Pedal pushers.

• Author: Shinkle, Douglas
• Position: TRENDS & TRANSITIONS - Brief article

As gas prices rise and waistlines expand, a few states are making it easier for state employees and visitors to arrive at state buildings on pedal power alone.

Wisconsin set the pace in 1981 when lawmakers required new bicycle racks near state office buildings, including the Capitol. Now "more people ride their bikes to work," says Larry Corsi of the Wisconsin Bureau of Transportation Safety.

Last year, Vermont lawmakers recommended the state consider bike parking when designing state buildings and required the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition to assess bicycle parking at existing state buildings. The study found a lack of sheltered bicycle parking the greatest concern and recommended the Legislature appropriate money for covered bike racks near the State House. Legislation introduced this year urges quick action on bike parking projects at state buildings and asks for cost estimates.

In New York, lawmakers...