Community Foundation gave us a $7,100 grant this year for Share the Lane, a public education campaign designed to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety in our town. It will fund a series of way-finder signs that will make it easier for cyclists to find their way around our community and a new website loaded with information and tips for all levels of cyclists.

As more bicycle and pedestrian improvements become a reality, we need to open a dialogue about our vision for what we want to see in the future. Our neighbors who ride bicycles and drive autos all have daily needs that must be met. Bicyclists ride for different reasons. Some people use their bikes for transportation to work or to activities and others ride purely for recreation or health reasons. Some people are hoping for bicycle lanes that provide more separation from automobile traffic, others think that more cost effective strategies such as better road markings will suffice. The sharrows and signage that are starting to emerge serve to educate motorists and cyclists about expectations to share the lane at minimal cost. City law enforcement vehicles now display stickers letting motorists know that they must give cyclists 3 three feet of clearance as they pass. 

I'd also like to congratulate our outstanding Punta Gorda Police Department  who were recently honored by the Florida Bicycle Association as the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year. The award was issued for the department's efforts in helping to facilitate a safe cycling environment. Also honored by the FBA was Court Nederveld, our Bicycle Friendly Communities Co-chair who was named Citizen Bicycle Advocate. We're proud to have them working on our behalf.

Happy 4th of July!

Nancy Johnson

Bike Survey - Win Bike Earrings or Tech-Wic T-shirt

We need your help!  TEAM Punta Gorda and the City of Punta Gorda are partners in an effort to make our city as bicycle and pedestrian friendly as possible. We are asking you to complete a very quick survey to find out what our citizens would like to see in the way of bicycle, pedestrian and motorist improvements to help us all learn to "Share the Lane. Just fill out a quick survey and tell us what you think about biking in Punta Gorda and who knows, it may be your lucky day! Click on this link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/teampgbikes

Participation in this survey will automatically enter you into a drawing for a Share the Lane Tech-Wic T-shirt or a pair of bicycle earrings (your choice). To win, you must finish the survey before July 10. Good Luck! 

June TEAM Mixer Update

Delicious Fat Point Beverages

It was created not only as a fundraising vehicle, but also as (1) an outreach program to share TEAM with those who may not know who we are and what we do, (2) a way for supporters who do not want to volunteer to contribute to TEAM and (3) a vehicle to encourage all TEAM participants to share their talents and ideas with one another.

One of the new and exciting features of this membership program is our fun-filled mixers. They are a great place to meet other team members and to invite friends in the community to come and get to know the TEAM. Our last mixer was held at Fat Point Brewery, one of Punta Gorda's gems. We had more than 60 people attend and 10 new members jointed that night. We look forward to many more mixers on the horizon. We are so thankful for all of the people who make up our TEAM. Remember when TEAM plays, everyone wins!

Winner, Debbie Carey

Congratulations to Debbie Carey who won tickets to King Fisher Fleet's pleasure cruise. Debbie is a longtime TEAM participant who just joined as a member. Thanks, Debbie!

To join as a new TEAM member, click on http://www.teampuntagorda.org/membership.html

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Welcome to our New Office Staff

   Cheryl Karba                 Kathy Platt                Nancy Morris        

Longtime office manager and mainstay of TEAM, Gini Pender is retiring this month. We'll need lots of staff to replace her.

There is still room for YOU to share your office skills by helping TEAM to function smoothly and have some fun at the same time. The TEAM Punta Gorda office is in the center of downtown and in the midst of the action of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.  

Skills needed are: good communication, computer, data entry, ability to complete tasks independently and with minimal direction, problem solving and reliability. Join the office team 2 - 3 hours per scheduled day.  

Contact team@teampuntagorda.org or 941-637-8326.

Summer hours will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 1-3 PM 

Bicycle Maintenance Volunteers Needed

Yellow Bikes must be kept in good shape!

Interested in bicycle maintenance? We could use your help. You'll notice that the yellow loaner bike fleet got an upgrade recently with the purchase of 20 new loaner bikes for the fleet of 44. With over 5,000 riders per year, this program has become a major tourist attraction and resident benefit. Thanks to our loyal host sites for their patience and encouragement

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Children's Summer Camp Opportunity

Are you interested in enrolling your child in an educational adventure through Florida's fabulous ecosystems? The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Alligator Creek Preserve in Punta Gorda, offers Summer Eco-Adventures for just $100 for a full week of all-day camps. Each session will include enriching outdoor explorations, hands-on activities, and will be taught by college-educated teachers.

If so, now is the time to register. Reseve your child's space today by calling 941-575-5435 or email ashley@checflorida.org   More info is at www.checflorida.org  

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Mural Society Board of Director Position Opening

Are you interested in supporting the Punta Gorda Mural Society's mission of Preserving History through the Beauty of Murals?  If so, they are in need of a person who'd be a board member responsible for inspecting annually the 2 dozen murals and report to the board on their condition, approximately 3 or 4 murals per month.  To volunteer go to http://puntagordamurals.org/volunteer/

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