Bicycling advocates are hoping for a vast financial boost to develop recreational trails in Wisconsin.
That’s thanks to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed two-year state budget, which recommends spending about $18 million a year on trails. Most of it is novel money from a federal, bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Typically, only about $7 million a year goes to Wisconsin’s hiking and biking trails through what’s known as Transport Alternatives Program. The rest of the $17.5 million funding pot for transportation is typically earmarked for roads.
Longer conversation between Chuck Quirmbach and Rails to Trails.
Brian Housh, Midwest Policy Manager for Rails-to-Trails protectionexplains budget calculations to WUWM’s Chuck Quirmbach.
This month, Housh partnered with Trek Bicycle Company andWisconsin Bike Fed lobby the Republican-controlled state legislature to support the governor’s plan.
Housh also says he supports Evers’ proposal to financially aid compact communities develop trails through the matching funds program. He also likes Evers’ proposal to spend $60 million on so-called traffic calming projects, he says. would aid cyclists and pedestrians in urban areas.
