A “Commuter” is anyone riding a bicycle whose primary goal is to transport themselves from one destination to another (i.e. going to work, going to the store, going to school, etc.). The one observable trait I regularly use to distinguish a commuter from people riding for exercise or leisure is a loaded backpack or panniers; the cyclist is carrying “cargo”. Other observable characteristics include casual clothing, a casual pace, and moving along roadways in a bike lane or on a bike path.

If I cannot get a good look at a rider (because the person is too far away) or if there is even the slightest question in my mind as to the rider's primary purpose, I count that person only as a “Cyclist”.

The Bike Commuter Act of 2007: Senator Bingaman Writes Back

Senator Jeff Bingaman is the first to respond to the emails I wrote regarding the Bike Commuter Act of 2007. Here’s what he had to say:

“Dear Mr. Kelly,

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 858, the Bicycle Commuters Benefit Act of 2007. I appreciate your taking the time to write. As you know, this bill was introduced by Senator Ron Wyden on March 13, 2006, and was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. I agree that we should encourage alternative modes of transportation other than automobiles. As a member of the Finance Committee, please be assured I will keep your comments in mind should this bill come up for consideration. Again, thank you for writing. I hope you will continue to keep me informed of issues of importance to you and your community.

Sincerely,
JEFF BINGAMAN
United States Senator”

Thank you, Senator Bingaman, for taking the time to respond. It is greatly appreciated.

Has anyone else heard back from their Congressional reps? If so, post the response so we can all read it.

The Senator points out that the Senate version of the Bike Commuter Act has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee for approval; this is the first hurdle the bill must clear if we want to see the tax code changed. Senator Bingaman is a member of the Finance Committee, so his general support of this measure is noteworthy and critically important.

For those of us living in New Mexico, Senator Bingaman is the guy. Get your fingers typing or your pen scribbling! Let the Senator know there are plenty of reasons (you, me, and every other person in the state) for him to support the Bike Commuter Act of 2007.

For those of you not from New Mexico, here is a list of other Senators on the Finance Committee arranged by party and state. Just like Senator Bingaman, these folks are the key to clearing the first hurdle. If one of them is your Senator, voice, type or scribble your support for the Bike Commuter Act today!

Democrats
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, AR
KEN SALAZAR, CO
JOHN F. KERRY, MA
DEBBIE STABENOW, MI
MAX BAUCUS, MT
KENT CONRAD, ND
JEFF BINGAMAN, NM
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, NY
RON WYDEN, OR
MARIA CANTWELL, WA
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, WV

Republicans
JON KYL, AZ
CHARLES GRASSLEY, IA
MIKE CRAPO, ID
PAT ROBERTS, KS
JIM BUNNING, KY
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, ME
TRENT LOTT, MS
GORDON SMITH, OR
ORRIN G. HATCH, UT
CRAIG THOMAS, WY

The Bike Commuter Act of 2007: Have you written your Congressman?

Today I sent emails to the folks representing New Mexico in Congress.

Have you written your letter or email?

Below is the text of the email I sent. You are welcome to borrow the ideas and the format. Just get your fingers typing.

-----

"I am writing to respectfully urge you to cosponsor and support The Bike Commuter Act, H.R.1498/S. 858.

The Bicycle Commuter Act would extend the definition of the Transportation Fringe Benefit in Section 132 (f) of the 1986 IRS code to include bicycles with the phrase “bicycle commuting allowance.” The program is voluntary for employers and would allow them to provide tax-exempt compensation to employees for those costs incurred by bike commuting, such as lights, bike maintenance, raingear, panniers, parking (locker rental) and changing facilities. The tax code currently allows employers to compensate employees in this manner for the costs incurred through commuting to work by car, vanpooling, or mass transit. Sadly, the tax code does not presently include bicycles.

Global warming, the impact of obesity on our national health, alternative-energy and low emission vehicles, and reducing dependence on foreign oil are all serious topics faced by New Mexicans and by our national community. Bike commuting is not a magical solution to these challenges but it can have a significant and constructive impact on them all. How?

I am a bike commuter living in Albuquerque. I bike 20 miles a day, 100 miles a week, almost 5000 miles a year to and from work. I have lost 20 pounds since I began commuting by bike almost a year ago. I have saved nearly $3000 in gas expenses during that time. Sweat and my own huffing, puffing breath are the only emissions produced as I propel my bike along the road.

I am just a single commuter. I have made difference.

Please cosponsor H.R. 1498/S. 858. Your support of bike commuting will encourage others to make a difference in their lives and communities in the most positive of ways.

Thank you greatly for your time and consideration of this matter. I look forward to hearing from you."

Bike to Work Day in Albuquerque - Friday, May 18

The official Bike to Work Day for the City of Albuquerque will be Friday, May 18, just mid way through national Bike to Work Month.

BikeABQ, the City of Albuquerque, and NM Railrunner will be hosting four breakfast stops (from 6:30 am to 8:30 am) around the city to celebrate and support cyclists, and to draw people into the conversation about bike commuting.

Two of these stops will be located along bike paths. One is at the Erna Ferguson Library, between Comanche and San Mateo. The other is at the Journal Center, at the east side of the Rail Runner parking lot closest to the path. Ride by, grab a bagel, get some schwag, register for a bike drawing and, above all…

Show your support for bike commuting.

For more information and maps of breakfast stops, head to BikeABQ’s website.

The Bike Commuter Act of 2007

Yes, it’s true: there are actual legislative efforts taking place in Congress that directly promote bike commuting across the nation.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) originally conceived the act and brought it to the House of Representatives in March this year. A Senate version of the same bill was also introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) in March. This is the third year in a row these bills have been introduced by the Congressmen.

Under the current tax code, there is something called a Transportation Fringe Benefit that allows employers to provide tax exempt compensation to employees for certain costs incurred while commuting to work. This includes parking and mast-transit costs. But there is not a word about bicycles.

This is what the Congressmen hope to change. Rep. Blumenauer and Sen. Wyden want to include bike commuting within the Transportation Fringe Benefit so that employers can offer the same tax exempt benefits to employees who get to work on their bicycles. The House bill is number H.R. 1498 and the Senate bill is number S. 858. They hope to get the changes attached to the next energy bill in the House on July 4.

I will be following these bills closely and automatic updates will appear in the column on the right-hand side of this blog. Keep checking in to see what is happening.

Better still... take action now!

Visit Rep. Blumenaur's web site for more facts and information about the proposed amendment. You can also read the amendment itself.

Go to the League of American Bicyclists, fill out their form, and an email in your name will automatically be sent to each of the men and women representing us in Congress.

Contact our NM Congressional Delegates directly, in your own words:

Sen. Pete Domenici
328 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6621
Email: through his website
Website: http://domenici.senate.gov/

Sen. Jeff Bingaman
703 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5521
TDD: (202) 224-1792
Tollfree (in NM): 1-800-443-8658
Email: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov, or through his website
Website: http://bingaman.senate.gov/

Rep. Heather Wilson
442 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-6316
Email: through her website
Website: http://wilson.house.gov

Rep. Steve Pearce
1607 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-2365
Email: through his web site
Website: http://www.house.gov/pearce

Rep. Tom Udall
1410 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-6190
Email: through his website
Website: http://www.house.gov/tomudall