The recent letters promoting construction of a bike trail along the proposed Eastern Bypass or Ring Road are laudable efforts if their purpose is to promote the use of bicycles.
Placing a bike path in close proximity to 65-mile-plus traffic creates some concern for the safety of those using such bike paths. More bike paths in the city proper would be an immediate advantage for all cyclists, plus possibly helping reduce our dependence on the automobile and its connection to the profits of countries not always friendly to us. Peoria is making some noticeable progress in this direction.
Washington has also made some efforts to promote the use of bicycles and should also be lauded for its efforts. The real question is the desirability of constructing the Ring Road, not attaching seemingly attractive projects like bike trails. The Eastern Bypass is a deceptively contrived project that creates quick euphoria for those who desire quick solutions, but it ends up with solutions that have a negative impact on society and the well being of our country.
Here in our heartland, there is euphoria about all the unexplained wonderful things the Ring Road or the Eastern Bypass will bring to us. The words even have an exotic or mystical “ring” to them. It makes you feel like you are “in the know” and “hip” if you say them in conversation.
Unfortunately, the Ring Road or Eastern Bypass is a key element in the destruction of our farmland. It encourages sprawl. It encourages more and wider-spread travel to far-flung, large housing developments and huge box stores (also built on good farmland) that kill inner-city infrastructure, development and tax base. It wastes time and money. The greater use of fuel adds to global warming.
Needless roads into farmland destroy all three elements — fertile soil, a temperate climate and adequate rainfall — that make this country able to produce an abundance of good and be great. The damage is permanent.
Let’s make plans for a viable future for our community and our country. Shelve the Eastern Bypass and concentrate on constructive projects.
Louis R. Marchini
Washington
