SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Department of Transportation announces the release of the new 2004 Utah Bicycle Commuter Guide, a 16-page booklet that encourages Utahn’s to try safe bicycling to get to work.

"We wanted to create a guide that would be easy to read and provide helpful information to those wanting to commute via bicycle," Sharon Briggs, UDOT’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator said. "A vigorous bike ride is a fun and healthy way to start your day. It also helps our transportation system work better by lowering the number of cars and trucks using the road."

The guide’s primary goal is to make sure that those who bicycle commute know how to do it safely.

"We included everything from making sure a bike is ready for the trip, to the proper equipment and attire a bicyclist would need, to what the state laws are regarding bicycling on our roads," Briggs said. "We want to make sure that anyone who rides a bike to work, does it as safely as possible."

The guide is available via a free download (PDF) on the UDOT Web site at www.udot.utah.gov.

4:30:05 PM    

Today, Gov. Olene Walker announced the state of Utah closed the 2004 fiscal year, which ended June 30, with a preliminary surplus of $52.8 million*. The surplus represents 1.48 percent of the combined General Fund and Uniform School Fund budgets. The surplus is the result of higher than expected sales tax and income tax revenues.

"This is good news and a sign the economy is recovering," said Walker from the Republican National Convention in New York City. "I’ll consider this one-time surplus when I make my final budget recommendations to the Legislature in December."

In addition to the surplus noted above, $22.8 million was transferred to the General Fund Rainy Day Fund, bringing its balance to $54.0 million. Twelve million dollars were transferred to the Uniform School Fund Rainy Day Fund bringing its balance to $12.6 million. Also, state law required $4.4 million be set aside for the Industrial Assistance Fund, and $1.6 million be set aside for bond payments.

*The state auditor will review the surplus and the total is subject to change.

4:28:24 PM