Paving the Way for Cyclists
Walla Walla's city leadership moves to revitalize local bicycle paths with asphalt ahead of the rainy season.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
After considerable delay owing to the non-arrival of a carload of asphalt from San Francisco, the old bicycle paths about the city are to be repaired and placed in condition for winter travel. The car of asphalt ordered several weeks ago arrived yesterday and will be unloaded at once. Commissioner Peck was able to land the car of asphalt in Walla Walla for $312. Of this amount $112 went to the railroads for freight. The car received yesterday weighed 15 tons, and the commissioner said this morning he expected that this would be sufficient to treat every old path in the city. With bicycle taxes due, the commissioner expects to have plenty of funds to finish the work before the fall rains set in. While in good condition during dry weather, the old paths are unfit to ride on during the winter months, and last year wheelmen complained of the wretched condition of many stretches. These are to be given a heavy coat of asphaltum and put in condition for winter travel.
“While in good condition during dry weather the old paths are unfit to ride on during the winter months.”
Long before the modern push for dedicated bike lanes, Walla Walla was already managing bicycle infrastructure through dedicated taxes. The frustration of 'wretched' paths persists in debates over active transportation and municipal maintenance budgets today.
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