With the primaries under way for this year’s presidential election, I’m hoping to hear some “pro-bike” sentiment from the candidates. We need all the help we can get…
Just read the following statement from Congressman Patrick McHenry from North Carolina.
From StreetsBlog, here is a quote from the aforementioned McHenry:
“A major component of the Democrats’ energy legislation and the Democrats’ answer to our energy crisis is, hold on, wait one minute, wait one minute, it is promoting the use of the bicycle.
Oh, I cannot make this stuff up. Yes, the American people have heard this. Their answer to our fuel crisis, the crisis at the pumps, is: Ride a bike.
Democrats believe that using taxpayer funds in this bill to the tune of $1 million a year should be devoted to the principle of: “Save energy, ride a bike.” Some might argue that depending on bicycles to solve our energy crisis is naive, perhaps ridiculous. Some might even say Congress should use this energy legislation to create new energy, bring new nuclear power plants on line, use clean coal technology, energy exploration, but no, no. They want to tell the American people, stop driving, ride a bike. This is absolutely amazing.
Apparently, the Democrats believe that the miracle on two wheels that we know as a bicycle will end our dependence on foreign oil. I cannot make this stuff up. It is absolutely amazing.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the Democrats, promoting 19th century solutions to 21st century problems. If you don’t like it, ride a bike. If you don’t like the price at the pumps, ride a bike.
Stay tuned for the next big idea for the Democrats: Improving energy efficiency by the horse and buggy.”
That’s right off the Congressional Record. Is he serious?!
In response I say: Bicycles are a 19th century solution to a 19th century problem. And that problem is the automobile.
[Thanks to BikeCommuters and Prolly for bringing this to my attention.]
Photo credit: Patrick McHenry Website
Posted January 21, 2008 
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