You just can't get there from here

I know you've heard it before from me, but I just can't help myself: Why are cyclists and pedestrians treated like second-class travelers on our public rights of way?

The question is somewhat rhetorical because two road resurfacing projects disrupting motorists have made travel for cyclists and pedestrians — especially those with disabilities — technically impossible. Road contractors and managers from the Department of Transportation are not providing alternative access options for pedestrians and cyclists when sidepaths are blocked by construction.

If you've recently been on McGregor Boulevard between Whiskey Creek and Colonial, or on Colonial between Metro Parkway and I-75, you know that road work has made it slow-going for motorists. Still, roads remain open, and every attempt is made to move motor traffic as efficiently as possible, in spite of ongoing road work. For non-motorists, however, that's not the case, particularly for people with mobility limitations using assistive devices such as wheelchairs.

On McGregor, sections of sidewalks are torn up and replaced, and the sidewalk is closed, forcing pedestrians and cyclists to squeeze between road and work areas, or trespass onto private property to get around the obstacle. Stepping off the curb and into the road is another possibility for those on foot. But those in wheelchairs and pushing strollers are out of luck.

McGregor Boulevard During Resurfacing Colonial Boulevard has its own issues. Though no sidepaths are being renovated,

heavy equipment is stored and operated on them. Contractors — with, I assume, the approval of the DOT — simply closed the paths to all non-construction traffic.

Neither project offers an alternative route for pedestrians and cyclists. Yet when roads close for motorists, detours are assigned. Since sidepaths doesn't exist on much of the opposite side of either road, pedestrians and cyclists can't just cross the street — or six-lane highway — to continue on. In other words, as far as DOT is concerned, if you need to get from here to there by foot, bike, wheelchair or other human-powered method, you're on your own.

DOT's own policy, found in the Plans Preparation Manual, states, "…when an existing pedestrian way or bicycle way is located within a traffic control work zone, accommodation must be maintained and provision for the disabled must be provided. When existing pedestrian facilities are disrupted, closed or relocated in a Temporary Traffic Control zone, the temporary facility or route shall be detectable and include accessibility features consistent with the features present in the existing facility." Even the DOT considers this is lack of consideration unacceptable. So why isn't this the case on McGregor or Colonial? (Another rhetorical question that needs to be asked.)

BikeWalkLee news

BikeWalkLee is now a driving force behind making our community a better place by shaping policy that will help create a "Complete Street" transportation network. Despite construction zone problems, significant progress has been made, due in part to the efforts of BWL. Bike/ped grant projects have been approved, formal resolutions by official bodies have been authorized and partnerships with others sharing the same mission have been forged. To learn more and dbecome involved, visit www.bikewalklee.org. With your help, maybe we'll eventually have reasonable bike/ped access with every construction project.

— Dan Moser is league cycling instructor/ Trainer and a former bike/ped coordinator who cycles regularly for transportation, recreation, and fitness. He may be contacted at moserdeleon@juno.com or (239) 334-6417.

Upcoming Events

>>Running/Walking: FMTC Annual Membership Run 5K, Saturday, June 6, Colonial Elementary School, Fort Myers, www.ftmyerstrackclub.com

Firecracker 5K, Saturday, July 4, Pippin's Restaurant, Naples, www.gcrunner.org For details on these and other running events, check with the Fort Myers Track Club (www. ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Runners (www.3drunners.org). For Naples running information, visit Gulf Coast Runners' site (www. gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.com.

>>Cycling: Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club at www. caloosariders.com, Florida Mudcutters at www.mudcutters.org, Naples Pathways Coalition at www.naplespathways.org and Naples Velo at www.naplesvelo.com for more information on local bicycling activities, including weekly rides. The Florida Bicycle Association (www.floridabicycle. org) is your source for statewide happenings.

>>Triathlons/Duathlons: Junior Fitness Challenge Triathlon, Saturday, June 6, Sugden Park, Naples, www.gcrunner.org

Open Water Festival, Saturday, June 13, Fort Myers Beach, 1.5-mile run, 400m swim, 1.5- mile run. www.openwaterfestival.org