Connected bike lanes right kind of change

Published April 21, 2011 in the Commercial Appeal

Last Sunday afternoon, I decided to take my young sons to Shelby Farms Park for the Down to Earth celebration. We also wanted to revisit the Woodland Discovery Playground and finally do the paddle boats on Patriot Lake.

Unfortunately, we were met with crazy backed-up traffic on Walnut Grove, and we could see from the road how crowded it was in the park. I was simultaneously thrilled at the turnout, and disappointed that we wouldn't be joining in on the fun. I also found it somewhat ironic that our Earth Day celebration was derailed by a traffic jam.

Obviously, we were in a car, so we were part of the problem. My youngest son usually hitches a ride on the back of my husband's bike when we do long rides, so minus my husband (who was busy studying) I didn't think it would be feasible for us all to ride out there on our bikes -- at least not there and back. And as awesome as the Shelby Farms Greenline is, there are plenty of neighborhoods it doesn't connect to, so a lot of families had no choice but to drive to the park...(Read more).