MTC Raids Bike Funds

Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty has been itching for a way to "improve" highways way out in the far ex-urban eastern part of the county. His solution: raid regional bike funds. In December 2003, the MTC had elected to allocate some $200 million to help pay for the Regional Bike Plan. Haggerty's "credit" scheme now allows counties that fund bike plans locally (through transportation sales tax) to opt out of the regional bike plan. End result: Alameda County residents will not receive their fair share of the $200 million Regional Bike plan.