by SC Feature Writer Reanna Haase
At the Sanibel Parks and Recreational Advisory Committee meeting on Oct. 15, Public Works Deputy Director Scott Krawczuk and Public Information Officer Eric Jackson updated members on city projects.
Shared-Use Paths– Krawczuk told the committee that phase two of the Hurricane Ian shared-use path repairs down the SanCap corridor is designed and will go to FDOT for review. The project will resurface remaining sections and widen paths from six to eight feet and eight to 10 feet where feasible. The city hopes to bid after the holidays and begin construction after Easter 2027.
A separate proposed path on the north side of Wildlife Drive would be eight feet wide from the “Ding” Darling exit to Wulfert Boulevard, widening to 10 feet toward Sanibel-Captiva Road where space allows. Its schedule depends on wetlands permitting; construction could begin in late summer or fall 2027.
The entire repair project has about $4 million in grant funding available.
Bike Safety – Jackson outlined Sanibel’s bike-safety education efforts Thursday. A 2019 city ordinance limited e-bikes on shared-use paths to Class 1. Since then, the city has used signage, ranger outreach, videos, and digital advertising to educate path users.
In early 2026, the city incorporated bike and crosswalk safety into its Slow Down Sanibel campaign for drivers. A separate digital bike-safety campaign ran from July through October. As of the report shared at the meeting, it has generated more than 256,000 impressions, reached more than 111,000 users and received 1,291 clicks through Meta and Google ads.
City Council is discussing a proposal to let residents and on-island employees register Class 2 and 3 e-bikes for use on the shared-use path. Jackson said the city would adapt its education materials if the rules change. The proposal would include reading and signing a path code of conduct. The proposal has not yet been adopted.
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