I have mixed feelings on this one. Sounds like the rail cars are keeping the city from ripping the tracks out with or without permission. Just what we need is more bike trails for taxpayers to maintain and for muggers to patrol. My uncle lives along a recently completed rail trail that has become the access point for thieves to break into his house and shop. Lived there for 50 years and never had any problems, trail was completed two years ago and his house and shop have been broken into 6 times and neighbors having similar
issues as well. Cops say thieves are using the trail to access properties, and thieves appear to be the only users of the trail as there are never any bikes on it. It cost taxpayers $20 million to build trail after local city forced the railroad to abandon the line with active shippers still on it, but city said line was "under utilized for freight and public would be better served by trail opportunities" so out the rails went, property went off the tax rolls and thieves moved in. Cost of homeowners insurance going through the roof due to all the claims.