Legacy Trail intersection modified

Stop, look and listen.

That’s the new motto being emphasized on brochures for bicyclists who ride The Legacy Trail with plans to cross over Central Sarasota Parkway.

Since The Legacy Trail opened three years ago, motorists and bicyclists reportedly have had numerous close encounters and fender benders at that site.

But just last week, Sarasota County modified the intersection at the request of the Palmer Ranch Communities Coalition. Margaret Brading, president of the coalition, hopes the changes will enhance safety for the cyclists.

Sarasota County removed a flashing orange light that was activated by bicyclists seeking to cross Central Sarasota Parkway. County staff members also have agreed, for now, to postpone the installation of a traffic light at the intersection, because the coalition strongly opposes that step.

With the county’s having removed the flashing light — and with plans to remove the white crosswalk stripes, as well, in the not-too-distant future — coalition members hope the bicyclists will stop at the intersection and cross only when they see it is safe to do so.

The crosswalk striping has served as an indicator that cars should stop when pedestrians are near the intersection.

“It’s now the bicyclists’ responsibility to stop,” said Brading, who has been “on duty” at the intersection for days, handing out flyers to bicyclists and urging them to “Stop, Look and Listen” before proceeding across the road that hundreds of homeowners use to get to and from the various Palmer Ranch neighborhoods in the area.

So far, Brading said the subtle changes to the Central Sarasota Parkway intersection are working.

“Traffic is flowing more freely,” Brading said. “Bicyclists are now stopping and looking before heading across.”

Before the changes, bicyclists relied on the flashing light and enhanced crossing features as they charged through the intersection without stopping, relying on motorists to stop for them.

“There’s been a lot of confusion over who has the right of way,” Brading said. “Now, it’s up to the bicyclists to proceed with caution.”

Brading and other coalition members voiced opposition in October to the county’s proposal for a stoplight at the intersection.

“We are already saturated with lights on Central Sarasota Parkway, and one here would create traffic jams every time a bicyclist wants to cross,” Brading said.

Stoplights already exist at the intersections of U.S. 41 and McIntosh Road and Potter Park Drive. The latter site is where a new Lowe’s store is being built.

Because of the additional car and truck traffic that the Lowe’s is expected to generate, Brading believes it’s only a matter of time yet before another light is installed at the Honore Avenue intersection.

Thai Tran, the county’s mobility program manager, said the county is relying on Palmer Ranch representatives to determine when the Honore Avenue intersection is busy enough for a light.