County's spin: More research needed

Four minutes and 48 seconds.

That’s roughly how long it takes to travel Hidden River Trail Road going at the posted 25 mph speed limit whether on a bike or in a car.

If someone is traveling at 20 mph, tack on an additional minute and a couple seconds.

Those are the numbers that Lakewood Ranch resident Carson Longo presented to the Manatee County Commissioners Dec. 15.

That time on the two-mile stretch between Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Lorraine Road has been a source of tension between drivers and bicyclists.

At the board meeting, commissioners considered an ordinance proposed by county staff that would allow the Sheriff’s Office to enforce the prohibition of bicycles riding on the street on Hidden River Trail, citing several complaints from residents about bicyclists holding up traffic.

According to the engineering plans, it was not designed to allow bicyclists on the street. The county has signs that prohibit bicycles and golf carts. But without an ordinance by the county, the Sheriff’s Office can’t enforce them.

The commissioners ultimately took no action on the proposal, but the proposal prompted discussion about how the county and community could solve the problem, share the road or eliminate one or the other, bikes or vehicles.

“This road is definitely a problem,” said Commissioner Vanessa Baugh. “Residents don’t have the patience even though the cyclists are going the speed limit.

Recreational bikers usually choose to ride on the 10-foot sidewalks next to the street, but bicycling clubs such as the Village Idiots, Sarasota Cycling Club and the Sarasota Storm Triathlon Club argue that it’s too dangerous for competitive bicyclists to ride on the sidewalks in groups of 20, going 20 to 25 mph, when the sidewalk is used by small children, pedestrians and people with pets.

“Safety first, fun second,” said Longo, who is also a member of the Village Idiots. “What’s the hurry of motorists to get around a bicyclist group?”

Paul Troyer, president of the club, said that while drivers have multiple options to drive from one side of Lakewood Ranch to another, bicyclists don’t. State Road 70 and University Parkway don’t have bike lanes, and with drivers whizzing by at 50, 60, even 70 mph, it’s just not safe for their group to take those routes.

“They’re using bike trail because it’s the only way. There’s nothing special about that road,” Baugh said to her commissioners. “I would like to see bike trails on University.”

Another idea was brought up by a bicyclist, and not shot down entirely by the commissioners.

Hidden River Trail Road is not a heavily-trafficked street. Would the easiest option be to shut down the street to vehicles and make it a cycling and foot-traffic path only?

While commissioners weren’t sure if the county could make such a maneuver, it wasn’t dismissed.

“We need to get a traffic count going,” said Baugh, who then addressed the cyclists, “Please ride in single file until we can figure out what we’re doing.”

The commissioners directed staff to start gathering more information about the traffic on the street and tabled the item for discussion at an unspecified time. Baugh said she would meet with involved parties and work on a comprehensive solution.