BikeWalkLee's local representatives, including new reps in Cape Coral and FGCU

BikeWalkLee welcomes two new local representatives-- Cape Coral rep, Nick Dekker; and FGCU rep, Diane Odeh. Thanks to our outgoing Cape rep, Steve Chupack, for his terrific work these past five years. Thanks to all seven of BWL's local reps for keeping our network informed and involved in what's happening around the county.

Background
BikeWalkLee has been involved in advocacy on a countywide basis, participating in Lee County MPO meetings and committees, and in the Board of County Commission committees and hearings. While the majority of transportation decisions that affect bike/ped/transit facilities and complete streets policies are made in these two bodies, the local jurisdictions (Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, and the new Village of Estero) also make bike/ped decisions on their local roads as well as influence decisions on county maintained roads. In the past couple of years, the cities have played a leadership role in implementing complete streets and focusing on bike/ped safety in their local jurisdictions.

Beginning in 2011, BikeWalkLee designated local representatives in each jurisdiction. Click here to the updated list and bios of our local representatives. These individuals serve as our “point persons” who lead the local advocacy efforts and keep the BWL network informed about what’s happening in their jurisdiction. Great things are happening in the local jurisdictions and our local representatives are in the thick of things.

New Local Representatives
Cape Coral Representative:  Nick Dekker grew up in the Netherlands. He is a graduate of the University of Groningen and has been living in Lee County since 2009. He runs a small IT security and Web consultancy firm and has been a consultant in the IT field for years. In earlier life he was a driving instructor in the Netherlands.

Nick Dekker

 His work and private life makes him a frequent visitor of Europe where he has witnessed many improvements in city infrastructure over the last decades. Nick grew up riding bicycles and he tries to continue this lifestyle in Florida. He has a strong commitment to improving safety for vulnerable road users and creating a livable community, and is also a member of the Cape Coral Bike-Ped team.  

FGCU Representative: Diane Odeh is a program assistant at FGCU and a graduate student in the University's Masters of Public Administration program. She has lived in Fort Myers since 2011. Prior to that, she lived in Ithaca, New York. Diane holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Oklahoma State University. Her research interests include mechanisms of empowerment, equity, and human capital in communities. She is a life-long walker and has a personal passion for ensuring safer communities.

Diane Odeh

A special thanks from the BikeWalkLee team to Steve Chupack, who has been a terrific Cape Coral rep for the past five years.  He played a key role in bringing new bike lanes to the Cape, launched the first annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo for students, and helped launch the Cape Coral Bike-Ped group (CCBP), which is doing great things in the Cape.

Steve Chupack

Here's the full list of our representatives:
 Bonita Springs:       Sarah Baker
 Cape Coral:             Nick Dekker

 Estero:                     Doug Saxton

 Fort Myers:             Dan Moser

 Fort Myers Beach:  Bruce Butcher
 Sanibel:                  Tom Sharbaugh
 FGCU:                    Diane Odeh

Click here for bios and contact information on our local reps.

So, if you live in one of these jurisdictions and want to get involved or have questions, contact our representative for that area.

 Report by Darla Letourneau