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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, businesses and
interested citizens. In 2009 the committee elected to change
its name to Spokes and Trails because we are seeking the use
of active rail right-of-ways for trails.
A new challenge for TEAM Punta Gorda is to qualify our city
for a national designation as a “Bicycle-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 Spokes and Trails 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:
- An annual “Bike Week” whose theme is to “Save
Money, Reduce Pollution and Save Gas.” Citizens
will be asked to “Bike to Work, Shop and Play.” This
includes Police Department safety lectures, inspections and
tips on courtesy as well as the law for motorists, bicyclists,
the handicapped and pedestrians.
- Quarterly, Saturday morning “Brunch and Bikes” casual,
no-spandex rides around greater Punta Gorda where riders enjoy
free breakfast snacks from participating merchants. Children
over 12 years of age welcome when accompanied by a parent.
Helmets required. Rides originate at the Acme Bicycle Shop.
- An annual bicycle tour scheduled on a spring Saturday that
includes both a 62-mile tour, a 30-mile trip, a 15-mile tour,
and the “City Manager's Ride” which will be led
by the Punta Gorda City Manager. Click on www.pedalandplayinparadise.com to
learn more about 'Pedal and Play In Paradise,' our annual
bicycle event.
The long-range plan is to provide safer access to bicyclists
throughout the city and extending beyond our community including:
- Expand the Harborwalk 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 Jones Loop Road.
- Develop a trail on railroad right-of-ways 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.
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