As we celebrate Minneapolis' advances in biking, a safe, heavily used trail is under assault with little discussion. Temporary freight rails along the Kenilworth trails are being made permanent as light rail is also added in the corridor, leaving no space for the existing biking and walking trails. These trails are exactly those described in "Women urged to turn to two-wheeled transport" (June 8). They are safe and separated from traffic, and provide convenient access to business areas for many neighborhoods.

I am a woman who has used these trails for grocery shopping, biking my kids to school, running errands, quiet walks, and accessing restaurants with my family. My husband also commutes downtown year-round on the Kenilworth trail. And it's not just us. Living by the trail for the last six years, we have seen a dramatic increase in use, both commuters and recreational users. I feel safe on these trails; they need to be preserved as separated trails and not rerouted, as proposed. If the current plan for the Kenilworth corridor proceeds, Minneapolis loses an important link that is part of our standing as a premier park and trail city. A reminder that we need to preserve what we value.

Julie Sabo, Minneapolis

• • •

Dense areas have the most versatile and efficient transportation provided by buses. The Southwest and Northwest light-rail routes bypass the densely populated areas in Minneapolis because it is fiscally responsible to do so ("Dense areas need transit the most," Readers Write, June 8). Planners do not want to replace an efficient bus with an unproven train.

The purpose of light rail is to bring new riders to public transportation. I thank our elected officials for trying to retain fiscal responsibility while building for our future. It's a tough balancing act.

Tom Hatton, Minneapolis