People on Paseo

The localcycling newsdesk received this info on the Paseo Bridge pledge drive from Laurie Chipman: 
"Do you ever go to other cities like Portland, OR; Seattle or Chicago and wonder, "Why can't we have bike lanes, bike parking and respect from drivers?" or "Their running/walking events get lots of attention and participation. Why not KC?" Those cities have strong advocacy organizations and broad community support.

Let's Go KC is a small advocacy organization but the Paseo Bridge is the issue that we can use to show local officials that we want the great walking, running and cycling environments that we see in other cities. The Paseo could be our turning point.
"This weekend we decided on a goal of $100,000 by November 24, 2008. That sounds like a lot but if you help us, we can meet that goal because to meet our goal we need 5000 people to pledge only $20! And, we need to pledge because if we don't, MoDOT will definitely not build the walking and bicycling trail until 2031, 20 years from now!
We are off to a great start! In 2 weeks we have received almost $10,500 in pledges from 149 people!      
• As a community concerned about active living, we will get the attention of the media, local officials, MoDOT and KDOT.
• We will have clout and local officials will listen to us.
• City, state and federal funds will be allocated for amenities such as trails, bicycle lanes/parking, transit access and walkable neighborhoods.
Here's how you can help.
2. Please send this e-mail to your co-workers, friends, family, and neighbors so they can join with us to pledge for better cycling, walking and running in the KC region, for us and for our children.
No cash is needed now. The money will be collected only if needed to build the ramps to the bicycle/pedestrian trail on the bridge."

Put People on Paseo campaign
Let's Go KC wants the Kansas City region to pledge funds to help Kansas City Missouri to get the needed 4.1 million to build a bicycle/pedestrian trail on the new Christopher S. Bond (Paseo) bridge by 2011.

http://letsgokc.com/action/paseopledge.php

Kansas City Contact:
Laurie Chipman
chipdsn1@swbell.net
816 753 3164

Who:
  Let's Go KC, Alliance for Transportation Choice

What:
  Put People on Paseo campaign to get people to pledge money towards getting a barrier separated bicycle/pedestrian trail on the new Christopher S. Bond (Paseo) bridge by 2011.

When:
  Now until November 24, 2008

Why:
  • There is no safe Missouri river crossing for bicyclists or pedestrians
  • This is the cheapest and easiest time to build it and MoDOT doesn't want to build until 2031, 20 years from now!
  • More people than ever want to walk and bicycle to save money, stay healthy and save the environment.
  • To try to emphasize the need for spending money on more walking and bicycling infrastructure in our region
  • We need this river crossing for region connectivity to trails and roads both north and south and to the future KATY Trail connection.
  • The KCMO council has two resolutions that support the trail and MARC has policy that supports it.

Let's Go KC, Alliance for Transportation Choice is having a pledge campaign to Put People on Paseo in 2011 when it opens. We have been having the campaign for two weeks and have received almost $10,000 dollars just through e-mail notices and by speaking with people! This support has happened in spite of the current economic trouble!

Kansas City has no safe crossing for walking and bicycling over the Missouri or Kansas rivers. Many other communities already have safe river crossings in use, such as Omaha, St. Louis, Charleston, Minneapolis and Portland, OR. At one time, the Missouri Department of Transportation said it would build a bicycle/ pedestrian crossing if the surrounding communities would fund and build ramps to the bridge. Kansas City is committed to building this crossing and has found some of the funds to do it but they need a 20 percent match. We want to help that process along by showing that the community wants=2 0this crossing so much that they will contribute their own funds even in these hard economic times.

If we don't build it by 2011, MoDOT wants to wait 20 years, until 2031 to make the crossing. There are already many more people bicycling and walking to work and for recreation. People in our region, now more than ever, have expressed their desire to be able to have more transportation choices. They need to save money. They want to have more options for healthy activities. They are concerned about green solutions to community issues.

See our campaign at: http://letsgokc.com/action/paseopledge.php