The eighth National Bike Summit concluded on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6 with a rousing call to action from Representatives James Oberstar (D-MN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and with the announcement that Congressional staff themselves will benefit from a pioneering bike-sharing program later this Spring.

Rep. Blumenauer introduced H. Con. Res. 305, supporting the creation of a national bicycling strategy, immediately prior to the Summit with the co-sponsorship of Oberstar. Hundreds of visits with Congressional offices by the record number of Summit participants yielded immediate results with several new cosponsors coming on board, including the influential Rep. John Duncan, (R-TN).

In their Senate visits, Summiteers urged support for Senator Harkin’s (D-IA) newly introduced Complete Streets Act of 2008 (S. 2686), and welcomed Senator John Kerry to the ranks of the Senate Bike Caucus. The caucus also gained new leadership with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-RI) agreeing to co-chair the group with Senator Durbin (D-IL).

One of the loudest cheers of the three-day Summit greeted the announcement of a Capitol Hill bike sharing program by House Chief Administrative Officer Dan Beard. Under the program to be launched “no later than bike week in May,” staff and members will be able to use a fleet of bikes to get between House office buildings, to run errands and get exercise. Beard was recognized by the League of American Bicyclists for his leadership in promoting bicycling as part of his Greening the Capitol initiative.

“We are delighted the Summit exceeded last year’s record attendance figures by almost 100 people, and that for almost half the participants this was their first Summit,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “More than 70 local bicycle dealers, the CEOs of the biggest brand names in bicycling, on- and off-road bicyclists all join together at this unique event to speak up for bicycling.

“We heard a consistent message from the opening speaker, David Jones Jr., chairman of the board of Humana, to the heads of AASHTO and APTA, the Director of the District Department of Transportation Emeka Monomee, and our Congressional champions that this a perfect time for our message to be heard," Clarke continued. "Gas prices are rising again, the effects of climate change are becoming more evident daily, obesity levels continue to rise, and our transportation system is in need of major change.”

Thanks to everyone who attended and supported the National Bike Summit--we can't wait to see you again next year!

Check out bikeportland.org for even more Summit coverage.