[JohnBrooking]

Story (http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/050122obesity.shtml) in today's Portland (Maine) Press Herald about possible legislation to help decrease obesity in our great state, mentions possibly directing 1% of the Highway Fund "for bike paths and walkways". It's probably a long shot to even pass, but I wanted to mention it for anyone who likes to be aware of such things, especially my fellow Mainers. If it does pass, then would be the time to work with the state to talk about the "bike paths" idea (pro or con). Personally, I've never ridden anywhere that had them, but having seen how some of them in Portland are laid out, and having followed discussion about them here, I feel I'd rather spend the money on cyclist and driver education instead.

[The BikeForums Team]

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)

Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net

[late]

Hi John,
I wish they'd something about Brighton Ave. I'd like to be able to use it, but I nicknamed it The Valley of Death. A bike lane would be nice. I like walking paths, but I'm not much of a fan of bike paths.
How are things going with you? I am still coughing, but things are getting better. I can't wait to start training again, it is incredibly frustrating doing nothing. There is a new restaurant in Portland called 'Duck Fat'. I want to check it out.

[nycm'er]

Bike paths and bike lanes are different animals. Bike paths have people walking in them all the time, and bike lanes have people parking in them. Bike paths can be useful around "Valleys of Death" and the like. Not sure how the raging debate on lane or no lane will view paths but it sounds like the state has the right idea.
In NYC there is a glorious path up the westside runs along the Westside highway. I can usually do about as well as a car making time with the wind, (they have [read: honor]traffic lights, bikes dont). This path is a bike superhighway, with people walking on it with dogs and kids and strollers, but all the same, it is a great route to travel the island of manhattan.

[jazzy_cyclist]

Story (http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/050122obesity.shtml) in today's Portland (Maine) Press Herald about possible legislation to help decrease obesity in our great state, mentions possibly directing 1% of the Highway Fund "for bike paths and walkways". It's probably a long shot to even pass, but I wanted to mention it for anyone who likes to be aware of such things, especially my fellow Mainers. If it does pass, then would be the time to work with the state to talk about the "bike paths" idea (pro or con). Personally, I've never ridden anywhere that had them, but having seen how some of them in Portland are laid out, and having followed discussion about them here, I feel I'd rather spend the money on cyclist and driver education instead.

I think that's great. You should be happy they aren't allocating 1% of the highway fund on assault weapons to eradicate those pesky cyclists! There is a bike path that runs through my town - 11 or 12 miles long. There are certainly issues associated with it (like in the middle of summer when it's filled with all types of humanity), but I sometimes incorporate it into some of my longer rides (an easy 15 miles), and it's a way to get to the town on other end without going on some more heavily-trafficked roads. If there were more of these, I might actually be able to commute somewhere useful.

The advocacy group here in Mass. (MassBike) did manage to get some bicycle-related stuff into the driver's ed manuals, and is working on designating a couple major east-west and north-south routes through the state to be bicycle-friendly. IMO, every bit helps.

By the way, the state web pages on bike routes in Maine was, I think, outstanding. I think I may try a few of those. You maine-iaks should count your blessings :)