For the bike path

I read with concern the article regarding Councilman Rapozo’s opposition to the bike path project printed July 15 and the follow up story a few days later.

Councilman’s Rapozo’s concerns are in my opinion unfounded and short sighted. The question was raised, “who will come”? The answer is: everyone will come. The bike path will become a mainstay for recreation and family gathering for the island of Kaua‘i for years to come. I have lived in cities all over the Mainland and I have seen the success of projects like this one countless times.

There is path around Greenlake in Seattle and along the waterfront in Tacoma. I lived in cities in Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia that had bike paths constructed along the river’s that flowed through town.

The Lydgate bike path will provide an area for families and children to play and recreate safely in a beautiful surrounding. Presently there is not a safe area where I feel I can take my young children for a bike ride. The roads are to narrow and crowded for safe bike riding. The bike path will also provide miles of flat easy walking for all to enjoy.

As a physician I am always concern with the health of this community. With the epidemic of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity that is seriously affecting the people of Kaua‘i the continuing of the bike path would allow all a place to exercise to help curb these diseases.

I envision in the future 5k and 10k races. I see walk-a-thons and bike-a-thons. I envision children bike riding, rollerblading, and skateboarding. I see juniors and seniors alike walking and taking in the beautiful scenery. I see visitors walking the ocean and visiting the businesses that will be easily accessible along the path and will multiply.

Councilman’s Rapozo’s argument tries to make the point that there are more important things to spend money on. This inability to plan for future projects that will benefit Kauaian’s appears to me to be the exact reason we are faced with many of the problems Councilman Rapozo used as examples.

There will always be more important things to spend money on but that doesn’t mean that we should abandon projects that will truly enhance the lives of many. Terrorism, crime, health care, social security, traffic, housing and drugs are some of the issues that will always be important but should not dominate all of our tax dollars, all of our time and take away from positive projects that will enhance the community.

I wonder if Mr. Lydgate heard similar objections years ago when he hoped to create a park and a safe swimming area for the children of Kaua‘i. It seems that if Mr. Lydgate was trying to do today what he did years ago Councilman Rapozo objection would be that a park is really not needed and the time and money should be spent on finding a solution to the traffic problem.

• Evan Lee is a resident of Kapa‘a