Multi-use trails


<img width="160" height="101" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20051226133348861_1.jpg" alt=""><img width="90" height="120" align="right" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20051226133348861_2.JPG" alt="">Usually I just throw away the Examiner that lands on my doorstep every morning, but I was thumbing through it today and I came upon this editorial about the new Cross County Trail in Fairfax:

It's generally positive, but what's strange is the closing: &quot;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.&quot;

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 &quot;major commuting routes&quot; -- 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>;

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
  • Currently 0.00/5
Rating: 0.00/5 (0 votes cast)

Share It!

Login required to comment
Be the first to comment