§16103 Conserve by Bicycling Program

Summary

Creates a Conserve by Bicycling Program inside the Department of Transportation. The Secretary of Transportation must run up to 10 pilot projects across the United States that save energy by getting people to ride bikes instead of drive. Each pilot must use education and marketing, track results and estimated energy saved, form partnerships in at least two areas (for example transportation, law enforcement, education, public health, environment, or energy), boost bike facility investments, show methods other places can use, and help local efforts keep going. At least 20% of each pilot’s money must come from non‑Federal sources. Within 2 years after August 8, 2005, the Secretary must hire the National Academy of Sciences to study how practical it is to replace car trips with bike trips. The study must report on the pilots, identify what kinds and lengths of trips can be biked (considering weather, land use, traffic, bike carrying limits, and infrastructure), estimate energy savings, do a cost‑benefit of bike infrastructure, and list factors that would increase bike trips. Congress authorized $6,200,000 total: $5,150,000 for pilots, $300,000 for program coordination and publicity, and $750,000 for the study.