WINTER PARK HEALTH FOUNDATION INVESTS BIG INTO BICYCLING AND WALKING BY AWARDING A TWO-YEAR $95,600 CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT TO FLORIDA BICYCLE ASSOCIATION

Improving non-motorized activity improves health on a personal and planet level. The two-year grant in the amount of $95,600 will make it possible for FBA to begin a Central Florida chapter that will deal specifically with the greater Orlando area with an emphasis on Eatonville, Winter Park and Maitland. A 2009 civility study, also funded by the Winter Park Health Foundation, granted FBA the insight as to the needs of the Winter Park, Maitland and Eatonville communities related to cycling and walking. The civility study noted that 18% of the population used bikes but riders felt unsafe and auto drivers were without knowledge on dealing with cyclists in the traffic flow. This two-year grant will place opportunity with needs granting FBA a full functioning chapter to deal directly with the finding of the civility study of 2009. Given the focus and potential for improvements 24 months from now drivers could be more educated and courteous to cyclists and walkers. Cyclists and walkers could be more safe and secure and motivated to use non-motorized healthier options much more often.