WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed passed H.R. 4665, the Outdoor REC (Recreation's Economic Contributions) Act, which would require the Departments of Commerce and Labor to provide statistics on how outdoor recreation contributes to the nation's economy.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
"We believe it is time for the bike industry's economic statistics to be measured in the same way as other sectors such as the automobile, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries," said PeopleForBikes. "Measuring the economic benefits of bicycling will demonstrate that investment in bike infrastructure leads to economic development, jobs and healthier communities. Ultimately the data will lead to more and better places for bikes."
PeopleForBikes' D.C. staff held countless meetings with committee members in support of the bill and lobbied Congress during industry fly-ins. The organization said it was optimistic that the bill will pass the Senate and be signed by the President by the end of the year.
More information: congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4665.
