941-206-8500 Client Login HOW WE WORK YOUR TEAM SOLUTIONS CONTACT US FYI COVID-19 Bicycle Culture in Punta Gorda Douglas Young Punta Gorda is brimming with bikes! If you’re new to the area, you’ve no doubt noticed how many cyclists there are on our roads and pathways. You may have also been taken by whimsically painted bicycles leaning against fences or parked in front of stores. They’re often adorned with baskets full of flowers. The cycling culture in PG is heartily supported by TEAM Punta Gorda, a volunteer organization committed to initiatives that enhance the community’s livability. Originally created after the devastation of Hurricane Charley in 2004, TEAM Punta Gorda focuses on projects to make PG a great place to live, work and play. Like free loaner bikes! You’ll see cyclists on the bright yellow bikes around town. TEAM Punta Gorda’s bicycle loaner program was initiated in 2010, in partnership with the City of Punta Gorda and supported by local businesses and private individuals. There are six stations at hotels and marinas where you can check out bicycles – and even tricycles for the kiddies. Bike stations are located at: Fisherman’s Village, 1200 W Retta Esplanade, 941-575-3000 Laishley Park Marina, 120 Laishley Ct, 941-621-4190 Charlotte Regional Wellness Center, 733 E Olympia Ave, 941-637-2450 Isles Yacht Club, 1780 W Marion Ave, 941-639-7551 Sheraton 4-Points, 33 Tamiami Trail, 941-637-6770 Simply provide your ID (they’ll take a copy and return the copy when you return the bike), sign the release form, and you’ll receive a lock, key and helmet. You’re all set! Helmets are required by law for all cyclists under 16 years old. Here’s a few other cycling guidelines and state laws that will keep you safe. In Florida the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle and the bicyclist is a driver Bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways, and must obey the same traffic laws as the drivers of other vehicles: Obey traffic signals & signs Riding with the flow of traffic Using lights at night Yielding the right-of-way when entering a roadway Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalk Bicyclists are allowed on all roadways in Florida except where specifically prohibited Bicyclists have the right to occupy the travel lane if the travel lane is not wide enough for the safe passage of both a vehicle and a bicycle A vehicle passing a bicycle must give a minimum of 3 feet of clearance to the bicyclist Bicycles are permitted on sidewalks (courtesy of http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/visitors/bicycling) The Punta Gorda Pathways is an 18-mile network of cycling/ walking trails that weaves along the PG waterfront and through historic neighborhoods. For bigger adventures, check out the four street routes that take you outside of PG for more challenging rides from 17 to 31 miles long. Visit http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/visitors/bicycling/bicycle-routes for maps. With our beautiful weather and flat terrain, PG is a cyclist’s paradise. Join in by taking out a loaner bike for a day trip, or invest in your own bicycle and make it a regular part of your new routine. Presented by Clear View Financial Services, LLC. Opinions expressed are that of the author and are not endorsed by the named broker dealer or its affiliates. All information herein has been prepared solely for informational purposes, and it is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy. The information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. Recent Posts When the Fed Talks Inflation, Bond Investors Listen Stories Will Be Told What Is Earnings Season? Tackling Loneliness and Depression after Retirement Who Is Your Trusted Contact? PROUD MEMBERS OF Kings Crossing Office Park 1502 Kings Highway, Suite 300 Port Charlotte, Florida 33980 © Copyright 2021 Phone: 941.206.8500 Fax: 941.206.8501 Toll Free: 866.997.1318 Contact Us Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker-dealer and registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Individuals affiliated with Cetera firms are either Registered Representatives who offer only brokerage services and receive transaction-based compensation (commissions), Investment Adviser Representatives who offer only investment advisory services and receive fees based on assets, or both Registered Representatives and Investment Adviser Representatives, who can offer both types of services. The charitable entities and/or fundraising opportunities described herein are not endorsed by or affiliated with Summit and Cetera or their affiliates. Our philanthropic interests are personal to us and are not reviewed, sponsored or approved by Summit and Cetera or their affiliates. Privacy Policy Business Continuity Important Disclosures Please Note: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the websites provided here, you are leaving this website. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these websites. Nor is the company liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, websites, information or programs made available through outside websites. This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC may only conduct business with residents of the states and/or jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Not all of the products and services referenced on this site may be available in every state and through every advisor listed. For additional information please contact the advisor(s) listed on the site, visit the Cetera Advisor Networks LLC site at www.ceteraadvisornetworks.com FINRA's BrokerCheck. Obtain more information about our firm and its financial professionals. c