Editorial: Happy trails for bicyclists, joggers

Monday, June 8, 1998 | 10:48 a.m.

Joggers and bicyclists have been given a boost under a new policy that will allow them to use hundreds of miles of previously closed paths.

The Sun's Cathy Scott reported last week that some flood control maintenance roads, which are being identified on a map expected to be released in three weeks, can now be used instead as running and bike trails. And two utilities, Nevada Power and Southwest Gas, also agreed to let joggers and bicyclists on their maintenance and utility roads. In the past, these paths were only available to maintenance vehicles.

The newly available flood control channel roads and utility roads will be identified through a guide and map that can be obtained from the Regional Transportation Commission. For joggers and bicyclists who have tried to navigate busy intersections and roads, last week's announcement is certainly good news.

In addition to the safety consideration, the timing of the announcement was fortuitous with last week's medical announcements suggesting that more Americans need to get out and exercise. Medical experts released new federal guidelines increasing the number of Americans considered as overweight, hoping to jump-start people's efforts to shed a few more pounds through exercise and better dieting. And the American Heart Association also recently declared obesity a major risk factor for heart disease.

For decades, people have acknowledged the need for more trails and parks in the Las Vegas Valley for recreation and relaxation. While trails and roads have now been opened up, many of them are unpaved and will be difficult for some bicyclists to use.

This is a good first step, but local governments need to get serious about setting up a top-flight trail and path system, which includes increased funding to pave more trails so they can be used by even more valley residents.