Keep motorized vehicles, leaf blowers away from bike paths

To the editor:

People trying to use our bike paths cannot breathe safely for hours after dirt bikes, leaf blowers, or four-wheelers are used near bike paths, and just when it is safe again, another four-wheeler or dirt bike races by! Even when we think that all the dust has settled, and that it is safe to use a bike path, the invisible, fine, dust particles still hang in the air, and these are the most dangerous to our lungs. This is because the human body is equipped to effectively rid itself of larger particles that settle out of the air quickly, but fine particles get trapped deeply in our lung alveoli and scar tissue forms over them, which permanently damages our lungs, causing silicosis, emphysema, COPD, and early death.

So, dirt bikes, four-wheelers and leaf (dust) blowers should be restricted from use within 300 yards of any bike path, during times that an air quality warning of poor air quality has been issued. Enacting such an ordinance or law, is something that we can and should do to enhance our quality of life in the Mat-Su Borough, and to improve the health of our citizens, who are trying to stay healthy using our great bike paths. Please, send an email in support of this to Mat-Su Borough manager, John Moosey at john.moosey@matsugov.us and contact your assemblyperson about this important issue.

Daniel N. Russell

Willow