To the editor:

I recently read of the latest project boondoggle: a “bicycle boulevard” on 21st street. This is a new level of nuttiness for our city. If anyone on the city Transportation Commission ever used 21st street, they would know that there is next to zero bicycle traffic. So, a quarter-million dollar project is started for a need that does not exist.

In addition, the so-called “boulevard” will cross Louisiana Street (next to the high school, and clogged with traffic at selective times) and Naismith Drive, which has large amounts of KU traffic. In addition, an entire neighborhood will be cut in half, causing people to have to drive as much as two blocks out of their way to get to 19th or 23rd streets. It is hard to think of a sillier waste of money. A friend commented to me that we do a lot in Lawrence in order to appear to be progressive. It’s the appearance that counts, not the reality.

If they want to do something to save lives, try a crossing light on 19th near Missouri. A lot of KU students who park south of 19th to save money take their lives in their hands trying to get across 19th, and this is only going to get worse with the KU construction finishing.