Budget panel cuts $5 million for bike/pedestrian projects
Backing Gov. Scott Walker, the Republican majority on the Joint Finance Committee has voted to eliminate $5 million in state support for bicycle and pedestrian paths from the 2011-'13 transportation budget.
Based on the vote 12-4 vote on Tuesday, state support for transportation enhancements from gas tax and related revenue appears to be short-lived, lasting only one budget, 2009-'11.
According to the Department of Administration, money is limited in the $6.4 billion transportation budget, and the elimination of the spending for improvements to bike paths and pedestrian amenities reduces the overall spending.
Most of the money the state spends on improvements for non-motorized transportation comes from federal funds.
The governor's budget projects that the feds will provide nearly $18 million through the transportation enhancements and bike and pedestrian programs over the next two fiscal years. Another $23 million will be available in congestion mitigation grants, which may be used for bike projects.
Kevin Hardman, executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, said the action by the Joint Finance Committee cuts a valuable investment.
The state money helps municipalities design biking and pedestrian networks, and to make them more usable.
“What suffers when we don’t make those investments is our economic development, and connecting tourist aspects, for communities up north,” he said. “It compromises our health.
“Bicycling is a choice people make to get around and burn calories. What it compromises is our own competitiveness in attracting people to our state, for tourism and a work force.”
Convincing legislators to reinstate the state dollars for bike and pedestrian projects remains the No. 1 lobbying priority for the Bike Fed, according to Hardman.
“What I am being reminded of is that the perception still exists that bicycling is somehow outside of our transportation system or a nice thing to have,” Hardman said. “We’re working aggressively to change that perception. Bikes are legal vehicles on our roadway and should be accommodated in our transportation system.”
Oak Leaf to Interurban: Federal grant dollars have been used to make improvements to the Oak Leaf and Interurban trails in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties. In his Over the Bars in Milwaukee blog, Dave Schlabowske covers plans to link the two paths with an off-road connection.
162 Comments for "Budget panel cuts $5 million for bike/pedestrian projects"
schnealy May 04, 2011 5:42 PM
1.) "We already have bike paths their called sidewalks" (grammatical error intentionally left in) - check the law. It states bicycles are vehicles and are required to be on the road.
2.) Cyclists don't pay taxes on the roads they use and shouldn't be allowed on them - true, but bicycles don't damage the road and require the tax-paid-for upkeep.
3.) ann REALLY's rant about the cyclist on Blue Mound - to which I ask, without funding from the state how are these bike lanes supposed to be built?
If ingnorance is bliss - there are three very happy people making posts.
umgopher1 May 04, 2011 5:50 PM
subsidized by ALL taxpayers. At $1.3 (or is it $1.5) billion dollars A
YEAR, of which 40% (approx. $650 million) is paid through property
taxes. So if you don't (can't) drive, too bad, right? Oh, and everyone
still pays shipping and fuel costs for deliveries. Aside from how you feel
about biking, it's an alternative form of transporation and deserves state
support.
It's short-sighted to pool all your money into one form of transportation,
unless, of course, that's what your lobbyist have paid for.
only one apple left May 04, 2011 5:53 PM
manufacturers in this state as well as bicycle dealers, repair shops, races
and tourism.
Bicycling is also an essential form of transportation for Wisconsin.
Bicyclists do contribute to the cost of transportation in many ways,
nowhere near as significant as cars, but then their cost to the state is
nowhere near as significant as cars. In fact, they save the state money
in reduced congestion and wear and tear on infrastructure.
As for enforcing traffic laws against bicyclists, it seems that is done fairly
well already. Bicyclists may (and I emphasize "may") roll a few more stops
than cars but I'll take that over the cars exceeding the speed limit any
day.
As for licenses, they are still out there, all of my bicycles are licensed. It's
the only way to get them back if they are stolen.
I am 50 years old and have been commuting by bicycle whenever
possible, ever since I was in the first grade.
Kindpete May 04, 2011 5:53 PM
I choose to ride my bicycle as often as possible because the cost per mile is significantly lower.
I do not need, nor do I prefer bike paths/trails. Give me a safe lane on common roadways, and I'll be quite happy.
I would like to see law enforcement enforcing the rules of the road, period. That includes bicyclists running red lights and stop signs, as well as drivers that are speeding and/or tailgating.
Nobody said Governor Walker was intelligent, it just happens that he was a better option for governor than Tom Barrett.
As for those of you that are worried about me wearing headphones while bicycling, I can hear you as you pull up behind me; I do not need to hear the words that are coming out of your mouth to know that you really have no idea what the laws are.
greggs May 04, 2011 5:57 PM
activity illegal. Just look at the guy!
toonces May 04, 2011 6:09 PM
FrostyWI May 04, 2011 6:09 PM
Marcusman May 04, 2011 6:11 PM
livinginreality May 04, 2011 6:12 PM
hometowner May 04, 2011 6:13 PM
umgopher1 May 04, 2011 6:15 PM
The idea.
---------------
If a traffic jam is required to expand a road, why are we expanding I94 from the airport to the state line?
DrewH May 04, 2011 6:21 PM
schnealy May 04, 2011 6:30 PM