The sidepaths of Dakota County have typically been plowed the past few years. My commute often takes me up Lexington Avenue, which has sidepaths down both sides. While I am typically no fan of sidepaths, I grant them their especial utility for winter commuting when plowed. It helps when there are paths on both sides of the street, to help users travel with prevailing traffic.

This year? The only part of the sidepaths I’ve seen plowed appear to have been cleared by neighboring property owners.

My suspicion, which I have yet to confirm, is this is one way to help deal with budget shortfalls and an anticipated drop in state aid to communities.

Given that Minneapolis is doomed to be especially impacted by the drop in state aid, I wonder if we’re looking at the end of the regular clearance of commuter byways such as the Midtown Greenway?

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Author: julie

Julie Kosbab is an online marketing consultant and active transportation advocate living in Anoka County, Minnesota. She was one of Minnesota's only League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors when certified in 2005. She is a past member of the National Bicycle Tour Directors Association. She has 2 children and 4 bicycles. Find her on Twitter as @betweenstations.