Letter to the editor: Spending plan top priorities – even more pathways or bike lanes?

Editor:

Appears like our city board is having trouble establishing top priorities for the 2022 spending plan. Possibly we can aid. Instead of broadcasting a shopping list of subjects right here (due to the fact that there are a number of them), I want to recommend we concentrate and also aid them focus on in between 2 details subjects initially. The allocate pathway renovations vs. the allocate bike lanes. (In instance you’re interested, the whole checklist of spending plan choice bundles can be found here)

The present suggested 2022 spending plan has actually $901,780 allocated for brand-new pathways and also $1,562,390 for bike lanes. At the unique city board conference Thursday night, Councilmember Distelhorst suggested assigning added allocate bike lanes.

My informal monitoring recommends that I see even more individuals walking communities, midtown and also the waterside than I do see individuals riding bikes. As well as I do not assume I would certainly obtain a debate that our pathways throughout the city require focus. Pathways are anywhere (or must be). Your area, my area. I tremble when I see mommies running, pressing child infant strollers over several of our irregular pathways. Or kids discovering to ride their bikes on them. Or us old individuals out for our day-to-day stroll. Also Council Head of state Paine regreted after her autumn and also succeeding injuries as an outcome of an inadequate pathway. So why include even more cash to a currently well-funded bike lane task when our demands are in other places?

There is rather a feeling of seriousness behind this as the council has actually enforced an expedited timetable for this year’s spending plan authorization procedure (lengthy tale). Councilmember Distelhorst is anticipated to present his movement to boost the bike lane spending plan at the following council conference. So right here’s my ask. Please supply your remarks listed below on just how you would certainly focus on in between these 2 spending plan line products, pathways or bike lanes. We’ll ahead them onto the Common council before their conferences. As well as if you’re so likely, please send out a fast note to the council straight at [email protected] with your top priorities.

Get the word out. Allow’s aid them aid us.

Jim Ogonowski
Edmonds