Spending on … what?

So Metroplan wants to spend $55 million on bike paths to attract younger workers to central Arkansas? Those young people would presumably be from outside Arkansas given the disproportionately high percentage of young fatsos in the Natural State. Let’s face it, cycling around Little Rock ain’t no picnic thanks to its topography. Perhaps further east we might connect more folks with bicycle byways, but anything west of downtown, well, you’d better be the second coming of Lance Armstrong. Oh, and during the summer you’ll really enjoy the 90-plus-degree heat. Does that money include showers at all places of business?

Isn’t the real reason for all the excitement the fact that $55 million isn’t nearly enough to do serious infrastructural modifications, so let’s spend a bundle on the cheaper stuff?

Might I suggest better nighttime illumination of our streets? There are roads all over Little Rock where driving at night is downright hazardous even if you already know the road. And it might be a good idea to freshen up the striping and replace all the missing reflectors while they’re at it. Did I mention the inadequate directional signage? Try finding your way to the airport when heading east on 630 if you’re a stranger to the area. And I swear, if they don’t do something really wonderful with the War Memorial park land I think I’ll just spit. Soccer fields aren’t going to cut it.

Geez, I’m really sounding like a geezer. Must be all that extra wisdom.

DANE BUXBAUM

Little Rock