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"
I find it curious that "the state is broke" argument is used all the time when one does not personally value a certain government expenditure, but when it's what they want it's spend, spend, spend.
Even in the 60s when the car culture was king and mostly children rode bicycles, Milwaukee County had a world class park system, and could afford mass transit. Now with gas at over $4 per gallon lets build more roads and screw the rest.
I wonder if those that choose their cars, have ever thought that bike trails and mass transit might just benefit them by taking others off "their" roads by making it safer and less congested ?
youredreamin May 04, 2011 3:18 PM
May 04, 2011 3:29 PM
Overtaxed1950 May 04, 2011 3:37 PM
You have no way of knowing how much my lifestyle costs compared to yours. That's a fact.
Furthermore, suggesting that a lower-cost lifestyle is a "better" one is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.
By your definition maybe, but thankfully you don't get to decide that for anyone but yourself.
In any event, perhaps your argument is better spent on Albert Gore, who lives in a suburban compound that sucks enough power every day to light a small city.
Maybe tell HIM to move to the city. Maybe whine about how much oil HE uses, jetting all over the world in his personal Gulfstream trying to pad his already-bloated bank account (thanks largely to people like you).
You're wasting your time with me because I could not possibly care less what you or anyone else thinks of my "lifestyle".
But....you did get me thinking, and I'm thinking it's really nice outside so maybe I'll go waste a few gallons of gas on the motorcycle this afternoon. There's nowhere I really need to go, but for some reason I just got a hankerin' to burn a few gallons, just because I can.
Strange.
BigJim May 04, 2011 3:38 PM
Timbee May 04, 2011 3:40 PM
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Only if they don't care about sounding like a clueless idiot.
BigJim May 04, 2011 3:43 PM
samawry May 04, 2011 3:43 PM
bicycle heritage. Its living bike culture is strong and growing. However, I feel many
talented people will chose to live elsewhere because of the current reactionary
political environment.
$5 million in bike paths can produce great tourism revenues.
Michael J Horne May 04, 2011 3:45 PM
BTW55 May 04, 2011 3:48 PM
gkar May 04, 2011 4:02 PM
samawry May 04, 2011 4:05 PM