The allocation of state transportation dollars for bicycle and pedestrian paths was short-lived.

Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal eliminates the $2.5 million that had been dedicated to bike and pedestrian projects annually. The allocation of gas tax and other transportation revenue was included in the 2009-'11 budget.

Overall, the state dollars were a small portion of the money available to add bike trails and make street improvements to assist pedestrians. Federal grants through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program totaled more than $140 million in the past 12 years. Transportation Enhancement awards also provided millions for similar projects.

The future of those funds are uncertain also, depending on the reauthorization of the federal transportation bill.

In a pre-election interview, Walker offered qualified support for bike paths and the use of federal dollars to improve them.

"I don't have a problem with it as long as it doesn't take away from fixing existing infrastructure," Walker said. "If we fix the crumbling roads and bridges, then I"m willing to look at other things, like bike paths."

Kevin Hardman, executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, said advocates would work to convince legislators to restore the money.

"We think this jeopardizes future projects and jeopardizes projects that already have been awarded federally money," Hardman said. "An investment i cycling gives Wisconsin an incredibly high return."

He encouraged supporters to sign up to join the lobbying effort at the Bike Summit on April 19.

Meanwhile, the City of Los Angeles has taken a different direction in its support of bicycling.

On Tuesday, the city council approved a new blueprint for the city's streets that shifts focus away from automobiles.

As the Los Angeles Times reported, the bicycle master plan calls for an eventual network of 1,680 miles of interconnected bikeways, including more than 200 miles of new bicycle routes every five years. It also calls for a safety campaign to educate drivers about sharing the streets.

"It's a cultural shift toward different types of transportation," said Councilman Ed Reyes, one of the plan's major proponents. The challenge now, he and other lawmakers said, will be in implementing it.

The City Council agreed last year to put 10% of the city's share of money from Measure R, the 2008 sales tax to support transportation projects countywide, toward initiatives for cyclists and pedestrians.

Locally, the Milwaukee Business By Bike organization held its kick off meeting Tuesday night in the Pilot House Room of the Discovery World Museum. The coalition of businesses was formed to advocate for more investment in bicycling.

Dave Schlabowske provides added information on his Over the Bars in Milwaukee blog, including a report on the remarks of John Burke, president of Trek Bicycle Corporation.