Basically this in regards to alternative transportation in general. My goal was to keep it reasonably brief, and to make reasonable demands. Please let me know what you think and if there are any obvious areas for improvement.

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I am extremely disappointed in the city of Grand Rapids for their abysmal efforts to clear the sidewalks and bike paths of snow this winter. To many, this is not a big issue, and may not affect them at all as they sit in their heated cars. However, for many who chose to either forgo a car for economic or environmental reasons, this means making a choice between ice and snow covered sidewalks (and the subsequent soaked pants and shoes), and walking in the streets with traffic to avoid the mess.

Why is the city penalizing those who cannot afford a car or who are trying to do what is best for our environment? None of the multi-use paths in the immediate area surrounding area (incl. the Paul Henry and Plaster Creek trails) appear to have been cleared since the last significant snowfall. Riding them on a bicycle is truly impossible, and walking them would be miserable at best.

The sidewalks have received little more attention than the aforementioned multi-use paths, and clearing is sporadic through town. This leads to a choice between wet clothes and a dangerous walk with traffic. Supposedly, the Rapid won the 2004 Interurban Transit Award for Outstanding Public Transportation System, but I have to ask, how can the Rapid be outstanding if the walk to the bus stop is so difficult?

I think Grand Rapids should take after Chicago, which has one of the finest public transportation and bicycle lane networks in the US. Homeowners and businesses can be fined if snow is not cleared from the sidewalks within 24hrs of a snowfall. On-road bicycle lanes abound through the city, which means that when the roads are cleared, the bicycle lanes will be clear as well. I and many others I know would love to be able to ride our bicycles safely to work, without contending with traffic on the roads, or pedestrians on the multi-use paths.

The steps outlined above admittedly require some cost and consideration, and time to be implemented. There is, however, one very simple way to improve transportation in the city at little cost: clear our sidewalks and multi-use paths.

Sincerely,