12/28/2006 Updated 01/03/2007 11:06:56 PM CST
Southeast Texas has a lot going for it, but bicycle routes are not one of our strong points. In fact, they're almost nonexistent. That should change. Biking is good for health, families and the environment. City planners should be thinking more about how to encourage bike-riding with new road construction and repairs.
The Southeast Texas Hike and Bike Coalition is trying to raise public awareness about this need. Coalition president Bill Rawlinson wants to start with basic goals, like a bike trail that connects north and south Beaumont. In Port Arthur, a contract for a 1.85-mile hike-and-bike trail in the middle of Thomas Boulevard could be let in January if bids come in under the city's budget of $425,000. When Texas 105 was resurfaced from Beaumont to Sour Lake, a bike lane was included. Cyclists want to establish a trail linking Beaumont and High Island. A seven-mile trail is being considered between Kountze and Woodville. Taxpayers should let their elected officials know that they support these projects. Some of these plans aren't costly. Southeast Texas could be a lot more inviting to bikers with basic changes such as wider and smoother shoulders alongside some roads, paint stripes to separate vehicles and bikes, and signs that mark bike trails and remind motorists to be watchful. Bicycle routes are a quality-of-life issue that make communities more appealing to new residents and businesses. By itself, a park or a library or a bike trail isn't that significant. Together, they matter. Bicycle routes should be considered in all road and neighborhood plans. Updated 01/03/2007 11:06:56 PM CST The Beaumont Enterprise 2007
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Southeast Texas has a lot going for it, but bicycle routes are not one of our strong points. In fact, they're almost nonexistent. That should change. Biking is good for health, families and the environment. City planners should be thinking more about how to encourage bike-riding with new road construction and repairs.
The Southeast Texas Hike and Bike Coalition is trying to raise public awareness about this need. Coalition president Bill Rawlinson wants to start with basic goals, like a bike trail that connects north and south Beaumont. In Port Arthur, a contract for a 1.85-mile hike-and-bike trail in the middle of Thomas Boulevard could be let in January if bids come in under the city's budget of $425,000. When Texas 105 was resurfaced from Beaumont to Sour Lake, a bike lane was included. Cyclists want to establish a trail linking Beaumont and High Island. A seven-mile trail is being considered between Kountze and Woodville. Taxpayers should let their elected officials know that they support these projects. Some of these plans aren't costly. Southeast Texas could be a lot more inviting to bikers with basic changes such as wider and smoother shoulders alongside some roads, paint stripes to separate vehicles and bikes, and signs that mark bike trails and remind motorists to be watchful. Bicycle routes are a quality-of-life issue that make communities more appealing to new residents and businesses. By itself, a park or a library or a bike trail isn't that significant. Together, they matter. Bicycle routes should be considered in all road and neighborhood plans. Updated 01/03/2007 11:06:56 PM CST The Beaumont Enterprise 2007
Click here to view the Original Story