Letter: Spend to repair existing roads

I am wondering how the bicycle lanes and concerns about bicyclists are getting so fast a push when they are not federally mandated like handicapped access was by ADA 20 years ago. Cedar Rapids is finally acting on handicap access 20 years after ADA was passed, only because of threats by the federal government. This seems to be a shame that it is so hard to navigate around downtown and get into venues, stores, restaurants, and restrooms 20 years later.

I also question if the general public is aware that the bike trails take state and federal funds from the road funds. I believe the funds would be better spent repairing the existing infrastructure than building more things to be maintained like trails that are used by a few. I have been past many trails with nobody on them but on many narrow asphalt roads with bikers on them.

It is another sign of what is wrong with this country when bicyclists get treated better than the handicapped?

Allan Aasen

Marion