The Santiva Chronicle publishes opinions and letters on topics that are important to Sanibel and Captiva. They may be submitted via e-mail at news@santivachronicle.com. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the Santiva Chronicle.
I am a full-time resident on Sanibel, a keen walker and biker. As such, I am fully aware that our seashells and bike paths are major attractions that encourage tourism on our island. There is one safety issue however that I feel needs to be addressed.
I am one of many who walk Pond Apple Trail daily. This season more than ever before, cyclists in large numbers have taken to Pond Apple Trail for an off-road experience. The trail is narrow and winding with uneven surfaces of sand and bumpy roots. There is only enough room for two persons to walk side by side. Many of the cyclists have not been on a bike since their youth. Turn a corner and you are confronted head on by wobbly riders. The only escape is into the dense foliage.
This is ridiculous and dangerous. With 22 miles of shared bike paths on Sanibel, I would ask our new Mayor and City Councillors to post signage on our nature trails FOR PEDESTRIAN USE ONLY. We protect our turtles. We have to protect our pedestrians too.
Nessa Adelson
I totally agree! The influx of novice bikers has created unsafe conditions for walkers and other bikers. For whatever reason a majority of bikers that I come across act like they have priority on the paths… they are shared! Even the common courtesy of announcing “passing on your left” is no longer done. Come on mayor and council members keep us safe!
I would like to continue to wobble along on my bicycle on the Apple Pond Trail.