MARVIN MANDEL, Governor

3063

(1)  The establishment of the footpaths, bridle paths
or horse trails and bicycle trails would be contrary to
public safety;

(2)   The cost of establishing the footpaths, bridle
paths or horse trails and bicycle trails would be
excessively disproportionate to the need or to the
probable use thereof; or

(3)  The sparsity of population, the existence of
other available ways or other factors demonstrate an
absence of any need for the footpaths, bridle paths or
horse trails and bicycle trails.

(f) As used in this section, "bicycle trails" means
a publicly owned and maintained lane, way or path
designated, by appropriate signs OR OTHER APPROPRIATE
DESIGNATORS, for use as a bicycle route. IT IS THE
POLICY OF THE STATE THAT DEVELOPMENT OF BICYCLE TRAILS IS
[[OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE]] IMPORTANT AND THEIR
[[IMMEDIATE]] CONSTRUCTION IS ENCOURAGED WHENEVER
FEASIBLE.

211-I.

(b) The State Highway Administration shall conduct a
five—year secondary highway construction and
reconstruction program. (1) Each year the secondary
highway program for the next succeeding budget year of
the Administration shall be submitted in the
Administration's budget to the General Assembly for its
review and approval. [Such] THE program shall include
the highway projects , INCLUDING BICYCLE TRAILS,
scheduled during such budget year and the degree of
completion anticipated. Concurrently the remaining four
years of the five—year secondary highway program shall be
submitted to the General Assembly for its information.
If the Administration for any reason is unable to perform
in accordance with the scheduling set forth in the annual
programs it is directed to explain to the next session of
the General Assembly any change in the scheduling of a
particular project included in preceding year's programs.
Projects comprising the five—year secondary highway
programs shall be derived from the twenty—year needs
study which will be subject to local participation as set
forth in § 211—O of this article. Prior to the annual
submission of the five—year secondary highway program to
the General Assembly, the State Highway Administration
shall consult with the local area and municipal
government officials with respect to the inclusion of
highway projects and the establishment of construction
priorities. In order to insure full advantage from
competitive bidding, it is the legislative intent that
the Administration shall, whenever practicable separate