The Venice Citizen Advisory Board convened on February 19, 2025, to discuss updates on the city's bicycle-friendly initiatives and the recent designation as a Trail Town. Darlene Culpepper, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, presented the meeting's primary agenda item, focusing on the 2024 application for the League of American Bicyclists.

Culpepper reported that Venice has successfully maintained its silver-level status in the bicycle-friendly community rankings. She shared a detailed report card from the League, which included feedback and recommendations for advancing to gold status. Among the suggestions was the adoption of a standardized ordinance for bike racks, which could facilitate improvements in the community's cycling infrastructure.

Culpepper also highlighted a new project currently underway: the installation of a rest stop on Edmondson Road, which will feature a shade structure, bench, bicycle repair station, and water stop. This rest stop is strategically located near the Northport connector to the Legacy Trail and is expected to enhance the cycling experience in the area.

In addition to the bicycle-friendly status, Venice has been recognized as one of 21 Trail Towns in Florida. This designation includes the creation of a story map that showcases the city's parks, trails, and waterways, which will soon be available on the city's website.

Board members engaged in discussions about the need for more bike lanes and safety measures for cyclists, particularly in areas with heavy traffic. Culpepper confirmed that she has shared relevant data with the team working on the multimodal transportation plan to address these concerns.

The board also considered the possibility of appointing a liaison to facilitate communication between board members and the bicycle coordinator, ensuring that input and ideas could be effectively gathered and presented to the council.

As the meeting concluded, Culpepper encouraged board members to review the report card and consider potential projects that could be proposed to the council for budget approval. She emphasized the importance of maintaining and improving Venice's bicycle-friendly status, especially as the population is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment to enhancing its cycling infrastructure and promoting a bicycle-friendly environment, with plans for ongoing community engagement and project development in the future.