Lake Auburn is in critical need of a bike path. I love to ride my bike, but it is dangerous. You may notice that there are many bike races and leisure bikers going around Lake Auburn. There is one thing missing, a safe bike path. It may be expensive but it could help prevent injuries, worried parents, and sometimes even death. But the state can do something about it. Even if the costs are high, it’s worth preventing injuries to Auburn’s citizens who are simply trying to enjoy a basic recreation. In cities bigger than Auburn, the community realizes that biking and pedestrian traffic add to the quality of life in any area, why are we on the slow track?

The city’s current plan is to put bicycle paths in at year 2025. Eighteen years? A little far away, don’t you think? Bicycle paths would be a very helpful, positive step toward safety, and appreciated by everyone. There is very little you can say negative about a bike lane that is not greatly outweighed by the positive effect of public bike paths in a community. Not only does it support the ideals of health and exercise, but it saves lives, and keeps people using their own energy rather than gasoline and other CO2 producing fuels.

When I asked a woman living in the lake area for her opinion, and she told me, “We need those lanes as soon as possible. Not only would it improve the quality of life, it would improve public safety.”

I also asked a year round resident of the area around Lake Auburn, and they said “Bike lanes would make the area incredibly attractive to residents, visitors, and avid bikers, but the biggest issue is safety. Without designated bike lanes it is really too dangerous to ride all the way around the lake. Every day, hundreds of people travel past one of the most scenic areas of Auburn, Lake Auburn, and they are driving far beyond the legal speed limit.”

Just last summer I was almost struck by a car going way too fast on Lake Shore Drive, so I know first hand what the problems are. Drivers are often oblivious to anything other than their destination.

Please take this issue up with the city manager, and city parks department. It is time we fast tracked this idea, and did something positive for the residents of Auburn.

Don’t be fooled by the talk of expense, remember, human lives, and the quality of that life are part of the equation too. This is a basic, community, rooted issue, and means a lot to those of us living and growing up in Auburn.