Matsui Statement on National Bike Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 1, 2012

CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163

Matsui Statement on National Bike Month
Highlights Need for National Complete Streets Policy

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) issued the following statement today in honor of May as National Bike Month:

Sacramento has an ideal climate and terrain for bicycling, and we know that if more people chose bicycling over driving, we could improve public health, ease congestion, and reduce air pollution. Despite these benefits, cars are still used for 60% of all trips with a distance of a mile or less. In order to encourage more bike trips, we must first ensure that our roads are designed to keep bicyclists safe.

On average, over 200 bicyclists are injured by vehicles every year in Sacramento, and over 50,000 are injured across the nation. That number is too high, and more can and should be done to reduce accidents and save lives.

One of the most critical actions we must take is enacting a National Complete Streets policy. As we celebrate National Bike Month, I call on Congress to pass my legislation, the Safe and Complete Streets Act, which will ensure that streets are designed with all users in mind not just cars.

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