At the November 16, 2015, NYS Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee hearing in New York City, Harvey Botzman a NY Bicycling Coalition Director and long time RBC member gave testimony on the role of bicycle tourism to New York State's economy. Harvey was representing the New York Bicycling Coalition (http://www.nybc.net)

For the full text of his testimony email the NY Bicycling Coalition at nybc@nybc.net or Harvey.

Harvey does not read from the prepared text. Instead he points out to important points to the Committee members. Of particular importance to RBC members is Harvey's comments concerning transporting unboxed bicycles on Amtrak's long distance interstate Lake Shore Limited train and on the NYS Dep't. of Transportation funded but Amtrak operated Empire Service, Maple Leaf, and Adirondack trains. Early in 2016, RBC members will be asked to contact Senators Schumer & Gillibrand's offices to ask them to lobby Amtrak to:

1. Have the new (made in NYS) baggage cars with bike racks on the Lake Shore Limited train and available for being booked in Amtrak's reservation system by March 1, 2016.

2. Contacting your NYS Assemblymember and NYS Senator to finance at least one Empire Service (NYC to Niagara Falls) train and the Adirondack train with reconditioned baggage cars for the carriage of unboxed bicycles on bike racks. Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner  is preparing the bill to finance the Empire Service & Adirondack train. You can email her (woernerc@assembly.state.ny.us) and the Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee David F. Gantt (GanttD@assembly.state.ny.us) to tell her and him you support a bill financing baggage cars with bike racks on the intrastate Empire Service & the Adirondack trains.

Here is a link to Harvey's oral presentation before the Assembly Tourism Committee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awqjg13QUeY&feature=youtu.be