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 COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
The Kern River Bike Path
Travel to any rapidly growing city in America, and one will find that often times planners and developers have given little or no thought to utilization of a city's natural and geological resources. What distinguishes one city from another? Travel to almost any major capital throughout the world and you will find one major feature they have in common: a river that forms the heart of the city.
Undoubtedly, the Kern River is the single greatest natural resource in Bakersfield. Portions of the Kern River still remain unspoiled areas of riparian habitat. Many species of plants and animals no longer in existance in other parts of California make their home on or near the Kern.
Before the Kern River Parkway Plan was conceived and designed in the early 1980s, who had access to the river? Certainly, landowners with property abutting the waterway have always had access. Those on horseback, hikers and off-road enthusiasts have enjoyed limited access to the river. Despite the fact that a large segment of the river passes through the heart of metropolitan Bakersfield, the vast majority of residents have had little or no safe and easy access to the Kern prior to construction of the bike path.
The bike path is a major focal point of the Kern County River Parkway Plan. The original concept was to combine a safe route in a natural setting, to ride or walk from Hart Park to California State University, Bakersfield. One of the last links--Manor Street to Gordon's Ferry--will help complete that goal.
Critics argue that the extension of the bike path is a "yuppie waste of money" -- and that the money designated for this project would be better spent to fund libraries, hire policemen or supplement shrinking school budgets.
Had one ventured out onto the bike path in the mid to late 1980s, one would have seen many individual "yuppie-type" cyclists and runners. Now, it is exciting to see that the bike path has evolved into a family affair. On almost any weekend, families are enjoying the splendor of the river's natural beauty while walking, riding and skating. During the week, it is encouraging to find many senior citizens experiencing not only the natural beauty the bike path has to offer, but also the opportunity it provides for fitness.
How many recreational facilities today are available to families that are safe, clean and promote good health at no cost? Best of all, our children are able to view wild plant and animal life in its natural habitat. Most city children rarely experience this opportunity.
From a practical point of view, the bike path provides a means of alternate transportation to Bakersfield College, CSUB and work. Fewer motor vehicles on the road means less traffic and air pollution.
Often we hear our public officials lament the fact that Bakersfield and Kern County never receive their fair share in taxes collected for transportation projects. Approximately $500,000 that city and county officials have been able to save over the last couple of years will enable our community to utilize funds specifically allocated for bicycle paths and alternate forms of transportation. Even if one does not consider the extension of the bike path as a worthwhile project, why should our community's taxes--which have been allocated for local use--be sent back to Sacramento only to be doled out to some other community eager to take advantage of these funds?
In these difficult economic times, it is understandable for many people to suggest reallocation of funds from amenities to basic governmental services. However, amenities like the bike path are what help improve our community's image. And that's important when attracting new business so necessary for future growth.
When considering a community's image and, in particular, when describing a city's assets, thoughts tend to turn towards the city's cultural assets--symphonies, art galleries, theaters and recreational facilities. The Kern River bike path is indeed one of those rare assets that reflects our community's unique commitment to improving our "quality of life"--now and for the future. This article first appeared in The Bakersfield Californian.
 Back to "Preserving the Quality of Life in our Community"
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