Be careful along Springinsguth

Several weeks ago in the Saturday Soapbox you commented about the need to widen a sidewalk along Springinsguth where it is shared with bikes.

I recognize your concern about the width of the bikepath/sidewalks in Schaumburg. Ideally, that sidewalk along Springinsguth would be a full width bike path.

I suspect there are issues that prevent it at this time. First, to widen the sidewalk to bike path width is costly and this is money municipalities do not have at this time. Second, it would not be received well by the people whose yard it is in.

Third, in that location the shared sidewalk is a better alternative to riding on the busy road. Finally, in spaces where the shared sidewalk is used, there is no space to widen the path pavement or add a bike lane to the road safely.

It behooves riders and pedestrians to exercise caution in these stretches.

It appears this alternative is used where no alternative connection exists. All in all, Schaumburg has one of the best bikeway systems in the area.

As a society we are becoming greener in our thinking and one green consideration is to have bike path and lanes connecting towns and amenities. The Northwest Municipal Conference is studying a regional plan and I suggest the Herald check to see how this is going and encourage the execution of the plan including funding.

There is a lot of potential for bike traffic if the Northwest suburbs are completely interconnected.

I am now retired and use my bike to get around for pleasure and errands wherever possible. I used to commute to work regularly by bike.

Bob Pautsch

Schaumburg