Measure R: funding bike trails near you

With gas prices nearing $4 a gallon, people in Tulare County are already on the hunt for alternative ways to get around town. They’re exchanging their gas guzzling SUVs for fuel-efficient models and hopping on the bus, but why not turn to the old reliable two-wheeled wonder — yes, a bicycle. Having commuted by bike for the past 30 years in Visalia, I can honestly say that commuting by bicycle is one of the best ways to get around. I love it. Now that it’s spring and the weather is beautiful, there isn’t a better time to try commuting by bike.

While commuting by bike is already possible in Visalia, it will be more so next year thanks to Measure R. This summer, $1.7 million of Measure R money will be used to improve a number of trails in Visalia. That work will play an important role so that next year at this time, we’ll have even more ways to commute by bike and enjoy the outdoors. The way I see it, any money used to create trails where all non-motorized users are welcome — walkers, bikers, strollers, wheelchairs users — will be money well spent. These areas are safe, quiet, scenic and provide a means for physical exercise and enjoyment of the outdoors. Measure R is helping us get the message across that if we build them, they will be used.

Remember, Measure R isn’t just about filling potholes or fixing roads — 14 percent ($91.3 million) of the one-half cent sales tax will be used through 2037 to fund projects that improve bike/pedestrian, transit and environmental projects. At least $71 million of Measurer R money will fund bicycle projects over the 30-year life of the sales tax. That figure will grow, now that Measure R is bringing in more money than originally expected. As of April, Measure R has brought in $3.6 million more than expected, so the future is looking very bright for bicycle projects in Tulare County.

This summer Measure R will fund design work on two trails in the City of Visalia — Packwood Creek and the Santa Fe Trail. Using Measure R money, the City of Visalia will extend the Packwood Creek Trail from County Center along Cameron Street and fund its portion of the Santa Fe Trail from Tulare Avenue to Avenue 272.

The first portion of the Packwood Creek Trail, which will begin construction next year, will include a one-half mile long, 10-12-foot wide landscaped trail that can be used for outdoor activities such as biking, walking, rollerblading, skating or running. It will start at County Center, cross over Mooney Boulevard and extend 1,000 feet east of Mooney. The east section, which will start in 2011-12, will start there and progress to the east, across Stonebrook Street to Caldwell Avenue.

Ultimately, the city plans to make the Packwood Creek Trail continuous throughout the city. Measure R money will also be used for multiple sections of the Santa Fe Trail that fall within the city’s boundaries. The first section, which in the next two years will begin construction, will go from Tulare Avenue to the city’s southern border. The second section will be completed in 2011-12 and will extend the Santa Fe Trail from Houston to Riggin avenues.

Meanwhile, the City of Visalia is also using Measure R money to make improvements to the Mill Creek Trail and the St. Johns Trail. The St. Johns Trail will go a half-mile east of McAuliff Street, while the Mill Creek Trail will go one-half mile east to Lovers Lane.

As a member of the Measure R Citizens’ Oversight Committee, I’m proud to see that policy makers are making the connection that we have a great resource, Measure R, to improve the lives of Tulare County residents. Who knows? Measure R might even help a few of us avoid a heart attack when we find out it will soon cost us $5 for one measly gallon of gasoline.

Vicki Stasch

Visalia

Member of the Measure R Citizens Oversight Committee

City of Visalia Waterways, Bicycle and Trails Committee

Member of Rails to Trails Conservancy