For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
Allison Vogt, Executive Director
allison@BikeMaine.org
Shoshana Hoose, Communications Coordinator
shoshana@BikeMaine.org
207-623-4511

BCM Co-Sponsors Congressional Candidates Forum on Sustainability

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine was a lead sponsor of a congressional candidates forum on "Sustainability in Maine' that took place on September 28 at the University of Southern Maine. The candidates for the open seat in Maine's first district, Democrat Chellie Pingree and Republican Charlie Summers, answered 18 questions crafted by the co-sponsoring organizations. Irwin Gratz, host of Maine Public Radio's "Morning Edition," hosted the forum.

The forum will be broadcast during October on community television stations in 56 Maine communities. Click here for a list of the stations.

Both candidates pledged to make environmental sustainability a priority if elected. They agreed on a number of issues, such as the need to encourage alternative transportation such as biking and walking and to oppose changes to the Endangered Species Act that were recently proposed by the Bush administration. But the candidates differed in several areas.

Charlie Summers	Chellie Pingree
Photos courtesy Sarah Bigney

For example, Pingree supported a cap and trade program like the one recently adopted in Maine to address global warming while encouraging economic growth. Summers said he opposes such a program because it allows people to "purchase the right to pollute."

Pingree stressed the need to develop alternative energy sources. While Summers also supported that idea, he described himself as a "very strong proponent" of exploring and drilling for oil.

Pingree described herself as an "avid bicyclist." She said she wants to find ways to encourage more commuters biking to work in urban areas and more children biking safely to school. She noted that the federal government now spends most transportation money on highways and bridges, and very little on public transit. She said she wants to increase funding for buses and trains and likes to see buses with bike racks.

Photo courtesy Sarah Bigney

Summers also expressed his support for public transit. He said he used to ride the Downeaster frequently when working in Boston. He said that individuals must take responsibility to bike and walk rather than looking to the government, and that doing so helps the United States become more secure by reducing dependence on foreign oil.

In addition to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, forum co-sponsors included the Conservation Law Foundation, Eastern Trail Alliance, the Environmental Health Strategy Center, Environment Northeast, Friends of Casco Bay/Casco Baykeeper, Maine Audubon, Maine Center for Economic Policy, Maine Council of Churches, Maine People's Alliance, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Northern Forest Alliance, Ocean Conservancy, Physicians for Social Responsibility Maine, Portland Green Streets, Portland Trails, RESTORE: The North Woods, Sierra Club-Maine and the University of Southern Maine. Tugboat Creative provided pro bono graphic services, and the Community Television Network produced the televised program.

For more information, please email info@trails.org.

Formed in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is working to make Maine accessible and safe for all residents and visitors so they may comfortably and responsibly bicycle. The BCM also promotes bicycling for transportation, health, recreation and fun to enhance our communities, environment and economy.

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