By Patricia Lee, Owner, Destinites.com
This month in our Destinites Facebook group at www.Facebook.com/groups/Destinites, members voiced concerns over two separate issues.
First, there is concern about e-bikes on the sidewalks, and second, there are concerns about the new proposal from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to add more recreational activities, golf courses and lodging to state parks. Most locals are not happy! If you wish your voice to be heard, write to the governor, the Secretary of FDEP and your state representative. https://floridawildlifefederation.org/action-state-parks-threat
We will begin with the e-bikes on the sidewalks issue. The person who placed the original post stated: “We are concerned about e-bikes on walking/bike paths. We walk the walking/bike paths along Scenic Gulf Drive most mornings for our exercise. We have had several incidents of being startled by e-bikes flying by at speeds close to 20 mph—no warning that they are passing.
Today a man staying at Destin RV Park on Miramar Beach Drive blew past (wife) just as she was stopping and turning to say something to me. Terrified her. Almost struck her at an excessive speed for a shared sidewalk. There are signs that state no motorized vehicles are allowed posted on the path. Maybe Walton County Sheriff’s Office would enforce this a bit more aggressively.” Other members responded by saying they, too, had the same experience.
Below are some other comments by members regarding the issue:
1. E-bikes should be on the road. In the bike lane.
2. This is also the same problem on Airport road as well. I run on that sidewalk in the morning and the electric bikes pass by me at 30mph just a couple inches from me without even moving over. We need signs and tickets for this.
3. An e-bike hit me (I was stopped at a stop sign and he hit me going at a high rate of speed on the sidewalk) on Legion Dr. last year. I had to pay for the dent removals myself out of pocket so my insurance rates didn’t go up. Someone (possibly a child) will end up injured or killed sooner or later.
4. People just need something to complain about. Walk to the right. I’ll honk and shout “on your left.” If it’s not golf carts, it’s joggers, skateboards, scooters, etc. How about the lady who wears her rollerblades? She’s moving left to right taking up the whole path. Do I complain, no! I move around to the grass and pass. That’s her exercise and probably stress relief. Mine is my e- bike.
5. Response to #4: The difference is that the lady on rollerblades isn’t going 30 mph on a sidewalk. I’m not a huge “have a rule for everything” guy, but the e-bike situation in town has gotten a little silly.
Now, let’s talk about the expansion of the proposal for the state parks made by FDEP. The only ones mentioned on the Panhandle to be affected were Grayton Beach, Topsail Hill Preserve and Camp Helen. They want to further develop state parks, adding pickleball courts, golf courses and other recreational activity spaces and lodging. There were no responses under this post in agreement with the proposal, as of the date this article was being written. Below are some responses from members:
1. Although the DEP is a separate state agency and not part of the governor’s office, we still need our state and local elected officials to help its citizens and notify them of how we feel about this proposed plan. We, as citizens, need to exercise our rights to let the DEP as well as our state and local officials know that we are not in favor of converting our state parks into a resort. We need to contact all elected state officials, including the governor, and let them know we oppose their changes to our beautiful state parks! Those elected officials need to listen to the people who elected them; they need to hear and help the citizens of Florida in letting the DEP know we oppose this plan.
2. Did they forget what department they work for? Florida’s Environmental Protection coming up with Department of Economic ideas.
3. All of this disruption to natural parks just for a trend? Outdoor adventurers go to these parks to experience nature, disconnect from the daily routines and ground themselves—not to play pickleball. I can understand their need to expand on the lodging on site, but there are ways to manage this problem. Adding, repurposing areas for activities we do as a hobby at home is not necessary. There are plenty of other resorts with this amenity or leave it for when you are at home.
From the FDEP website: DEP manages 175 state parks, trails and historic sites as part of its award-winning Florida State Parks system. Through its Florida Coastal Office, DEP also manages 41 aquatic preserves, and along with NOAA, three national estuarine research reserves and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
If you are a Destin resident or in the close surrounding area, I invite you to join our private locals’ group at www.Facebook.com/groups/Destinites with 10,500+ members (Est. Oct. 2018). Check out our monthly newsletter and local business directory at www.Destinites.com. If your business is in our directory, you may advertise in the group.
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