provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Leaders of the City of Sanibel, along with several members of the Sanibel Bicycle Club and residents of the community, gathered on Oct. 19 at City Hall as the Sanibel Bicycle Club (SBC) presented two new e-Bikes to the Sanibel Police Department’s Shared Use Path (SUP) Ranger Program.
The newly formed Sanibel Path Rangers are a division of the Sanibel Police Department. They are tasked with promoting safety and providing education for proper path use and rule enforcement on our island’s extensive SUP system.
Jim Meyer, current President of the Sanibel Bicycle Club, kicked off the event and thanked the City’s leadership for the 30-year partnership in making Sanibel one of the area’s top cycling destinations.
City of Sanibel Mayor, Michael Miller, who is also a member of the SBC, addressed the group stating, “The City gratefully accepts the Club’s donation to fund the acquisition of two e-bikes for use of the City’s Rangers” and recognized the Club’s significant contributions over the years to preserving the utility and safety of the community’s shared use paths.
Deputy Chief of Police Dr. Anthony Thompson also expressed his appreciation, saying, “Your contribution directly enhances our ability to patrol the island’s pathways, respond quickly to community needs, and engage with residents and visitors in a more sustainable and accessible way.”
For over 30 years, SBC has worked closely with the City of Sanibel, advocating for safety and improvements of the SUP system. The Club’s contributions have been significant and include such activities as organized annual path cleanup campaigns, path surveys to address areas needing repair, advocating for better safety signage on the paths, and assisting with the creation of a SUP master plan.
The SBC’s Sanibel Trails in Motion Fund, a fund of Collaboratory, made the donation of the e-Bikes possible. The Trails in Motion Fund (TIM) supports SUP infrastructure, safety, and education, and is managed by the Fort Myers Collaboratory. This non-profit community foundation provides funding through grants identified by the SBC. Funding for the TIM comes from donations made by club members and other interested community members.
The SBC currently has an opportunity to expand the fund through an anonymous matching grant. Any donation made to the TIM before Jan. 1, 2026, will be matched up to $10,000 to continue supporting the City of Sanibel as it restores and improves the SUP system.
You can learn more about the Trails in Motion Fund by visiting the Sanibel Bicycle Club website.
Donations can be made by credit card through the Club’s website, or donors may send a check to: Sanibel Trails in Motion Fund, Fort Myers Collaboratory, 2031 Jackson Street, Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33901
For further information, contact SBC President, Jim Meyer: meyerjm400@aim.com
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