It isn't fair to say the city has done "not much" on bicycle trail issues. It may not be enough, but here are a few things I know about . . . .
The new Phalen Boulevard include bike separate bike lanes along its entire length. This ties existing trails together The Gateway, The Munger, and The Vento. The city is also pursuing state funds for trail improvements at Furness Parkway and Marydale Park. Also, the large effort to connect the trails thru the Vento Nature Sanctuary to downtown and the river continues to be pursued. New Shepard Road, too. This years CIB (Capital Improvement) Budget funds a number of pro-bicycle proposals. Of course more ideas - of all sorts - were proposed than adopted. Some will likely be viewed as more recreational than commuter, some, of course will be both. These include Como Bike Lanes totaling over 1.2 million dollars. More for the completion of Phalen Boulevard. Something called "Bicycle Route Connection" (18,000 only). This might be the missing piece of the trail in the Lilydale area. Nothing this session for new "Bike Facilities", however. The complete list of Capital projects (parks, libraries, streets, housing redevelopment) is available for download at: http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/depts/ofs/cib/2004budget/index.html These are the projects that are initiated by neighborhood groups and city departments, then are reviewed by a citizen task forces, the appointed "CIB" committee, the mayor and the City Council. Quite a long, intensive process. I don't know too much about all the things the city is doing on bicycle issues, but it is more than he city has done before. Rich Kramer Eastside _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
