Barack Obama riding with his family last week.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama addressed bicycle advocates and industry leaders at a Chicago fundraiser on Thursday, lending more weight to the pro-bike comments he delivered in Portland, Oregon last month. Industry mag Bicycle Retailer has the scoop:
Barack Obama, in a private 20-minute meeting with members of the BikesBelong board of directors, told them if he were elected president hewould increase funding for cycling and pedestrian projects. And thepresumptive Democratic presidential nominee also said he would supportSafe Routes to Schools programs.
Stan Day, SRAM’s president, said that Obama "gets it." He pointed outthat Obama understands that bicycles can be part of a solution toissues as diverse as health care, obesity, energy and environmentalpolicy. "He does his homework and he can connect the dots," he said.
Obama's Oregon campaign co-chair, Representative Earl Blumenauer, said it was remarkable for a candidate to meet with bike advocates so early in the general election season.
Photo: Associated Press
