Congressman McHenry's 'Antiquated' View of Cycling
Last Saturday the House of Representatives passed Energy Independence legislation that amends a section of the IRS code to include “bicycles” in the definition of transportation covered by the qualified transportation fringe benefit.
Introduced earlier this year by Congressman Earl Blumenauer as H.R. 1498, the provision calls for a $20 monthly benefit for riding a bike to work. North Carolina's Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry, however, slammed the bill. DeFeet is a North Carolina company, supplying jobs and manufacturing in Mr. McHenry's own State. We could not disagree with him more on this issue. He's so proud of his slam, he posted it on his website.
It is unfortunate that views like McHenry's still exist. Indeed, the bicycle with foot pedals was invented in the 1830's to 1840's. That is the premise for his 'slam'. The car, which is apparently Mr. McHenry's answer to oil prices, was invented in 1887. The jury is still out on it's superiority as a mode of transport.
McHenry motions that $20 a month is too much to grant to those who bicycle to work. DeFeet founder Shane Cooper has realized $600 per year in savings, not to mention much greater fitness and personal wellbeing commuting by bicycle to DeFeet. Statistics out this week say that 1 out of every 3 American adults are obese. Does carpooling, vanpooling, or Public transportation help that? What are the costs to our Nation for having an increasingly unhealthy population? Do the math on that one, McHenry.
Is there a reason bicycle commuters should not receive just a fraction of the benefits available to those who carpool? Having only one person commuting by bike means McHenry's car is 30 feet closer to each stoplight on his commute. That, on it's own, is not a small thing. McHenry would be well advised to ride something other than chairs and sofas. He seems a little uptight. Like something is bunched up. The innovation of the bicycle was only the beginning. The bicycle could very well become the car of the future for much of our population. When McHenry has to throw a few pedal strokes in, every mile or so, to keep up his 55mph speed in his four wheeled 'carbike' 25 years from now, he'll probably still have disdain for the bicycle.
Little will he know he's driving one.
Leave it to politicians to turn every subject into a Republican vs. Democratic duel. This is a National issue, pure and simple. Less car traffic, less polution, and a healthier population is good for everyone.
Introduced earlier this year by Congressman Earl Blumenauer as H.R. 1498, the provision calls for a $20 monthly benefit for riding a bike to work. North Carolina's Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry, however, slammed the bill. DeFeet is a North Carolina company, supplying jobs and manufacturing in Mr. McHenry's own State. We could not disagree with him more on this issue. He's so proud of his slam, he posted it on his website.
It is unfortunate that views like McHenry's still exist. Indeed, the bicycle with foot pedals was invented in the 1830's to 1840's. That is the premise for his 'slam'. The car, which is apparently Mr. McHenry's answer to oil prices, was invented in 1887. The jury is still out on it's superiority as a mode of transport.
McHenry motions that $20 a month is too much to grant to those who bicycle to work. DeFeet founder Shane Cooper has realized $600 per year in savings, not to mention much greater fitness and personal wellbeing commuting by bicycle to DeFeet. Statistics out this week say that 1 out of every 3 American adults are obese. Does carpooling, vanpooling, or Public transportation help that? What are the costs to our Nation for having an increasingly unhealthy population? Do the math on that one, McHenry.
Is there a reason bicycle commuters should not receive just a fraction of the benefits available to those who carpool? Having only one person commuting by bike means McHenry's car is 30 feet closer to each stoplight on his commute. That, on it's own, is not a small thing. McHenry would be well advised to ride something other than chairs and sofas. He seems a little uptight. Like something is bunched up. The innovation of the bicycle was only the beginning. The bicycle could very well become the car of the future for much of our population. When McHenry has to throw a few pedal strokes in, every mile or so, to keep up his 55mph speed in his four wheeled 'carbike' 25 years from now, he'll probably still have disdain for the bicycle.
Little will he know he's driving one.
Leave it to politicians to turn every subject into a Republican vs. Democratic duel. This is a National issue, pure and simple. Less car traffic, less polution, and a healthier population is good for everyone.
posted by Paul Willerton at
12:28 PM
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