Political Quotes

“I came to Congress dedicated to making the Federal Government a better partner in helping our communities to be livable, for our families to be safe, healthy and economically secure. One important way of advancing that mission is through the intelligent use of the bicycle. As a person who cares about cycling and the world environment and energy supply, it was, to say the very least, unnerving to read the story about cycling in China in Monday's Washington Post. China is a huge country with an old and venerated tradition that is having trouble modernizing. It has experienced a century-long love affair with the bicycle since it was first introduced to China by American missionaries. They have more bicycles in China than any place in the world, but it is ironic that this country is seeking to ban bicycles in some areas. It is especially ironic to ban them from the central cities where they can have the greatest impact. The bicycle is the most efficient means of transportation that has ever been devised. Unlike the horse or automobile, there is no pollution generated from cycling. It leaves the cyclist healthier, and the cyclist takes up a fraction of the roadway. As somebody who brought a bicycle to Washington, D.C. instead of a car when I was elected 5 years ago, I can testify that for the vast majority of my meetings around Washington, D.C., I will beat my colleagues who take cabs or their cars.…”