Give input for safer pedestrian, bike routes

Mark McNeese, bicycle-pedestrian coordinator of the Idaho Transportation Department, is looking for your insight and recently sent out an e-mail to approximately 480 governmental department heads and interested parties statewide.

He can be reached at 208-334-8272, by Fax at 208-334-4424, or by e-mail: mark.mcneese@itd.idaho.gov. 

Perhaps best and easiest of all, you can log onto http://itd.idaho.gov/planning/bike/2008PlanSurvey.html and take this survey he provided.

But you only have until Jan. 31, 2009, to do more than pray, wish and hope for safer (and greener) routes to school, work, shopping and/or a friend’s home. Answering this survey could also provide us with much needed funding for our “neck of the woods” to create greater connectivity, safety (for pedestrians and occupants of vehicles alike), and economic advantages from those traveling through our friendly city.

Depending upon the depth of your experience, this survey could take a few minutes or longer. Mine took a little longer.

Yet, whatever the time invested, it beats the time necessary to recover from an accident — even if you happen to be the innocent bystander, employer, friend, or loved one.

Please consider sharing your vital input prior to Jan. 31, 2009. Help make us (Boundary County) No. 1 in our compassionate response with foresight.

Ingrid Elena Pavia

Bonners Ferry