Press Release

Sanibel Island Bicycle Club

Date:  January 14, 2006

Contact:  Darla Letourneau 472-1179        

SANIBEL BICYCLE CLUB’S

PATH CLEAN-UP DAY A SUCCESS

On January 12th, the Sanibel Bicycle Club sponsored the island’s 4^th annual clean-up day of Sanibel’s shared-use paths.  A record 44 Club members and other friends of the paths turned out on a beautiful sunny day to make the clean-up an overwhelming success.  If you were driving around Sanibel Thursday morning, you couldn’t help but notice the paths dotted with people in orange vests, sporting Sanibel Bicycle Club yellow T-shirts, stooping over to pick up litter.  Much of the litter on the paths was small in size, with plenty of cigarette packaging and butts, candy wrappers, fast food containers, plastic ice bags, bottles, cans, packing peanuts, etc.   The East End team found the most unique item--a dead immature great horned owl.    

Past President George Sousa organized this year’s Path Clean-up Day, assisted by four team leaders: Jane and Mike Gieryic; Jim Drotleff; Tom McCarthy; and Charlie and Norma Emerson.  Participants were pleased to find the path system less littered this year than in previous years, so there was less trash to be collected.  The four teams covering the island’s 23 miles of bike paths picked up about 90 bags of litter, including 30 bags of recyclables, for a total estimated 148 lbs. of litter.  Billy’s Rentals picked up all this litter and disposed of it at the end of the event.

The Club’s President, Bob Lynd, said, “The Sanibel Bicycle Club is happy to provide this community service in support of the shared-use paths.   We hope that as the various users enjoy the paths during the year, that they will all do their part to keep the paths litter-free and safe.  The paths are one of the great treasures of this island, providing both valuable transportation and recreational uses.  We need to demonstrate our pride in our path system by keeping it litter-free and safe for all to enjoy.  I’d like to thank all the volunteers who participated in the clean-up day, and to thank the businesses that participated, especially Billy’s Rentals, for their assistance and support.” 

The Sanibel Bicycle Club was founded in 1994 and currently has about 250 members.  Its mission is three-fold: to expand the experience and enjoyment of island biking; to become an effective lobby to improve bicycling safety and infrastructure; and to be a congenial group of bicycling enthusiasts who socialize and bike together.   Anyone who supports the Club’s mission is welcome to join—you don’t have to be a cyclist.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Sanibel Bicycle Club or want to find out more information about the Club’s activities, call the Club’s President, Bob Lynd (472-2905) or visit the Club’s website:  www.sanibelbicycleclub.org.  The Club’s address is P.O. Box 951.