Blumenauer Accepts Lifetime Achievement Award from League of American Bicyclists

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus, accepted the inaugural Earl Blumenauer Lifetime Achievement Award from the League of American Bicyclists at the 2024 National Bike Summit. The award is the first of its kind, celebrating Blumenauer's relentless advocacy for bike and pedestrian issues throughout his more than 50 years of public service.

"When we started the Bike Caucus 28 years ago, bike infrastructure was neglected by the federal government. It received a fraction of all spending, if anything at all. Today, we've created a national movement helping communities large and small. I'm delighted to accept this award, but more to the point, it is a symbol of how far we've come on Capitol Hill to promote the most efficient form of transportation ever designed," said Congressman Blumenauer.

"On behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration and USDOT, congratulations to Congressman Blumenauer for this Lifetime Achievement Award and gratitude for his visionary leadership and public service," said USDOT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. "His work has enabled communities in Oregon and across our country to embrace sustainable, equitable and accessible transportation- from cycling, to street cars, to rebuilding and reconnecting communities. No matter what mode of transportation we seek to improve, we look to Earl's legacy as our north star as we strive towards his vision for livable communities where every person can thrive."

"The advances we've made towards an America where everyone can safely experience the joy of biking are a direct result of Representative Earl Blumenauer," said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. "He has been a constant champion of making bicycling safer and more accessible to everyone so that all Americans can enjoy the benefits of biking. He leaves a legacy of bike-partisanship for the entire bike movement to carry on in his name. We can't thank Earl enough for everything he has contributed to the cause."

Ahead of the 2024 Bike Summit, Blumenauer hosted a bike ride with members of the Congressional Bike Caucus. Additionally, Blumenauer sponsored a briefing for congressional staff on how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is delivering on local priorities related to walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School in communities across the country.

In 1996, Blumenauer founded the Congressional Bike Caucus to bring members of Congress together to practice bike-partisanship. The Caucus has secured a $2.25 billion increase in federal funding for biking and walking and created a tax benefit for commuters biking to work.

As a local elected official Blumenauer helped develop Portland's innovative transit system, including building out the city's bike network. This work helped make Portland internationally recognized as one of the world's most livable cities. In 2022, the Portland Bureau of Transportation unveiled the Congressman Earl Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge, a car-free bridge linking two of Portland's fastest growing neighborhoods together.

In October, Blumenauer announced he would not be seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, ending a storied career as Congress' top bike advocate.