LexRides

politicalhero · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: Legacy trail hits snag

This blurb was in the Dec. 1 Business First. Does anyone know any more details?

Legacy trail hits snag

As the city tries to prepare for the Games, hopes for a 9-mile bike and hiking trail between downtown Lexington and the Horse Park ran into trouble when the city's Board of Adjustment tied in a vote on a critical land trade. Trail organizers say without the swap, the project is dead. Because of the tie-vote, the matter comes up again when the board meets in council chambers at 1pm on Dec. 12.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

figures.
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beverlu · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Lexington

The critical land trade is between UK and Vulcan Materials. As part of the deal, Vulcan wants mining rights. They say they don't have any immediate plans to mine, but many are concerned that it will happen and could have an effect on a nearby spring in Georgetown. Gravel mining certainly has an effect on the hydrology. The mines in their plant off Old Richmond Rd. are often filled with 20 ft. or more of water. They have also mined too close to the property line (they are not supposed to mine within 100 ft of the property line). I'm all for bike lanes...but at what cost?

For more info, Tom Eblen had a recent article on the issue.

elzie5000 · cutter Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 1177

There is a concern over the mining rights to part of the swapped property and its proximity to the Royal Springs Aquifer.

http://www.kentucky.com/167/story/597572.html

edit: That person above me types faster than I do.

politicalhero · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject:

Any type of mining it seems that rules and regulations are rarely followed. Now the trend seems to be for mining (mainly coal) companies to mine illegally on land, or build extra valley fills, etc and then to just "self-report" the violation and the government acts like everything is fine.

Agreed, I am for bikes but at what cost? Is this trail the best trail for Lexington? Are there other trails that we could benefit from more? What other projects should we prioritize if this fails?

What do folks think?

taylor · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

seems like a pretty sticky situation - if I had my way they would just build the damn trail. but assuming that this fails (perhaps emblematic of the Equestrian Games as a whole?), we need to be concentrating on building on-road facilities. trails are pretty cool, I guess, but trails (especially a single 9 mile trail to the Horse Park) won't necessarily get one to and from work safely every day. we need better paved and better maintained (yes, that means you street cleaners need to quit sweeping shit into the bike lanes) roads and more bike lanes.

elzie5000 · cutter Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 1177

I'm with Taylor. I'd much rather see money go to projects that would help more people ride safely to work, school and the grocery store than recreation trails.

jkizzle · cutter Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 519 Location: I.L.L.

i agree as well. Sooner or later the aquifers will be all gone. We dont want to destroy bluegrass for a trail. We are already losing our farms at an alarming rate, and at the prospect of pooling water in a rural region without a major water source, this seems damning.

mattypichu · hipster Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 52 Location: bike shop

After talking to one of the engineers that is working on this job, they don't expect this to slow them signifigently. The next meeting about this is on the 12th, lets go and see. As far as this trail helping people get to work... it would provide a paved traffic free route to LexMark, one of Lexington's largest employers and also one with a strong bike commuter scene. Also this project has a third party doing an enviromental impact survey, I wonder if they are looking into the mining impact as well.

ps The next public input meeting for the trail is going to be in mid Jan.
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mattypichu · hipster Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 52 Location: bike shop

One other thing, there is money available for education about safety and what not available through grants from the DOT. Everytime someone gets one of those biker runner license plates money goes toward just that type of education. The money is out there.
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brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

a little bird told me that UK may soon be doing bike licenses, which may also include an educational component in order to complete the process.
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elzie5000 · cutter Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 1177

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

the Legacy trail won't exactly be "trail" until right around Lexmark anyways. Lexmark commuters may be able to enjoy a couple blocks of car-free riding before they roll into work.

taylor · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

you're exactly right about offroad paths making riders (and drivers) more hesitant to be in the same place as one another. anything that sends a message, such as building an offroad path, to people that bikes belong anywhere [i]except[/i] the road needs to be reconsidered. I'm all for anything that builds our 'bikability', but there are bigger things in the world.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

I guess I tend to be more of a populist when it comes to things like this.

I'm for anything that will improve the quality of life here and will move in a progressive direction for Lexington. This town is in sore need of a progressive light shining down on it. I just don't see a 9 mile trail as subverting the need for improving upon the already existing bike facilities (streets).
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