Budget panel cuts $5 million for bike/pedestrian projects

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on May 4, 2011

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"

OH MY GOD WHAT WILL WE DO. When you're broke you cut luxury items out of your budget. I believe this falls under this category as do quite a few other itmes. Why would the goverments budget run any different than your budget at home. When money's tight you don't go on vacation (well, most Americans do but that's because we're stupid) you tighten things up until your situation improves. This isn't even about politics, this is about common sense.
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BraunasaurasRex May 04, 2011 12:28 PM
I remember having to have a bicycle license on my bike when i was a kid. How about we have the people that use them, pay for them. Reinstate bicycle licenses.
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whiteboard May 04, 2011 12:31 PM
"When you're broke you cut luxury items out of your budget."

What about Walker's $1600/month rental car?
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chuckiehackson20 May 04, 2011 12:32 PM
You'd rather pay mileage at .75 cents per mile?
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BraunasaurasRex May 04, 2011 12:34 PM
wigwam-you hit the nail on the head. $20 million for "I-41", another $4-$5 million to implement voter ID, among other completely unecessary Walker initiatives. Also funny how Walker despised use of federal funding for projects, but suddenly seems to want to rely on it more and more to justify not using state $$. LOL!

Anyone else see what's going on here?....build more roads, no trains/rapid transit, eliminate requirement that energy companies use some of their profit on efficiency and alternative energy initiatives, destroy wind energy projects, eliminate state bike-ped funding.

Bottom line....keep us sucking gas, clogging roads, polluting the air and falling further and further behind other states in transportation improvement..it's all good cuz' big business continues to make millions.
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JsMom46 May 04, 2011 12:35 PM
hey gary53177....then you agree that US 41 should be turned into a Toll Road....as you said let the people that use it pay for them...
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BTW55 May 04, 2011 12:36 PM
I like to bike and enjoy the trails. I just realize there is only so much cash to go around and we will have to make due. It's either that or raise taxes, and as far as I'm concerned, that is simply not an option.

How about a fund raiser for trails, etc if the people who are so unhappy about a cut in funding think more money is needed? Not into that unless it's free? Just asking...
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puzzled May 04, 2011 12:37 PM
You know as kids we didn't need trails and paths but today's kids do. I think it's time for a much closer look at all of the special needs and projects. If you as a bike rider want paths, you should pay for them. I do when I use a state park. We pay fees for parking, for using hiking, skiing and horse back riding. Why shouldn't those who ride their bikes? Or does fairness only count when it's money coming out of the taxpayer's pockets to fund liberal causes?
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jimtherepublican May 04, 2011 12:38 PM
"How is anyone going to make money off of bicyclists?"

Recreational cycling in Wisconsin annually generates $1.5 billion in economic activity.

Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_526f2c44-0fb0-11df-8c95-001cc4c002e0.html
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trueblue82 May 04, 2011 12:42 PM
marquette:
It may only be .01%, but all those .01%'s add up. Where are you planning on getting that money from? Where do we cut spending? Are you willing to pay for this 'cause you're not getting it from me.
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puzzled May 04, 2011 12:43 PM
jorgegw-yep, and take your life in your own hands while running. The number of vehicles on the road and increased congestion make riding, running and walking incredibly dangerous and difficult. Not to mention the morons who have no clue about right-of-way. I walk approximately 8 blks to work every morning. This week, I have almost been struck by vehicles while in the cross walk with the cross signal. I am also an avid cyclist and ride with a group in the Fox Valley area. Last year alone, at least five members of our group were struck by vehicles that were not obeying traffic and safe passing zone laws. People roll through stop signs, make turns in front of you, etc. The whole concept of the bike-ped plan is to properly separate and provide safe space for all modes of transportation. It encourages use of non-motorized transportation, something we really need to do given fuel prices and the economy.
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JsMom46 May 04, 2011 12:43 PM
@JSMom46, well put. @Jimtherepublican, spoken like the mouth-breathing, climate-change-denying, foil-hat-wearing racist birther ideologue you and your ilk have become (or have allowed to dominate the dialog of your formerly viable party). "Liberal causes?" What a riot. What about "lunatic causes" that do nothing but ensure the unworkable, unsustainable, backwards-looking status quo? This administration's hypocritical guile and its propensity to legislate via political payback simply know no bounds. So I expect nothing less than rewards for the oil companies, Payne & Dolan and anything stinking of Koch. Disgusting.
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O2BAlert May 04, 2011 12:47 PM
BraunasaurasRex-"When you're broke you cut luxury items out of your budget. I believe this falls under this category as do quite a few other itmes."
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Hmmm, let's see what "luxury items" we can cut given your analogy. Let's start with the Governor's mansion. Why should we taxpayers pay for a house, utilities, maintenance, service staff, etc. How about a smaller, more efficient house? How about the car that's leased for the governor? Seriously, $1,500/month? What the heck is he driving? How about attendance at the Super Bowl for which the taxpayers got stuck with the costs of his "security" detail. Seems to me, these arer "luxury items" that should be cut by our illustrious governor in these tough times.
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JsMom46 May 04, 2011 12:53 PM