Team Punta Gorda seeks “bike-friendly" designation for City 

May 31, 2008 Charlotte Sun

by Nancy Prafke, CEO

TEAM Punta Gorda is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.  For more information, visit our website or call 941-637-TEAM (8326).

The Citizens’ Master Plan 2005 addresses greenbelt conservation that includes an open space plan with bicycle paths. To support this, Team formed a Rails-to-Trails (RTT) committee.  The name comes from the national program whose mission is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines. Team’s committee includes the City, County (including the Charlotte County Department of Health), bicycles clubs, and businesses.

A new challenge for TEAM Punta Gorda is to qualify our city for a national designation as a “bike-friendly” community.  Punta Gorda is well on its way through its sidewalk/trail network construction plan and “Share the Road” signs. Both are expressions of the City’s commitment to better accommodate bikers.

The RTT committee developed a short and long-range plan that encompasses its vision. The short-range focus is to increase public awareness of biking. Look for:

·         “Bike Week” June 7-14 whose theme is to “Save Money, Reduce Pollution and Save Gas.”  Citizens will be asked to “Bike to Work, Shop and Play.”

·         Proclamations by both the Punta Gorda City Council and Charlotte County Commissioners supporting “Bike Week.”

·         Police Department safety lectures, inspections and tips on courtesy as well as the law for motorists, bicyclists, the handicapped and pedestrians. Safety literature will be distributed along with free bike helmets for kids.

·         The “Brunch and Bikes” casual, no-spandex ride around Punta Gorda on Saturday, June 7. Enjoy free breakfast snacks from participating merchants. Bring your helmet. Children over 12 years of age welcome when accompanied by a parent.

·         In conjunction with the Hibiscus Festival, four bike tours are scheduled on Saturday, June 14: a 62-mile tour, a 30-mile trip, the “City Manager's Ride” which will be lead by the Punta Gorda City Manager, and a 6-mile Secret Hibiscus Garden self-paced family tour.

·         More ride information and registration forms are available at www.teampuntagorda.org.

The long-range plan is to provide safer access to bicyclists throughout the city and extending beyond our community including:

·         Expand the Harbor Walk from Fisherman’s Village east along the river to the trail near the hospital to accommodate both bikers and walkers.

·         Expand the planned Linear Park (Fisherman’s Village to Olympia) to eventually connect to sidewalks east of US 41 as well as to paths that will lead to The Great Loop.

·         Develop a trail on railroad property to Arcadia and south to Fort Myers with Punta Gorda as a hub.

·         Include a trail north through the county connecting to the new Sarasota bike trail.

As word spreads about our bike-friendly city/county it will have a significant impact on our economy, bringing more tourists and improving the economic diversity of our area. National data shows the return on public fund investment is around 10 to 1.

If becoming involved in the RTT project interests you, go to our website at www.teampuntagorda.org or call us at 637-8326. This is your chance to personally have an impact on our community. Your contributions are also welcome.