The Sanibel Bicycle Club

June 20, 2005

Dear Mayor Johnston and Council Members,

I am taking this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Bob Lynd, the incoming president of the Sanibel Bicycle Club for the year 2005 – 2006. Though our home is New Mexico, my wife and I have treasured Sanibel since 1984. As a charter member of the Sanibel Bicycle Club, I continue to be fully dedicated to the mission of the Club.

The Club has consistently and proactively recommended improvements to enhance the safety for all users of the island's shared-use paths. We have been pleased to note that Council in recent years has budgeted increased funding for the maintenance of existing paths and monies for the construction of additional paths. Even though Hurricane Charley caused some temporary setbacks, we remain focused on maintaining pre-hurricane momentum and examining pathway opportunities presented as a result of the hurricane. For example, creating a path on the north side of Periwinkle Way.

Most recently, three issues of paramount interest to the Sanibel Bicycle Club have come to the forefront. One concerns a new path which has been referred to as the "Periwinkle Bypass", the introduction of Segways on the island, and the Periwinkle Corridor Restoration.

1) Periwinkle Bypass: We have been advocating the construction of a path off Periwinkle Way since the inception of the Club in late 1994. In the past two years an active effort has been made to accomplish this goal. After long, arduous and expensive efforts, the City began negotiations with the land owners, appraised the right of way, and budgeted funds to purchase the land. (Note: The actual construction of a path could come later; the land is what's required first!) Now it seems that Charley may have interfered in this purchase. It would be a shame to lose any more momentum gained for this project, having to make new appraisals and losing the monies that already have been invested in this project. We encourage Council to continue the acquisition of the land as quickly as funds are available to avoid increased expense associated with new appraisals, legal costs, etc. and prevent the waste of already expended funds.

2) Segways: Although, not opposed to Segways, per se, we are concerned about increased usage of shared-use paths and the concomitant reduction of safety on the paths. We recommend the 18-month permit granted to Billy Kirkland be used as an evaluation period during which time statistical data should be gathered on path-traffic density as related to path width and what is the safety impact resulting. During this period, only Billy’s tour Segways, no others, should be allowed on the paths. This position was iterated at your June 21 meeting by our member, Joel Ospa.

3) Periwinkle Corridor Restoration: Sanibel Bicycle Club member, Brenda Tate has recently sent a “comment paper” to the City Manager and the City’s consultant on this subject. In summary, we again expressed our concerns for the safety of shared-use path users vis-a-vis motorized vehicles and visibility issues commensurate with vegetation re-planting, In addition, we cited the unique opportunity to expand and enhance the existing path structures.

Finally, be assured that the Sanibel Bicycle Club will continue to work with City Council and Staff for the safety and betterment of Sanibel's shared-use path systems.

Yours truly,

Bob Lynd

President, Sanibel Bicycle Club