Multi-use trails
It's generally positive, but what's strange is the closing: "The Washington area will soon become a must-see destination for hikers and bikers all over the world. Just remember that hiking trails are recreational amenities - not major commuter routes."
It seems like an incomplete thought, but what are they getting at?
First, it's not a hiking trail, it's a multi-use trail, open to bikers, equestrians, pedestrians, joggers and skaters. Second, about a quarter million dollars of the cost of building the trail came from federal transportation funds -- and by law that money must be spent on transportational, not recreational, projects, and in order to get the money the county had to certify that the project was primarily transportational. Finally, as we all know, multi-use trails are major commuter routes -- just go look at the Capital Crescent or Mount Vernon trails during rush hour, even in the winter. Bicycles transport 75,000 commuters per day in DC, which is more than many roads that are considered "major commuting routes" -- at a much lower cost to the taxpayer than automotive travel.
So what are they getting at?
PS. Has anyone biked this trail? What's it like?
- Nick on BikeWashingtonDC Yahoo group
Ref: <a href="http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2005/12/23/opinion/editorial/66edit23trail.txt">http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2005/12/23/opinion/editorial/66edit23trail.txt</a>
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