Mountain Bike Trails & The Stimulus Package
Since we moved to Oregon I’ve been mountain biking again because we have so many trails close to town. Being an outdoor enthusiast when it comes to government policy, intervention or accessibility concerns to American’s wild lands I’m always all ears. The DOD Yahoo Group has thread running regarding trails and the stimulus package that Obama is pushing for.
Republican Senators DeMint and Coburn are calling for the removal of funding for hike and bike trails in the Recovery plan.
On Tuesday, February 2, 2009, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), chair of the Senate Steering Committee, told Newsmax, that the stimulus bill is a “sham” and that “When people see bike trails and hiking trails and golf courses, they know this is not designed to stimulate the economy and create jobs,” DeMint says.
The following is response from Rep. Blumenauer, founder of the Congressional Bike Caucus regarding this issue:
“Republican amendments and assertions that the creation of hike and bike trails in the recovery plan will not create jobs or stimulate the economy shows us just short-sighted and out of touch they are. Investment in bike paths will not only improve our economy, and take our country in the right direction for our future; it is precisely the kind of investment the American people want. American families have indicated time and again in the passage of bond measures across the country that they favor spending on alternative transportation, such as bicycles and mass transit, over spending on more highway capacity. Americans want a real solution to the economic crisis, not just a band-aid fix. These investments will stimulate the economy in the present and point our nation toward the economic and environmental realities of the future.”
Rep. Blumenauer also blogged about this on the Huffington Post.
American families have indicated time and again in the passage of bond measures across the country that they favor spending on alternative transportation, such as bicycles and mass transit, over spending on mere highway capacity. Americans want real solutions to the economic crisis, not just a band-aid fix. These investments will stimulate our economy now – when it counts and point our nation toward the economic and environmental realities of the future.
If you think about.. look at the economic good that came out of the CCC who built trails all accross the country creating thousands if not more jobs during the Great Depression. The CCC in my eyes is one of many factors that helped bring America out of that touch economic time.
If the outdoors and access to it is important to you then write and email or send a letter to your representatives letting them know that you are against the removal of trail building from the latest stimulus package.