Citizens' Task Force for Safe Walking and Biking in Fernandina Beach Community Meeting May 23, 2023

Fernandina Beach citizen surveys reveal safe and accessible walking and biking is a priority for residents.  Deputy City Manager/City Engineer Charlie George has formed a Citizens’ Task Force for Safe Walking and Biking in Fernandina Beach to help identify improvements which would increase pedestrian and cyclist safety and travel. 
 
The Citizens’ Task Force for Safe Walking and Biking in Fernandina Beach (“Task Force”) requests the public’s help to identify and prioritize construction, signage or other improvements that would improve the access and safety of Fernandina Beach’s walkers, runners, cyclists and people with mobility issues.  The Citizens’ Task Force for Safe Walking and Biking in Fernandina Beach (“Task Force”) invites the public to attend and provide input at any or all of the public meetings listed below. 
 

• May 23, from 5-7 p.m. at the Peck Center Auditorium: Second Community Walking and Biking Town Hall Meeting to invite additional citizen input.  Florida Department of Transportation officials will present plans for improvements to state roads on the island and hear from the community.
• May 31, from 4-6 p.m. at City Commission Chambers: The Task Force will hold a consensus-building meeting to select short-, mid- and long-term recommendations. 
• June 12, from 4-6 p.m. at City Commission Chambers: The Task Force will hold a community meeting and share the draft Task Force Final Report. 
• July 11, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the City Commission’s Regular Meeting at City Hall: The Task Force will present a Report of Community Recommendations to Promote Safe and Accessible Walking and Biking in Fernandina Beach.   

 
Additionally, Community members are encouraged to go to www.fbfl.us/Citizens4Safety to provide recommendations that would improve the access and safety of Fernandina Beach’s walkers, runners, cyclists, and people with mobility issues.  To date over 150 surveys have been completed.  Please e-mail Mike Spino at mikespino@bellsouth.net with questions or comments.   The Task Force looks forward to hearing from the public!
 
The April 17 community meeting was well attended with over 80 participants voicing a variety of concerns about walking and biking safety. 
 
Specific Issues from the Community Meeting:

1. Vehicle speed is a major concern. Residents want vehicle speed lowered across the island. Get people on “island time.”
2. Safety concerns on the state-controlled roads of S. Fletcher, Atlantic and S. 8th St., especially vehicle speed, lack of crosswalks, and sidewalks.
3. Lack of maintenance of S. Fletcher roadway, bike lanes and sidewalks.
4. Safety concerns on Citrona from vehicle speed, lack of crosswalks and stop signs.
5. Concerns about the lack of bike lanes and safe passages west bound to the Shave Bridge.
6. Teach rules of the road to walkers, cyclists, and motorists.

Task Force Members
Mike Spino
Tom Camera
Robin Lentz
Doug Roselle
Avery Lentz
Elaine Roberts
Valerie Feinberg
 
City Staff
Lorelei Jacobs, Grants Administrator
Jeremiah Glisson, Public Works Director
Kelly Gibson, Planning and Conservation Director
Catherine Vorrasi, Parks and Recreation Director
Taylor Hartmann, Planner
Daphne Forehand, Planner