by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Shared Use Path Master Plan was developed in 2009 by the City of Sanibel to provide both residents and visitors a recreational and leisure way of transportation throughout the island. At the beginning and throughout its enhancements, the safety of shared use path users is one of the highest priorities in the City’s Master Plan.
In 2006 and 2012, surveys were conducted to assess traffic at notable intersections along the shared use path. Since then, two recent surveys have been conducted in 2024 and 2025 to evaluate usage trends and track the continued emergence of E-bikes on the SUP.
Total overall SUP users of all types have increased by 72 percent since 2024. Total bicycle riders on the SUP have increased by 48 percent since the original study in 2006 and more than doubled since 2024. One quarter of total bicyclists were observed at the Periwinkle and Casa Ybel Intersection.
Electric bicycles represent 15 percent of total riders on the SUP, with 588 observed. Forty-two percent of E-bikes were observed at the two intersections at San-Cap Road. For this study, the E-bike class was not recorded.
Total pedestrian SUP usage is up 51 percent since 2024.
Just 43 percent of bike riders were wearing helmets.