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

‘We’re Not Copenhagen’ Is No Excuse Not to Build a Great Biking And Walking City

A team of researchers identified eight under-the-radar cities leading the local active transportation revolution — and a menu of strategies that other communities can and should steal.

June 30, 2025

Monday’s Headlines, Ranked

New reports rank the best cities for biking and the best complete streets policies. Plus, the robotaxi wars have begun.

June 30, 2025

Washington State Is About To Have the First Pro-‘Woonerf’ Law in America

Washington state is making it legal for cities to have people-centered streets in a first-in-the-nation law.

June 30, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Are Doomed

Philadelphia transit is falling off the fiscal cliff, with other major cities not far behind. And the effects of service cuts on their economies could be brutal.

June 27, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Why We Need ‘Universal Basic Mobility’

In a very special podcast, we’re joined by the great Madeline Brozen of UCLA to talk about how guaranteed transit lowers people's stress.

June 26, 2025
See all posts