In this story from today’s Bee the American River Bike Trail is properly highlighted, due to Bike-to-Work Day, by the state transportation agency chief, who, unfortunately, only rides it during this one day…not a real good endorsement… but should not take away form the great value of the trail and the need to increase its capacity to provide real commuting capability to those who wish to use it.
Here is an excerpt.
State's highway chief touts bicycles to ease congested roads
By Tony Bizjak -- Bee Staff WriterPublished 12:01 am PDT Thursday, May 18, 2006
So today is Bike-To-Work Day, and who gets his picture in the paper, pedaling his Bianchi virtuously to work on the American River bike trail?
That's Department of Transportation chief Will Kempton, the governor's highway honcho.
But Kempton hasn't ridden his bike to work since, well, this day last year, when he also managed to get his picture in the paper. (He skidded in the rain that day, tumbled and skinned his knee.)
So what makes Kempton bike-day poster guy? Clicking into his pedals with some co-workers Wednesday morning next to the bike trail at Hazel Avenue, Kempton said he's making a point: The concept of "mobility" in California is changing, and his department is changing, too.
"It isn't your grandfather's Caltrans," he said. "It isn't just about building highway lanes anymore."
It's about working more with local governments to help and encourage them to offer choices.
The Highway 50 corridor is an example, he said. The freeway has become congested. He knows. He drives it several days a week from his Folsom home to work downtown.
Even Wednesday, as Kempton pedaled at a comfortable 15 mph on the bike trail, nearby Highway 50 was being slowed up by a morning accident.
"I'm encouraging bike commuting because anytime anyone gets a car off the road, you are freeing up capacity," Kempton said. "It's good for the transportation system, it's good for the air, it's good for your health."
But, it isn't really for him. He's a serious recreational runner and enjoys cycling, but his job doesn't allow time for the three hours it would take to bike to and from work each day in Folsom.
"You have to be hard-core," he said. "Some are. Good for them."
