Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bicycling

Obama’s Energy Secretary Reclaims His Bike, for a Day

Energy Secretary Steven Chu was dismayed about having to give up his bike-commuting habit in order to join the Obama Cabinet, but security concerns didn't stop him from participating in Friday's Bike to Work Day in the nation's capital. As the Wall Street Journal reports:

phpThumb_generated_thumbnailjpg.jpgEnergy Secretary Steven Chu (center) with colleagues, before he joined the Cabinet (Photo by grist.org)

The Nobel-winning physicist rides a $5,000 Colnago C40, afirst-generation carbon-fiber bike tested at Ferrari’s labs and riddenby the sport’s top athletes. ... It’s only the second work commute for the secretary since the SecretService apparently doesn’t like him on the capital’s roads. But lastweekend he clocked 47 miles on the Colnago.

Chu also told the Journal that he would support bike-lane expansions in D.C. Between his pedaling habits and the president's, the administration is setting a nice example.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday’s Headlines Turn Back the Clock

The Trump administration is undoing decades of progress on transportation emissions and safety — progress that many would argue was too modest to begin with.

March 14, 2025

Friday Video: Welcome to the War on ‘Woke’ Transportation

Overwhelmed by weeks of federal attacks on green and equitable transportation? Catch up with this explainer and plug in to the fight.

March 14, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: The Annual Yonah Freemark Show, Part II

Yonah Freemark of the Urban Institute is back again for Part II of his annual "Talking Headways" discussion.

March 13, 2025

Commentary: Nitpicks Aside, Ezra Klein is Spot-On About the Importance of High-Speed Rail

A few additional reflections and critiques specific to California's beleaguered high-speed rail project.

March 13, 2025

What if the ‘Tesla Takedown’ Is Only the Beginning?

Tesla's cars have become symbols of Elon Musk's controversial role in U.S. politics — but they're also instruments of a violent system that long predates his time in the White House.

March 13, 2025
See all posts