Recently, I rode my bike on our decaying bike path from Florence onto Hadley’s and Amherst’s well-maintained paths. The surface of our path is mostly cracks and bumps, while our neighbors’ are smooth.

I’ve learned that a new vendor for Valley Bike has been found after the previous one went bankrupt. Northampton preferred that vendor as opposed to even considering a local electric bike franchiser. The population of Northampton is a steady 30,000, while the budget grows and grows, yet the roads and the bike paths deteriorate. Will it take a serious injury or worse for a speeding electric bike on our worn-out roads to get needed attention?

Bill Arnold

Florence