BikeWalkLee Lakes Park event this Sunday, March 28th!

BikeWalkLee kicks off countywide bike/ped master plan development at March 28 Lakes Park event

Organize your bike group, running partners and neighborhood -- or just come solo to Lakes Park on Sunday, March 28, to provide input to Lee County's bike/ped master planners working on the countywide bike/ped master plan. The event is organized by BikeWalkLee, who will have maps for you to mark-up and other materials.
We’ll also offer short bike-skills clinics for adults and children at no cost -- good for riders of all skill sets and focused on making you safer and more comfortable on your bike no matter the circumstances. Bring your own bike and helmet (it’s required for any on-bike activities), and drop-in anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Shelter B-2 (straight ahead from the main park entrance).
The Lee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) took the initiative in September 2008 to request the development of a countywide bicycle pedestrian master plan. After development of the scope of work by the MPO, a consultant (RWA Consulting of Fort Myers)was selected at the beginning of 2010; work is just beginning on the development of the plan, which is to be completed by December 2010.
The purpose of the plan is to:
• Effectively integrate bicycle and pedestrian travel on the county’s transportation system.
• Create a more livable environment.
• Allow for viable mobility choices for commuting as well as for recreational purposes.
• Seeks to improve bike/ped access to major trip attractions.
The goal of the plan is to provide a safe accessible and connected bike/ped system, to create a more consistent network of facilities across government jurisdictional boundaries. The plan will identify gaps in our existing bike/ped network, provide a blueprint for filling those gaps, and recommend policies and programs needed to better support bicycle and pedestrian activity. The implementation plan will have both short-term and long-term components.
BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County—streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. For more information, visit

BikeWalkLee and the county staff look forward to seeing you on Sunday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers.

See the lead story on the "Great Outdoors" page of News-Press on March 25th.