Bike Trails

Bonita Springs residents were hoping to get a resolution last week for a 14-mile linear park project that would connect the city to Florida’s statewide network of multi-use trails. But opposition to the project from some residents and pending studies must be resolved first. Residents of The Vines, a community split by railroad tracks to be used as the trail, urged that the trail ends at Estero Parkway, shown here.

Bonita-Estero Bike Trail moves on to funding right-of-way acquisition

Trust for Public Land announced last week that it reached an agreement with Seminole Gulf Railway to purchase 14.9 miles of right-of-way from Alico Road to just south of the Lee-Collier County line for the Bonita-Estero Bike Trail (BERT). The Trust has until March 2026 to raise the money.Using the railroad right-of-way has been talked about for years, said Robert Fay, executive vice-president of the family-run shortline railroad. The railroad stopped using the track after the 2008 recession. Only two businesses were using the line, then one moved to Fort Myers and the second stopped shipping by rail.

The city of Sanibel is seeking input in a survey on bicycling experiences in the community.

Health

DeSoto tops list of Florida's most dangerous counties for cyclists

WGCU Staff

• DeSoto named the most dangerous county in Florida for cyclists, averaging over 17 cyclists involved in a fatal collision per 100,000 people.

Attorney Lindsay Brinton speaks to landowners who may be affected by a proposed rails to trails project in Estero and Bonita Springs. At this meeting in Estero, Brinton and another lawyer spoke with people about their rights if a rail line is turned into a trail for bicyclists.

Transportation

Landowners affected by proposed Bonita Estero Rail Trail debate about values to home and community

Gwendolyn Salata

The proposed conversion of an unused railbed into a public trail between Bonita Beach and Alico roads has developed into a tug-of-war between trail proponents and homeowners along part of the proposed route.

Human Interest

Sanibel seeking input on bicycle-friendly community survey

WGCU Staff

In 2018, the city was awarded "Gold" status as a Bicycle-Friendly Community and it has applied again for that status from the League of American Bicyclists.

Democracy Watch

Future of Bonita Springs to Estero rail-to-trail project is unclear

Gwendolyn Salata

At the January 18 Bonita Springs city council meeting, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), who which commissioned the research for the project, presented multiple alternatives for the trail. The two most favored alternatives, according to the study, would replace the existing Seminole Gulf Railway (SGR) with a path that runs through Bonita Springs and Estero. It would start at Bonita Beach Road and end at Alico Avenue.

Miami-Naples Bike Path Faces Critical Vote in Collier County

Matthew F Smith

The "River of Grass Greenway," a proposed 75-mile bike trail along US-41 that would link Naples to Miami, faces a critical vote in Collier County today.…

Calls for Safe Roads, Smart Growth ahead of Transportation Summit

John Davis

In a state among the deadliest in the nation for bicyclists and pedestrians, Southwest Florida ranks among the most dangerous parts of the state for those…

Aerial view of the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41)

Everglades Bike Path: Yea Or Nay?

Ebony Joseph

The window for public comment on the latest Everglades tourism project is closing soon. The controversial River of Grass Greenway (ROGG) would be a 75...

Supporters cheering outside as activists deliver comments to Miami-Dade city planners.

Deadline Extended To Comment On Everglades Bike Path

Ebony Joseph

Dozens of activists met outside Miami-Dade County's Stephen P. Clark Center chanting and carrying banners with phrases like “Neverglades or...

Environment

Statewide Bike Trail Advocates Want Amendment One Money

Ashley Lopez

Advocates for a project that could connect the entire state via bike trails hope to get a chunk of new dedicated funding from Amendment One.The big plan…