by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Sanibel Recreation Director Andrea Phillips presented the latest survey of the usage on the shared use paths (SUP) at the council’s April 21 meeting.
In the past two studies, 2025 and 2026, the surveys were conducted in mid-March, she explained, and a reasonable margin of error must be considered, as volunteers were responsible for observing and recording usage with the human eye and hand-written tally sheets.
“It should also be noted that these studies were conducted less than four years after Hurricane Ian struck Sanibel Island, and about two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton did considerable damage as well,” Phillips’ report stated.
· Total overall users of all types at SUP locations have increased to more than 7,000 participants (7,091 in 2026). The second-closest total was in 2012, with 4506, up 64 percent.
· Total users on the SUP have increased by 42 percent since the original study in 2006 and almost doubled since the study from 2025 (3,982 to 7,091).
· More than one-half of the total pedestrian traffic (840 of 1,621; 52 percent) on the SUP was observed at the West Gulf and Tarpon Intersection; this location also had the highest usage of all locations at 1,700 users (six total intersections were considered).
· Electric bicycles represent 16 percent of total bicycle riders on the SUP, with 868 E-bikes observed. For this study, all intersections recorded equal distribution of E-bike activity; whereas, in 2025, a large majority (42 percent) of E-bikes were observed at only two intersections on Sanibel-Captiva Road. The e-bike class was not recorded.
· Bicycle usage on the road has trended up and is at an all-time high, up by 40 percent from 2025 and over doubling since 2006 (68 to 151). Worth noting, various locations have led each year the study has been conducted. Leading the charge in 2026 were Periwinkle Way and East Gulf Drive.
· The number of bike riders wearing helmets has decreased slightly over the past year (down just 2 percent from 2025), representing 41 percent of all bicyclists. In 2006, 37 percent of bicyclists wore helmets, a figure that remained consistent in the 2012 study, where 38 percent wore helmets.
· Rental bike users have increased by 64 percent since 2006 and more than 105 percent since 2025.
“We do see a decrease in helmet use,” said City Manager Dana Souza. “We will do a public information campaign to encourage helmet use.”
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