Bicycle and Pedestrian Program (Active Transportation)

The Lee County MPO’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program promotes safe, comfortable, and convenient bicycling and walking for people of all ages and abilities. The MPO supports “active transportation” through planning, funding, policy guidance, program management, and resource development.

Active transportation, which includes walking and cycling, is growing throughout Southwest Florida and particularly in Lee County. Educating the community about the benefits of a transportation system with such multimodal options is an integral part of the MPO’s transportation planning process. This region faces increasing traffic congestion and air quality concerns along with notable rates of obesity and diabetes. Bicycling and walking contribute to both individual and environmental health as well as to the overall efficiency of the transportation network. Importantly, too, bicycle and pedestrian networks that are accessible, direct, and continuous are shown to be economically beneficial to neighborhoods around them and to improve safety for everyone using the roadway.

Benefits of Active Transportation

Transportation Benefits – reduces traffic congestion, improves safety, calms traffic, preserves road infrastructure.
Economic Benefits – increased retail sales (restaurants, lodging establishments, retail stores), job creation, and enhancement of nearby property values.
Environmental Benefits – improved air quality and energy conservation.
Social Benefits – creates a better quality-of-life by living in communities with more open space and greenways that offer greater opportunities for walking or cycling.
Health & Fitness Benefits – it is well recognized Americans would benefit in many ways from a more active lifestyle. Bike lanes, sidewalks, and trails promote healthy choices.

In support of ongoing bicycle and pedestrian planning, the MPO works with state and county agencies to bring forward a multimodal transportation system that supports its Complete Streets policy. MPO staff works with public and private stakeholders to promote active transportation activities and projects. Together, the MPO and its stakeholders coordinate bicycle, pedestrian, greenway, and multi-purpose pathway projects, raise awareness about these projects and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians in Lee County, and also provide staff support to the MPO Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinating Committee (BPCC).

Safe Routes to Schools Program

Call for Project Proposals –

Periodically, the Lee MPO solicits proposals in Lee County for Florida Safe Route to School (SRTS) Program funds that will be available to public, private, and charter schools serving Kindergarten through High School. Eligible projects primarily include pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Lee MPO sign off is needed for all projects in Lee County. Proposals will be endorsed by the MPO Board after they are reviewed and recommended by MPO advisory committees. Thereafter, MPO staff will sign the completed applications, and transmit them to FDOT by the deadline. For more information, visit FDOT’s website: Safe Routes to Schools (opens new window)

Sample Instructions and Program Highlights, and Application Forms can be downloaded below:

INSTRUCTIONS AND PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS [PDF]

ELIGIBILITY EVALUATION AND RANKINGS CRITERIA [PDF]

SRTS APPLICATION FORMS:

SRTS Application [PDF version]

SRTS Application [DOC version]

PREVIOUS SRTS AWARDS:

2018 Award Letter for Edison Elementary [PDF]