Bicycle, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

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.

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).