Rep. Doris Matsui Receives National Bicycle Leadership Award, Speaks at 2009 National Bike Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 11, 2009

CONTACT: Alexis Marks or Mara Lee
(202) 225-7163
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Rep. Doris Matsui Receives National Bicycle Leadership Award, Speaks at 2009 National Bike Summit
Honored for Dedication to Public Safety and Leadership on Complete Streets Policy

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) was honored today at the National Bike Summit with the 2009 National Bicycle Leadership Award, for her dedication to public safety and her leadership on complete streets policy.

Rep. Matsui has been a national leader on this issue since introducing complete streets legislation in the 110th Congress. Her legislation, an updated version of which will be introduced shortly, ensures that transportation agencies routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for drivers, public transit users and vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists, as well as for older people, children, and people with disabilities.

"We need to ensure that we have safe streets and better access for all the people who use our transportation system," said Congresswoman Matsui. "The Complete Streets Act that I am introducing helps make this vision a national policy by increasing our options for travel. It recognizes that choice is an essential part of what makes our country great.

"By diversifying our roadways, we can provide real alternatives to travel by car. The strength of this legislation is that it recognizes that we face very real challenges today, many of which are interwoven. By opening up our roadways to pedestrians and cyclists, we can help ease the congestion on our nation's roads. In doing so, we will make progress fighting air pollution and global warming.

"Together we can create safer streets, cleaner air, and make a real difference in the lives of our children and grandchildren."

The National Bike Summit is an annual event organized by the League of American Bicyclists, a national non-profit organization. With a current membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists, including 40,000 individuals and 600 affiliated organizations, its mission is to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.

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