Guest Commentary
by Patti Sousa
President, Sanibel
Bicycle Club
November 6, 2006
What Is Your
Vision for Sanibel’s Shared Use Path System?
There is an important happening coming to Sanibel on November 16th that you won’t want to miss—an opportunity to share your ideas and concerns about Sanibel’s shared use path system, both current and future.
Sanibel’s 23-mile shared use pathway system is one of the three crown jewels of Sanibel—along with our beaches and wildlife. It is a treasure that reflects the visionary foresight of our City’s leaders and its citizens. The path system is a fundamental part of what makes Sanibel Sanibel--it is environmentally friendly, and represents an appreciation for our sanctuary island and our nature-centered quality of life.
In spite of the path system’s importance to Sanibel life,
our treasured path system has been taken for granted over the years and has not
been developed and maintained at a level consistent with its importance. Consequently, parts of the system are not up
to the standards expected by the Sanibel community. Over the past decade, there has been a
substantial increase in path usage and types of activities on the paths,
resulting in increasing safety concerns.
Last year,
The Plan being developed needs to be a blueprint for
action—not just another document gathering dust on the shelf. The Plan is not just a written product—it is
a process—an opportunity for the community to become involved in the
enhancement of the path system, an opportunity to build consensus. The process is as important as the product,
since community support and enthusiasm for the Plan is critical to its
potential implementation. As Mayor
The Sanibel Bicycle Club, with almost 300 members, encouraged the Council to undertake this effort. We strongly support the development of a comprehensive, integrated, and visionary plan for enhancing our existing path network that is in harmony with Sanibel’s environment and our community. We want the paths to be safer and more enjoyable for all users—bikers, walkers, joggers, and bladers. To be safer, we envision paths that are of high quality design, well maintained, well paved, and clear of intrusive vegetation; wide enough for different types of users (e.g., bikers and walkers), protected from automobile traffic, well planned crossing points, and good visibility. We envision a path system that encourages people to park their cars and use the paths for exercise, transportation, errands, and recreation. Our vision for the future includes extending the pathways to make more of our island accessible and easy to get to—paths that go where you want to go, with clear signs and directions, with convenient and pleasant rest stops. A comprehensive, long-term, and visionary Plan can help insure that we use our resources wisely. It will also allow the City to qualify for available Federal and State funding for path enhancements.
What is your vision for Sanibel’s shared-use path system? Everyone has a stake in this system—all users of the path; property owners who have guests who use the path, including your children and grandchildren; visitors to the island; island workers and commuters; Sanibel School students; businesses and residences along the path; businesses that cater to path users; realtors who promote the Sanibel quality of life; home owner associations; drivers that interact with the paths and its users, etc.
We are all affected by Sanibel’s shared use path system in some way. We all have a stake in the future of this resource. That is why it is so important for everyone to participate in this community process. So, mark your calendars for Thursday, November 16th. Stop by Schein Hall at BIG Arts anytime between 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. to share your ideas and concerns about the path system with consultant representatives who are putting together the Master Plan for the City. Come and be heard!
Patti Sousa
President
Sanibel Bicycle Club