Over a dozen volunteers have been scouting roads, creating GIS map layers, and laying out the plans for a bike map for Sarasota. Bike lanes and trails from University Parkway to Clark Road and from the keys to I-75 will be indicated. Direct as well as recreational bike routes will be rated for biking comfort so riders can pick the roads and paths most suited to their tastes.
A.R.T. organizes and hosts safety events to teach cyclists how to keep themselves safe on our roadways. So far, we have hosted four of our own classes and have helped with three others. We have helped distribute dozens of sets of bike lights and hundreds of helmets.
Fear for safety is possibly the biggest barrier to cycling as transportation, for cyclists are vulnerable on roads with fast moving, heavy cars. What most people do not realize is that when cyclists obey the rules of the road, they are very rarely involved in crashes. Bike safety rests mostly with the rider, and our safety programs instill the knowledge and skills needed to keep cyclists safe. Bicycle accidents are a serious issue. We believe that safety must be addressed through improved road conditions, bicycle education, and increased driver awareness of cyclists.
A.R.T. has trained cycling instructors (certified by the League of
American Bicyclists) ready and willing to teach safety classes. Class
length varies from an hour-and-a-half basics class to a nine-hour Road
I Course. If you would like to set up a class for your neighborhood,
please click here to email us. Classes are free and fun!!
A.R.T. applied for a $2,000 grant from the Safety Office of the
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the purchase of bike lights to
be distributed at safety classes. Unfortnately, FDOT denied our application in September of 2007.
Community rides are a keystone of A.R.T. Rides increase visibility of bicyclists by motorists and provide riders with a chance to become more comfortable on the streets of Sarasota. We have hosted dozens of rides so far, including rides to the beach that end in barbeques, and 3 rides to Myakka State Park for weekend campouts.
We ride at a pace that is comfortable for everyone, placing more experienced cyclists at the front and rear of the group. We teach and model proper biking etiquette, including hand signals, obeying traffic laws, and using helmets and lights. If you'd like to get used to biking for transportation, A.R.T. rides are a great way to feel safe and enjoy our roads!
To get involved in community rides, please enter your email and sign up for A.R.T. notices.
A.R.T. advocates for safer and more convenient bicycling and walking conditions, primarily working on the city and county levels. We attend government meetings, meet with staff and officials, and work with community groups to build support for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Earlier this year, we worked with the City of Sarasota to get new bike lanes striped on 10th Street between Cocoanut and Orange. Volunteers for A.R.T. researched city documents, checked road maintenance plans, and made on-site measurements in a campaign to convince the city to change the lane markings on 10th Street to include bike facilities. The city was happy to work with us and thankful for our involvement.
In the summer and fall of 2006, volunteers for A.R.T. successfully lobbied Sarasota County commissioners and staff to hire a full-time bicycle/pedestrian coordinator. Keeping track of all the bike/ped issues in a county is a lot of work and can not be done effectively without a coordinator. Irene Maiolo, the new bike/ped coordinator, is excited to be on the job and is ready to address the pressing issues facing cyclists and pedestrians.
A.R.T. is has just one our first BIG advocacy campaign! Our “Fruitville for Everyone” campaign saved the bike lanes on Fruitville Road from US 301 to US 41. Click here to find out more.
To get involved in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy, please enter your email and sign up for A.R.T. notices.
In August 2006, A.R.T. Community Bike Shop started with our Summer Bike Drive. We collected over 50 donated bicycles during the Drive and taught people about basic bike repairs with them. We fixed those bikes up and have continued to collect, repair and release donated bicycles. So far we have collected over 125 and have put nearly 100 of those back on the street (the rest still need to be fixed!!)
People are welcome to come by and use A.R.T. tools to maintain and repair their bikes. If you don't know how to fix something, we'll help you and teach you what we can. Just call or email us to setup a time to come by. All services and help is free, but donates are suggested. Click here to donate online (all new members receive a free tune-up!).
There are almost always donated bikes that need to be cleaned up and repaired. People of all skill levels can be of help in the shop. Email us and let us know if you'd like to help.
A.R.T. has recently started collaborating with the Transit Group, a local bus advocacy group, to strategize how we can improve the bus systems in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The viability of walking and cycling for transportation relies heavily on the quality of public transportation and it is A.R.T.’s goal to improve our area’s bus systems.