By AP/KWMU
Columbia, MO – The city of Columbia, Mo. will soon become one of four test sites in the country for a program that aims to increase bicycle use.
The big highway bill that passed Congress last week includes $25 million to help Columbia build more bike paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, walking trails, and other pathways.
U.S. Senator Kit Bond says Columbia is a long-time leader in support alternate means of transportation. Bond chaired a key Senate subcommittee, which means he was a chief writer of the highway bill.
If President Bush signs it, Columbia will receive $5 million a year for the next five years to bolster its bike paths.
Columbia Mayor Darwin Hindman views the expansion as a mass transit project -- one that would give people more choice in how they get around town.