Riding to work with Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Blumenauer rides a Trek Portland (of course).
(Photos: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

This story is part of my ongoing coverage of the 2008 National Bike Summit. See the rest of my coverage here.


This morning I joined Representative Earl Blumenauer on a short bike ride from his office on Capitol Hill to the opening session of the 2008 National Bike Summit, where he was the featured speaker.

As a bright, morning-after-the-storm sun shone brightly on our backs, Blumenauer and I rolled down the Hill, past the Capitol Building and onto a rain-slicked Pennsylvania Avenue.

Blumenauer, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Budget Committee and Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and the founder of the 170+ member strong Congressional Bike Caucus, is one of bicycling’s greatest allies in Congress.

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We chatted comfortably, taking the entire right lane, and it was obvious that Blumenauer is a confident cyclist (at one point, a taxi cab veered across our lane to turn right and he didn’t even seem to notice). We traded stories of how on one hand, bicycling is on the verge of vast opportunity in Congress, and yet on the other hand, we still have a long road ahead before we get our fair share of funding.

After I told him about Oregon Senator Betsy Johnson’s unfortunate remarks about funding for bike facilities on the new I-5 bridge project, Blumenauer said we can’t let partisan politicians play politics with bicycle funding.

To help convince lawmakers of biking’s appeal, Blumenauer re-iterated what he said in Portland back in January — that we’ve got to build a “million people on bikes” type of movement in order to fully realize our potential on the national political landscape (and I’m happy to report that such an effort is well underway…stay tuned for more).

As we reached our destination, I half-expected Blumenauer to roll up to a secret door that led to his own private bike parking. Instead, he whipped out his U-lock, lifted the front wheel of his Trek Portland over a (nearly full) rack outside the building, and locked up his bike.

Our ride lasted just a few minutes, but getting a bit of one-on-one saddle time with such a key player on transportation politics — and nothing short of a hero to bike advocates nationwide — was a memorable treat.

[jonathan_byline]

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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BURR
BURR
16 years ago

I lke Earl\’s helmet, do you happen to know what kind it is?

🙂

Paolo
Paolo
16 years ago

I saw that too, it looks like a military one, maybe is a special Senate issued one.

Scott the other one...
16 years ago

I was just glad to see that he is riding his Trek \”Portland\”

Donald
Donald
16 years ago

That rocks! Go Earl!

Thanks for the coverage, J.

Moo
Moo
16 years ago

I wonder- bike riding wise, how many other supporters on the hill are avid bike commuters. I would have said… how many practice what they preach, but that would take us too far off subject. So glad he\’s an Oregonian!

Spencer
Spencer
16 years ago

Didn\’t Earl offically get the First Trek Portland at the Bike Gallery kick off a year or two back. I thought he donated it to charity. Is this the same one?

Scott the other one...
16 years ago

search the archives here… you may be correct, but my recollection was that he purchased one for his own use as well.

Austin Ramsland
16 years ago

I think it would be really cool if his next bike was local. . . .

Scott Mizée
16 years ago

Blumenauer 2 by locally made bike? yeah…. I agree… I wonder if anyone has suggested that to his office. Seems to make complete sense!

Laura
Laura
16 years ago

Great idea, Austin, but would Sweetpea build him one?

Put me on the wait-list for a Ryan/SweetPea/Pereia/Ahearne/etc
\”Blumenauer\” commuter bike!!!

Austin Ramsland
16 years ago

Hi Laura,

I just got out of an emergency Sweetpea board meeting to discuss the issue; and yes, we would be proud to build Earl a bike if he wanted one.

ChipSeal
ChipSeal
16 years ago

I\’m from Texas, and I\’m glad congressman Blumenauer is from Oregon too!

Kidding!

Scott Mizée
16 years ago

Blumenaur/Sweetpea || Austin—Have you contacted Blumenauer\’s office regarding this yet? Seem\’s like it would be a nice story to scoop while Jonathan and the gang are still in D.C.

Scott Mizée
http://npgreenway.blogspot.com