To the editor:

We can either get serious about reducing our car dependency and investing in real opportunities to bike and walk safely or continue to fall prey to the usual critics that seem to delight in attacking anything and everything the city undertakes.

The criticisms of Prop. 1 are strange to say the least. Sometimes the critics suggest the city will do something untoward with the money even though the nature of the funding would make that impossible. Others simply don’t like the idea of investing in non-motorized transportation options. We hear the projects it will fund are not spelled out even though there is an established plan to fund those areas where the need is greatest. And then there are those that insist that whatever is funded will be the wrong choice regardless.

It is telling that Prop. 1 is fully supported by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce, groups which represent the needs of bikers and walkers, and local environmental groups which know that this is our best opportunity to reduce ever-increasing car emissions.

Prop. 1 is also about our children and their mobility. We want our children to be able to walk and bike with some degree of safety which can’t happen until we see major improvements in our trail system.

For those of us who would gladly bike and walk more if these projects are funded, and know that these funds will make our roads safer for both motorists and non-motorists, we look forward to voting YES on Prop. 1.

It won’t accomplish everything we need, but it certainly is a step in the right direction.

ERIKA SHRINER

Bainbridge Island