From an article by Jake Miller in the Marshfield News-Herald:
Four dollars a gallon was enough inspiration for Steven Uthmeier to ditch the car.
Several years later, and in the midst of national Bike-to-Work week, the 56-year-old still bikes to work almost daily, huffing it into Marshfield on an old Schwinn that's made for a commute, not for looks.
Uthmeier cruises in from Hewitt, making a round trip of about 11 miles each day to and from home and his desk at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital.
Inhumane gasoline prices sparked his interest, but how Uthmeier feels after a ride has kept him going. He's refreshed and refocused.
"After I got into it, I felt better," Uthmeier said. "Then I was actually doing it for the exercise also, and I found on the way home after I finished a day of work it was very decompressing and relaxing."
Biking to work is by no means the primary mode of transportation and it isn't without inherent risks. There's the off-chance you'll be hit by a car, or you may get a flat at the most inopportune time.
Marshfield has continued to develop its network of bike trails, which for people like Uthmeier, has made the ride nearly as safe as it's going to get. He's only riding in traffic for about a mile before he reaches the path along Veterans Parkway.
"You do have cars going 45 (mph)," Uthmeier said, "but as soon as you get to the boulevard it's just beautiful."
He typically bikes to work from April to October, unless a heavy rain or snow storm hits.
Showing posts with label Transit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transit. Show all posts
Regional bus can connect central Wis.
Labels:
`Central Wisconsin,
Transit
From an editorial in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Ever since Lee Sherman Dreyfus came up with the term "ruralplex" to describe the way Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids could work together, it's been apparent that central Wisconsin can be more than the sum of its parts.
Over the years, we've consistently been in favor of initiatives to connect central Wisconsin's cities, whether that meant establishing Central Wisconsin Airport as the region's hub, encouraging University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to expand its offerings throughout the area, or even exploring the possibility of a regional jail.
But one of the most fundamental ways for the cities of central Wisconsin to be connected is simply to make it easier for people to get from one city to another.
Several area mayors have begun exploring options for creating a commuter bus line that would connect the area -- a loop through the southern cities of Stevens Point, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, heading north to CWA, Wausau, Marathon and Merrill. This is a project with the long-term potential to spur economic growth, and strengthen the cultural capital of central Wisconsin as a whole.
Ever since Lee Sherman Dreyfus came up with the term "ruralplex" to describe the way Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids could work together, it's been apparent that central Wisconsin can be more than the sum of its parts.
Over the years, we've consistently been in favor of initiatives to connect central Wisconsin's cities, whether that meant establishing Central Wisconsin Airport as the region's hub, encouraging University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to expand its offerings throughout the area, or even exploring the possibility of a regional jail.
But one of the most fundamental ways for the cities of central Wisconsin to be connected is simply to make it easier for people to get from one city to another.
Several area mayors have begun exploring options for creating a commuter bus line that would connect the area -- a loop through the southern cities of Stevens Point, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, heading north to CWA, Wausau, Marathon and Merrill. This is a project with the long-term potential to spur economic growth, and strengthen the cultural capital of central Wisconsin as a whole.
Bill to protect bikers approved
Labels:
`Central Wisconsin,
Transit
From an article by Nick Halter in the Wausau Daily Herald:
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature on Tuesday passed bills that would fine drivers who open their doors without first checking for bikers.
The bill, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Jim Doyle, would fine motorists up to $40 for the first offense and up to $100 for the second time in one year. The bill also eliminated the part of the law that requires bicyclists to stay three feet from vehicles.
Nick Holzen, 26, a mechanic at City Bike Works on Third Street in Wausau, said he has been hit by a car in the past and is glad attention is being paid to the issue. He said bike sales are way up at Bike Works and there will be more bicyclists hitting the roads this summer.
"With the economy down, there will be more people out on the road," he said.
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature on Tuesday passed bills that would fine drivers who open their doors without first checking for bikers.
The bill, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Jim Doyle, would fine motorists up to $40 for the first offense and up to $100 for the second time in one year. The bill also eliminated the part of the law that requires bicyclists to stay three feet from vehicles.
Nick Holzen, 26, a mechanic at City Bike Works on Third Street in Wausau, said he has been hit by a car in the past and is glad attention is being paid to the issue. He said bike sales are way up at Bike Works and there will be more bicyclists hitting the roads this summer.
"With the economy down, there will be more people out on the road," he said.
Committee approves $2 million for local transit
Labels:
`Central Wisconsin,
Transit
From a news release isssued by State Sen. Julie Lassa:
Madison—The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee [JFC] today approved more than $2 million in federal stimulus funding to provide vehicles and support services for public transit programs in Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield and Plover, State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) announced.
The funds were part of an overall allocation of more than $11 million in transit funding to non-urbanized areas throughout the state. The local funding includes nearly $1.6 million to provide three hybrid buses for the City of Stevens Point. Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield and Plover will get funds for vehicles for their shared ride taxi programs.
“These stimulus funds will be put to good work for the people of Central Wisconsin,” said Lassa, a JFC member who voted to approve the funds. “Public transit not only offers individuals an economical way to get from place to place, it reduces traffic and pollution, and helps us reduce our dependence on foreign oil— especially with energy-efficient hybrid vehicles. At the same time, the purchase of the vehicles will help stimulate the economy overall. It’s a smart investment in our transportation infrastructure.”
Of the $81.4 million in stimulus funds Wisconsin will receive under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for transit, the Act requires the state to allocate just over $20 million to non-urbanized areas with populations of less than 50,000. Today’s action fulfills the ARRA’s requirement that 50 percent of those funds be allocated within 180 days of initial award. The state has nearly a year to allocate the remaining portion of transit funding under the stimulus bill.
Madison—The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee [JFC] today approved more than $2 million in federal stimulus funding to provide vehicles and support services for public transit programs in Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield and Plover, State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) announced.
The funds were part of an overall allocation of more than $11 million in transit funding to non-urbanized areas throughout the state. The local funding includes nearly $1.6 million to provide three hybrid buses for the City of Stevens Point. Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield and Plover will get funds for vehicles for their shared ride taxi programs.
“These stimulus funds will be put to good work for the people of Central Wisconsin,” said Lassa, a JFC member who voted to approve the funds. “Public transit not only offers individuals an economical way to get from place to place, it reduces traffic and pollution, and helps us reduce our dependence on foreign oil— especially with energy-efficient hybrid vehicles. At the same time, the purchase of the vehicles will help stimulate the economy overall. It’s a smart investment in our transportation infrastructure.”
Of the $81.4 million in stimulus funds Wisconsin will receive under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for transit, the Act requires the state to allocate just over $20 million to non-urbanized areas with populations of less than 50,000. Today’s action fulfills the ARRA’s requirement that 50 percent of those funds be allocated within 180 days of initial award. The state has nearly a year to allocate the remaining portion of transit funding under the stimulus bill.
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