[House Report 109-570]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress Rept. 109-570
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session Part 1
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SUPPORTING NATIONAL BIKE MONTH
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July 17, 2006.--Ordered to be printed
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Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Con. Res. 145]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 145)
expressing the sense of Congress in support of a national bike
month and in appreciation of cyclists and others for promoting
bicycle safety and the benefits of cycling, having considered
the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and
recommend that the concurrent resolution be agreed to.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Con. Res. 145 expresses the sense of Congress in support
of the month of May being celebrated as National Bike Month.
The resolution also expresses appreciation for cyclists and
those that promote cycling and bicycle safety.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION
Approximately 100 million United States citizens of all
ages cycle each year including 57 million adult cyclists and
about 5 million adults who commute to work by bicycle. Cycling
is a safe, low-impact, aerobic activity for all ages that is
environmentally friendly. The United States officially
recognizes May 20th as Bike to Work Day and since 1956 the
League of American Bicyclists and the majority of the
international cycling community have celebrated the month of
May as National Bike Month.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
The official title of the resolution as introduced is:
``Expressing the sense of Congress in support of a national
bike month and in appreciation of cyclists and others for
promoting bicycle safety and the benefits of cycling.''
H. Con. Res. 145 recognizes the month of May as National
Bike Month. May has officially been celebrated as National Bike
Month by the cycling community since 1956 in order to educate
Americans about bike safety and the benefits of cycling. It is
the sense of Congress that Americans should observe a national
bike month to promote bike safety, and the health,
transportation, recreational, and environmental benefits
derived from cycling.
House Concurrent Resolution 145 provides an opportunity to
salute the more than 57 million cyclists and the national and
community-based volunteers and professionals associated with
cycling for promoting bicycle safety and the benefits of
cycling. This transportation choice is environmentally friendly
and allows cyclists to incorporate exercise into their everyday
lives.
National Bike Month has inspired countless bike rides,
safety inspections, commuter challenges, ribbon cuttings,
``share the road'' promotions, and other varied celebrations of
bicycling in communities throughout the nation. National Bike
Month recognizes the significant impact bicycling has had on
our nation's transportation system, and promotes the limitless
benefits of cycling.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
Congressman Blumenauer introduced this resolution on May 5,
2005 for himself, Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Petri, Mr. Shimkus, Mr.
Johnson of Illinois and Mr. Hobson. The resolution was referred
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines. The resolution
was also referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
On May 18, 2005 the resolution was considered at a
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee mark-up session and
was ordered favorably reported by voice vote.
ROLLCALL VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires each committee report to include the
total number of votes cast for and against on each rollcall
vote on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for
and against. There were no rollcall votes on this resolution.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Con. Res.
145 is a sense of the Congress resolution and therefore does
not have the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated
with this legislation for fiscal year 2005, nor for any fiscal
year thereafter.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law is required.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and
objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no cost estimate nor comparison for any
measure that authorizes funding is required.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or joint
resolution of a public character shall include a statement
citing the specific powers granted to the Congress in the
Constitution to enact the measure. The Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure finds that Congress has the
authority to enact this measure pursuant to its powers granted
under article I, section 8 of the Constitution.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Resolution contains no federal mandates.
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Con. Res. 145 does
not preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. (Public Law
104-1.)
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Con. Res. 145 makes no changes in existing law.