Louis Schepers
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
On the front page of the April 12 News Tribune there was a picture of a cycling instructor and a group of about 40 cyclists. Since the pandemic, many more people have taken up bicycling.
My wife and I both bicycle, and we are in our 70s. We would like to see more done on the greenway. We feel progress is very slow. This year we are planning to go to Iowa to bicycle because it have some great trails.
A few years ago when the city was getting ready to completely redo East McCarty Street from the East Walmart to the intersection of High and McCarty streets, I called a member of the City Council. I suggested that the greenway run along the north side of McCarty Street instead of just a sidewalk. He checked into it and called me back and told me they already had plans for the greenway on the east end.
At that time they could have made the greenway along McCarty for about one-fifth or less than the cost of a new greenway. Now we have no greenway in this area and probably won't have for many years.
This is truly disappointing. The north side of McCarty Street could still be made into a greenway without too much work and still would cost only a fraction of what a new greenway will cost.
People have told me they would like to bicycle to work, but they want a safe way to get there. We should be able to bicycle all the way across town on a safe trail. Other cities have built some great, safe bike trails. Just look on YouTube and you will see them.
In the next three years over half of all bicycles sold will be e-bikes. The hills will be no problem.