THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY KESSLER, MILLER, ADOLPH, BARRAR, BEAR, BEYER, BOBACK, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DELOZIER, DePASQUALE, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GEIST, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GROVE, GRUCELA, HARHART, HARKINS, HELM, HESS, HICKERNELL, HORNAMAN, HUTCHINSON, JOSEPHS, KILLION, KORTZ, KULA, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANDERINO, MARKOSEK, MARSICO, McCALL, MELIO, MILLARD, MOUL, MURT, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, PALLONE, PAYNE, PAYTON, QUINN, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SEIP, SIPTROTH, SONNEY, STURLA, SWANGER, TRUE, VULAKOVICH, WALKO, WANSACZ, WHITE AND YOUNGBLOOD, APRIL 30, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, APRIL 30, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Designating May 2009 as "Bike Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The bicycle has been an important part of American

life for more than a century, providing relaxing and enjoyable,

environmentally friendly and economical transportation for the

whole family; and

WHEREAS, Riding a bicycle is an excellent form of exercise

that improves mental and physical health and is part of a

healthy lifestyle for men, women and children to travel between

home, school and work; and

WHEREAS, Cycling is a clean form of transportation that, as

an alternative to motor vehicle use, conserves fossil fuels,

reduces air pollution created from vehicular fumes and reduces

the noise and congestion commonly associated with motor vehicle

traffic; and

WHEREAS, Considering that bicycle riders and motor vehicle

operators share many of the same roads, it is important to

ensure everyone's safety and comfort by educating cyclists and

motorists regarding the proper and safe operation of bicycles;

and

WHEREAS, For the month of May 2009, the League of American

Bicyclists and bicycle enthusiasts nationwide are actively

promoting greater public awareness of bicycle operation and

safety education in an effort to reduce accidents, injuries and

fatalities; and

WHEREAS, During this month, a great multitude of

Pennsylvanians will enjoy participating in commuting events,

charity rides, educational programs and helmet promotions, as

they experience the joys of bicycling and boost community

spirit; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth seeks to promote energy-efficient

and green-friendly technologies to enhance and sustain

Pennsylvanians' quality of life and to make its communities more

livable, and bicycling is an integral element in these plans;

and

WHEREAS, The Department of Transportation, through its

Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, seeks to double the percentage of

trips by foot and bicycle by the year 2015 and to reduce the

number of fatalities among bicyclists and pedestrians to a level

corresponding to the national highway motor vehicle fatality

rate reduction goal; and

WHEREAS, There are many bicycling opportunities in this

beautiful Commonwealth, including opportunities for

transportation, exercise and recreation at area attractions,

parks and historic sites; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May

2009 as "Bike Month" in Pennsylvania by celebrating the joys and

benefits of bicycling in all of its forms; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all

Pennsylvanians to participate in the events planned during "Bike

Month" and to take full advantage of the health, transportation

and recreational benefits of bicycling throughout each year.