| To the Editor: What's not to like about a bike path? |
| Written by Penny Evans-Meyer |
| Thursday, 05 July 2012 11:41 |
|
I was surprised to read the negative response to the proposed bike trail linking the community center to the high school. What’s not to like about a bike path? Do bikes pollute? No, they have no exhaust. Do bikes make noise? No, there is no motor. Do bikers drink, litter or play loud music while biking? Generally not, bikers are busy pedaling to get to their destination. Here are some other statistics: (bikesbelong.org) • Most of our car trips are short, 50 percent are less than 3 miles. Biking Is Ideal for Short Trips. • Drivers purchase 15 billion dollars worth of gas each year and waste 4.8 billion hours sitting in traffic congestion. Biking Saves Money. • Homes are valued up to 10 percent higher if there are near a bike path. Bike Paths Are Highly Regarded. • Biking can help you live longer. Individuals that bike have better weight, blood pressure and insulin levels. Bikers Stay Healthy. • The bike industry supports 1.1 million jobs, sells 14.9 million bikes and generates $1.8 billion in taxes each year. Biking Boosts the Economy. • The average household spends $8,758 per year to own and operate a car or more than they spend on food. Biking Helps Family Budgets. What’s not to like about a bike path? If we want our town to thrive, we should do everything we can to promote biking. If you don’t bike, it may be time to try it, you will save money, feel better and enjoy the ride. Penny Evans-Meyer Bowling Green |
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Comments
Biking does have wonderful health benefits, and as well is an easy way (and as you note cheaper) method of short distance travel.
I just feel the need to point out that while the Slippery Elm Trail does use rangers, this trail from the Community Center to the High School is a City project through Parks & Recreation, which does not employ rangers. The grant is coming from Wood County Parks but they will not be "patrolling" it, on foot, bike, or "taxpayer supplied" vehicles.
What a great use of the bike path allowing people to ride to Rec to enjoy Americas original active participation sport. Shooting.
Shooting sports are a great confidence builder and what a better use of all the open space around the Rec than to install an outdoor shooting range.
I am glad our Parks department had such vision to build in such an open space so BG can be a leader in public Recreation.
Upkeep of roads is enormous. Should bikers be exempt from those expenses Ms. Self Employed?
Do try to join us in the real world!
OH wait, there is a public STREET out front! (Unless you live in a gated fortress.)
If you really loved your community, you would be less apathetic about strangers and less disparaging about public 'problems.'
What problem do you have with the public riding their bikes past your house? "Potential" problems? Give us a break. You will have that in ANY PLACE in the world!
Second, public streets are hardly gathering places where people can hang out.
Third, I've asked you politely not to be harsh. I'm simply trying to dialogue and debate with respect. That's what these forums are for. You're preaching love of community, yet you're hardly being my "neighbor." Your words like "join us in the real world" and "Give us a break" aren't very friendly. That said, I'm out.
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