Robert A Schreiber - The Commercial Appeal -

We of the Greater Memphis Greenline are proud that, as you noted in your Sept. 17 editorial "Cycling makes a sharp turn," Memphis has achieved an honorable mention from the League of American Bicyclists for our efforts to become a more bicycle-friendly city.

The Greater Memphis Greenline was the organization that began negotiations with CSX six years ago that stopped CSX from selling its rail bed piecemeal, and allowed us to create a "rail-to-trail" that is now the Shelby Farms Greenline. Our organization is dedicated to creating an integrated nonmotorized transportation system throughout Memphis and Shelby County, and we look forward to the day when this first 6 miles becomes a trivial portion of our entire interlaced network.

We are working on other projects, including Livable Memphis' work to connect the Tillman terminus of the Greenline with the east side of Overton Park, as well as efforts to bike-lane the old Harahan Bridge, and the purchase of the remaining 7 miles of the CSX line to extend the Greenline into Cordova.

We are negotiating with the Union Pacific railroad to buy a 2-mile section of an unused rail bed along Chelsea and Firestone avenues, which will end very near Mud Island, which, together with a bike lane on McLean, will provide a safe route from Mud Island into the western side of Overton Park and then on to the Greenline and Shelby Farms. We are assessing the 400 miles of easements underneath electrical lines, and hope to prioritize them to begin developing bike lanes there. We also are assessing other unused rail lines within the city and county, to determine if any are appropriate for further development.

When we have accomplished these projects, and others that will emerge through the years, property values will rise. If this extra tax money is routed to further increase and improve the nonmotorized bike lane trail system, it won't be too long before we get more than an honorable mention.

Robert A. Schreiber

President, Board of Directors Greater Memphis Greenline Memphis