Grumpa Joe Pulling Into the Job
In the last two days, I have heard how the government handling of federal highway funds is being squandered on things such as bicycle paths. I agree that we need safe bridges and good roads, but I disagree that we don’t need bike paths.
A bike rider has every right to share the road with drivers. He does carry the same responsibility as a driver and must obey the same laws. A bicycle is considered a vehicle the same as a car. Most drivers do not share this attitude, even though the laws clearly state the right. I know many avid cyclists who use a bicycle as a form of transportation. They ride to work, take trips across states, and tour foreign countries; all on a bike. They use public highways when they ride. I also happen to live near a popular bicycle path called the Old Plank Road Trail. It is twenty miles long and connects six towns. I walk the path regularly. I see hundreds of cyclists using the path daily. They range in age from eight to eighty. They feel safe on a path whereas they would never ride a bike on a busy public road. They get their exercise through the enjoyment of a linear park.
Here is my argument. A bike path will keep bicyclists off public roads where sociopathic drivers love to score points for taking out cyclists. I have several personal experiences that I can share about how much love there is for a bicyclist by a driver. A bicycle path promotes exercise, a much needed activity in this OBESE country. The logic would go this way:
A bike path promotes exercise,
Excercise helps maintain health
Therfore, a bicycle path helps maintain health.
With all the argument about the high cost of health care, why pick on one thing that will help us maintain our health with a nominal investment?
Bike paths are infrastructure that don’t require as much maintenance as a highway. Thus, the money spent goes further than money spent on a federal highway.
Filed under: Conservative, economy, family, Government, liberals, Society, Sports, Uncategorized | Tagged: Bicycle Commuter, Bicycle Path, Bicycle Tourist, Bicycling, excercise, Federal Highway Fund, health, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Law, League of American Bicyclists, League of American Wheelmen, Linear Park, Obesity, Old Plank Road Trail, Safe Roads and Bridges | Leave a comment »
