U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis pedaled through town today to promote bikes as an alternative to motor vehicles.
Mayor Vinis said she was learning more and more about cycling, and shared how bike-friendly infrastructure can benefit Eugene. The city has more than 80 miles of on-street bike lanes, 40 miles of shared-use paths, and plans to expand on protected bikeways in the near future.
“By changing the way our streets are used, and adding safer crossings, separated bikeways, more shared-use paths, more bikeshare stations and an efficient transit system, we are creating a safer and more livable city.”
Congressman DeFazio said developing infrastructure legislation in Congress will hopefully accommodate green-friendly initiatives, including cycling. He recalled a recent visit to Copenhagen that impressed him.
“80 percent of the people commute or their kids go to school on bikes. Why? Because they’re totally separated from traffic, so they don’t have fatalities.”
DeFazio and Vinis then biked to Falling Sky Brewery, accompanied by staff, U of O students, and others who came to the event. This included a group of environmental activists, who cheered the promotion of cycling and green-friendly infrastructure as ways to help curb climate change.
Congress convenes next week, where it will take on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Rep. DeFazio says he's working to re-introduce environmentally-friendly provisions into the legislation, but notes that some of his colleagues across the aisle are still skeptical about climate change and the need for more eco-friendly transportation.
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