Darlene Culpepper, the city’s bicycle-pedestrian coordinator and recently appointed special-events coordinator, told the Citizens Advisory Board that Venice retained a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community designation and that a short list of practical changes could help the city reach Gold.

“Culpepper. I am the bicycle pedestrian coordinator for the city. Recently appointed, special events coordinator as well,” she said, outlining current work with engineering and the police department to collect and organize the city’s application materials.

Culpepper pointed the board to the League of American National Bicyclists re‑award report for the 2024–2028 cycle and highlighted the report’s “feedback to improve” section. She recommended the board consider a local bicycle‑parking ordinance that would require secure, conveniently located bike parking for new and existing buildings and follow APBP guidelines, including racks that provide two points of contact with the bike frame.

She noted one practical reason the city’s score may be understated: because her position is part time, an application answer that treats a part‑time manager as “no” can skew automated scoring. “When I answer that question, say yes we have someone but it’s part time, that messes up their skewed system,” Culpepper said.

Culpepper described several implementation actions she has already taken or planned: installing post‑and‑ring racks downtown, producing a short “how to lock your bike” video with a summer intern, resuming monthly casual city bike rides (second Thursday, 10 a.m., West entrance of City Hall) and planning an e-bike safety class in March (stated in transcript as “next March on the 20 fifth”).

Board members and a bicycling resident asked about coordination with county parks and about trails tied to recent development projects; Culpepper said she will research grant and intergovernmental options and collaborate with county and city engineering staff when appropriate. She also flagged a privately owned parcel along the Venetian Waterway Park West Trail slated for sale by WCIND that could affect trail continuity and asked the board to note that as a potential funding/preservation priority.

The presentation left the board with two near-term suggestions: (1) consider drafting a bicycle‑parking ordinance that addresses new and existing buildings and (2) nominate a staff/board liaison to work with Culpepper and engineering on the League feedback and next reapplication cycle.