Officials serious about Anna Maria Island bicycle path to help with traffic crunch

ANNA MARIA ISLAND -- There may be an islandwide bicycle path in the future for Anna Maria Island.

It's an idea officials on the 7-mile barrier island have been discussing seriously as a way to help combat traffic congestion and provide an alternate mode of transportation for residents and visitors alike.

Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson said talks for the bicycle path could be tied to some degree to an Urban Land Institute study conducted in 2015 on the island. At the conclusion of the week-long study backed by the nonprofit education-and-research organization focused on land use, a group of land-use experts stressed collaboration is necessary between the individual cities -- Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach.

"It's also tied to the general situation we have out here of congestion and the need for trying to take care of that, and one of the ways of doing that is to find ways to improve bikeability on the island," Johnson said. "We're all faced with the same problems. It's just a matter of trying to be coherent in things. I could easily tootle east and west from the bay side to the

beach side, but going north and south is a little difficult because that's where all the traffic goes."

The best way for all three island municipalities to accomplish the path is to work toward it collectively, Johnson said.

"There ought to be some cohesiveness and uniformity because the people that are here don't recognize that there are three different cities on the island, especially if they're visiting," Johnson said. "It's still very early. We're trying to come up with a concept."

Bradenton Beach Mayor William Shearon said an islandwide bicycle path was on his bucket list with former Holmes Beach Mayor Carmel Monti and former Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn. Once Johnson and Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy were elected, Shearon said it became even more of a priority.

"The concept is basically you can get on a bicycle and go through the whole island safe and have some scenic opportunities," Shearon told the Herald on Tuesday. "It's something that we've been working on for a long time and now we're formalizing it and moving it forward and we have some funding opportunities that we're pursuing."

Funding has not yet been secured, but officials have reached out to Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, for help in writing support letters to various agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation and the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority.

Priscilla Von Ahnen, who lives in Bradenton Beach with her husband, said she uses her bicycle a lot to get around town. She rides to Bradenton Beach City Hall, to the local post office and to see friends.

"I'd rather take a bike than a car," the 66 year old said. "I know we have bicycle lanes on the road down here in Bradenton Beach. I don't like riding in them because it's right next to traffic and it just feels uneasy."

Von Ahnen said she sticks to back roads while riding but would be in favor of an islandwide bicycle path.

"I think they should keep it off Gulf Drive as much as possible, in my opinion, because traffic makes me nervous," she said. "If you're riding with kids, I wouldn't want them right there next to traffic."

Kenneth Cole of Cortez rides his father's beach cruiser bicycle to his job at Oma's Pizza & Italian Restaurant in Bradenton Beach. Though he said he sticks to the area around Bradenton Beach, Cole reacted positively to what officials have been working toward.

"Bicyclists can see nature and get from point A to point B on the island," he said. "I think it would be a pretty good idea."

In the city of Anna Maria, a bicycle route was determined months ago, but Murphy said there is still work to do.

"What I'm trying to do is get people off Pine And Gulf Drive," he said, describing those roads as heavy-traffic areas.

Asked if an islandwide path is necessary, Murphy said absolutely.

Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter @AmarisCastillo.

This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 11:40 PM with the headline "Officials serious about Anna Maria Island bicycle path to help with traffic crunch ."