BIKE PATH MASTER PLAN MEETING

December 4, 2002

 

SUMMARY:

 

  • Insure accessibility to all areas of the island by bicycle.

 

  • Complete the five year plan to widen and repave current paths.

 

  • Complete the Periwinkle Way bypass and improve safety on the existing Periwinkle path.

 

  • Construct a path parallel to Periwinkle Way on the north side of Periwinkle Way from Causeway Road to Dunlop Road.

 

  • Explore Federal and State funding for Sanibel Bicycle paths.

 

  • Continue to beautify and maintain the path with Gazebos, vegetative barriers, trash and recycling containers while enhancing safety with adequate crossings, traffic delineators, signage, etc.

 

DISCUSSION:

 

Sanibel is fortunate to already have a rather comprehensive bike path system. The recent appropriation by the City Council to widen and repave the existing bike paths over a five year period will go a long way toward improving safety and usage. It is obvious to any observer that bike path usage has exploded in the past several years and many people use the paths as an alternative transportation system. Surveys show bicycling to be the favorite recreational activity on Sanibel. Whether this alleviates the traffic problem is a moot point but it cannot be denied that if a rider is on a bike, they are not in a car.

 

The paramount goal of the Bike Path Master Plan should be to insure that every part of the island is accessible by a safe, well-paved bicycle path with a minimum width of 8’ and provide for adequate maintenance. All paved city roads should have an alternative paved bike path designed to separate vehicular traffic from walkers, joggers, rollerbladers and cyclists. This would not only enhance safety but also encourage more use. Several specific routes come to mind. Continuing the path on Dixie Beach Blvd. to the bay is important because of the speed of the traffic on this long, straight road. Dunlop road past the library, city hall, and museum is a narrow, heavily traveled road that would benefit from a bicycle path to separate the bicycles from vehicular traffic. Another concern is the safety of bicycling on the causeway. At some point, provision for safe transit over the causeway must be made. Obviously, other roads such as Bowman’s Beach Road and Bailey Road should be considered for inclusion in the bike path system.

 

Completion of the Periwinkle Way path remains the number one priority since it represents the primary congestion and safety problem for bicyclists. Although the city has made a concerted effort to reduce the safety problems and relocate the path from the roadway, many difficulties have impeded this effort; an effort to resolve these problems and complete the path behind the Sanibel Steakhouse should have the highest priority. Continuing improvement of the existing Periwinkle path is necessary; however, another path on the North side of Periwinkle is badly needed.

 

Certainly, the second priority should be a path on the North side of Periwinkle that would provide an alternative route and serve to divert traffic away from the existing Periwinkle Way path. The path on the North side of Periwinkle would connect Causeway Road with the San-Cap path towards Captiva. Riders on the east end of the island would likely use this path to access the City Hall, Library, BIG Arts, the Historical Museum as well as Bailey’s shopping center, and the Post Office; or continue on San-Cap Rd. towards Ding Darling, The Shell Museum, SCCF Center and Bowman’s Beach. Children, especially, would benefit from a path on the North side of Periwinkle which would provide safe transit to the elementary school and playing fields in addition to the other destinations listed above. Over the years, there have been many discussions concerning the routing of a path on the North side of Periwinkle. It is recommended that Department of Public works conduct a feasibility study with some alternative routes for consideration.

 

An effort should be made to explore the availability of Federal and State funding to supplement local funds. With additional funding the long range goals become feasible much quicker as well as becoming more palatable to local residents.

 

In addition to the paths, other improvements should be included in the Master Plan. Gazebos to provide rest areas have proven popular and additional locations should be considered. Vegetative barriers not only beautify but also enhance safety. Trash and recycle containers strategically placed to reduce the litter on the paths would be helpful as well as a continuing study to assess the pedestrian crossings to assure safety in crossing busy roads.

 

There is probably no other place on earth that is more suited to bicycling in terms of climate, population and terrain. We should plan so that bicycling is a realistic transportation alternative on Sanibel; efficient, safe and healthful. If this is accomplished, the entire community will benefit.

 

The Sanibel Bicycle Club has been very pleased with the progress in improving the current paths thanks to citizen support, the City Council and the Department of Public Works. This document is focused on the larger and longer term issues facing Sanibel. We will continue to provide specific recommendations annually to the Public Works Dept. as well as to any other appropriate agency. We are anxious to support and help implement any plans developed by the city and stand ready to offer our opinions and comments on bike path issues when requested.

 

 

Return to Annual Letter

By Joe Letourneau (letournj@peoplepc.com)