Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky and other Republican politicians have decided bike paths are a waste of money and want any new projects for them defunded by the federal government.
While discussing the need to repair a bridge in the northern part of his state, Paul told FOX News that spending taxpayer dollars on pathways for bicyclists was pure “craziness.” Such funds should instead be redirected to transportation “emergencies.”
Paul’s remark followed a proposal by Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma in September to eliminate all federal support for bike and pedestrian projects from a transportation bill. Widespread opposition forced Coburn to withdraw his plan.
Also, Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes said recently that Denver’s bike-sharing program was a “well-disguised” effort to turn the city into a “United Nations community.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Rand Paul Criticizes Bike Path Funding As ‘Craziness’ (by Scott Keyes, Think Progress)