In continuing troubling developments for trails and safety, previously approved grants for active transportation and trails were reversed September 9 by the DOT. CityLab reports that “The Trump administration canceled grants for street safety measures, pedestrian trails and bike lanes in communities around the country this month, each time offering a simple rationale for yanking back federal aid: the projects aren’t designed for cars.” and “Still, local officials and transit advocates said they were surprised by the language DOT used in rescinding previously awarded grants, and alarmed that the department seemed to be taking particular aim at programs that were designed to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists in a period of elevated traffic injuries and deaths.” This includes the Safe Streets For All program. the article continues that “The attacks on pedestrian safety and “active transportation networks” are ironic because demand for such infrastructure is growing in Republican and Trump-supporting municipalities, not just liberal cities, said Kevin Mills, vice president of policy at the nonprofit Rails to Trails Conservancy”. Also “Despite rhetoric that associates non-car infrastructure development with liberal politics, “at the local level, there really isn’t that divide,” Mills said in an interview. Florida, he noted, is a red state with “extremely strong” plans to grow its network of mixed-use trails for bikes and pedestrians.” Read the whole article here.
Read more about what Kevin Mills and Rails to Trails Conservancy has to say about it, and the threat to railbanking itself here.
As dim as the future can look however, it always improves upon going out on a ride. This October 6th is the Champion Tree Bike Tour.
If you’re an urban forestry fan, avid cyclist, or just want to get some fresh air and meet cool folks. There’s a bike tour of Lincoln’s “biggest trees” happening on Monday October 6, 5-7pm, starting by the Woods Park Pool. Come out and enjoy two of the things that make Lincoln special, Champion Trees, and Cycling.