Temecula
has NOT spent
a
half million dollars
on
cycling infrastructure
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting on
the new update to the hiking and cycling trails master plan, city staff
reported that Temecula has spent $500,000 on bicycle infrastructure. That is
not accurate. I emailed Assistant City Manager Greg Butler after the meeting;
here is part of his reply;
“I was under the impression that funding had been spent as
budgeted. While researching my response to your inquiry I was advised now that the updated
master plan is approved, staff will be prioritizing this funding toward
projects identified in the updated plan.”
So how much have they spent? Maybe
$50,000. I have sent a follow-up email asking where this money was spent. More
on that later.
How much is budgeted for cycling
infrastructure projects next year?
“We have not segregated cycling infrastructure from other
expenses included in the multiuse trail program. Including carry over
funding (programmed and unspent from prior fiscal years) funding available to
implement the recommendations in the master plan update totals $463,495.
Thus far we have identified one cycling project, a pump track to be developed
at Ronald Regan Sports park to be implemented this coming fiscal year.”
My opinion? I don’t think a dirt track
in the middle of a park does anything to improve cycling infrastructure. In
other words, it doesn’t help me and my family ride around town and be safe.
Finally, I asked how much the city paid
its consultants from San Diego to redo the plan.
$150,000. Why is that important? It
comes out of the $500,000 they have in the budget for next year. The other
$350,000? Maybe the pump track.
Why is all this important?
If you ride a bicycle, and about half
of the 100,000 people who live here will ride a bike sometime in the next year,
getting around town with bike lanes that don't disappear and reappear without
warning, signalization that helps cyclists cross intersections, and signage
that reminds motorists to share the road with cyclists would be wonderful
improvements.
Other cities have made a commitment to
cycling infrastructure; it is time (way past time) for Temecula.
Rick Peoples
