Bike Miami Days in the Grove
| April 25, 2010 | ||
| 10:00 am |
Miami’s largest free and family-friendly street party returns to Coconut Grove and there is much to be done. Visit the blog for details.
T4America Poll: Strong Support for Bike and Ped
New poll shows Americans strongly support public transportation; more walking & biking. Check it out!
Mighk Wilson
Bike to Work Day – Orlando
| May 19, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 am |
Join Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in support of reducing our impact on the environment. Gather at 7:30 am at Infusion Tea, 1600 Edgewater Drive. Ride at 8:00 am into Downtown ending at Orlando City Hall. Free coffee or tea (with mug), tune-ups and LYNX one-way passes to College Park.
For more information, contact the City of Orlando’s Transportation Planning Department at 407-246-3347/3325.
Get Ready to Make a Difference at the Florida Bike Summit
Come to Tallahassee for the 2nd Annual Florida Bike Summit at the Florida Capitol Courtyard April 8, 2010, 10:00 am-2:00 pm, and help protect the rights of bicyclists to ride safely and freely.
Learn what Florida is doing for bicyclists
Meet with legislators throughout the day
Connect with other bicycle advocates
Ride to the Capitol from the St. Marks Trailhead at 9:00 am
Secured bicycle parking in the Courtyard
Summit gathering spot: Tallahassee/East KOA Campground
Summit legislative training: 4/7/10; 7:00 pm
Summit celebration reception: 4/8/10; 5:00-6:30 pm
The 2010 Florida Bike Summit is FREE – register today
Press event at 10:30 am
Our first Summit in 2009 focused on educating legislators about the benefits of bicycling. For 2010, we need your input to define what cycling really is and how it can change Florida one rider at a time. Join us to take advantage of these changing times where more people are riding bikes. The time is now to show how powerful and influential we can be as a unified voice
Be a part of the solution to advance Florida as the best state to ride a bicycle.
For more details and to register, visit http://www.floridabicycle.org/joinus/summit.html.
Safer Streets event in Miami
| March 27, 2010 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 1:00 pm |
Please join me for one of the most important events of the year to make the streets of South Florida safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, and runners. This is a fund-raiser for Green Mobility Network, a nonprofit advocacy group promoting nonmotorized transportation and safe streets throughout Miami-Dade County.
WHAT: Documentary films on the theme “Livable Cities & Safe Streets.”
The films include the world premiere and exclusive showing of “The Journey Is the Thing,” by local bicyclist-filmmaker Tony Blazejack, documenting the “ghost bike” and memorial ride for bicyclist Christophe Le Canne, who was killed while bicycling on the Rickenbacker Causeway on Jan. 17. You’ll also see how other cities are becoming more livable and making their streets safer: Curitiba, Brazil and Denver, New York, and Portland, Ore.
The $10 admission benefits Green Mobility Network and includes food and beverages before and after the films, a silent auction, and free attended bike valet parking.
WHERE: Bill Cosford Cinema, University of Miami
DATE AND TIME: Saturday, March 27, 2010, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
If you can attend, please so indicate at the Green Mobility Network page on Facebook. Select “events”
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Mobility-Network/250564457003?v=app_2344061033&ref=ts
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday and working together to build a movement in Miami-Dade for safer streets for everyone.
___________________________________________
John D. Hopkins, executive director
200 S. Biscayne Blvd., 6th floor
Miami, FL 33131
BikeWalkLee Applauds Lee County MPO Quick Action in Support of National Complete Streets Policy
At the March 19 meeting of the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting the board, made up of elected officials from every municipality in Lee County, embraced the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) new policy statement on bicycle and pedestrian accommodation. The MPO board unanimously passed a motion in support of the policy statement and encouraged the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to support it as well.
“BikeWalkLee is gratified by the continued leadership and commitment demonstrated by the MPO led by Chairman Judah to complete Lee County’s streets and to integrate the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists in road projects,” said Darla Letourneau, a local community advocate and BikeWalkLee leader. “Not only is the MPO leading the county’s efforts, its quick endorsement of this policy statement puts Lee County in the forefront of communities around the country who recognize the significance of this bold action by the Secretary of Transportation. In fact, Lee County may be the first in the country to have officially endorsed the new policy.”
The new USDOT policy embraces a complete streets approach, calling for fully integrated active transportation networks, which are important components for livable communities. The policy states that transportation agencies should plan, fund, and implement improvements to their walking and bicycling networks, including linkages to transit. In addition USDOT encourages transportation agencies to go beyond the minimum requirements, and proactively provide convenient, safe, and context-sensitive facilities that foster increased use by bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. The entire policy is available online HERE.
The USDOT policy encourages state and local governments, among others, to adopt similar policy statements. “We are pleased that Lee County has already taken steps to move in this direction,” Letourneau said. In 2009, Lee County ― through adoption of complete streets resolutions by both the Metropolitan Planning Organization and by the Lee County Commission ― embarked on a path to safer streets for everyone. In addition, the county has just launched the development of a countywide bicycle pedestrian master plan that will provide the blueprint for a safe, accessible, and connected bicycle/pedestrian system throughout the county.
“Having strong national leadership in support of complete streets as the county begins to implement its adopted policies provides a real boost to our local efforts. Now we need support and leadership from Gov. Charlie Crist, the Legislature, and the Florida Department of Transportation for Lee County to be successful, since policies for building roadways are directed by the state and many roadways in our county are state roads,” Letourneau said.
“This USDOT policy should convince our state officials once and for all that a complete streets approach is the path Florida needs to embrace without any further delay,” Letourneau said. “As the ‘Dangerous by Design’ report release late last year made clear, complete streets are safer streets and save lives of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, as well as to help promote healthy lifestyles. Bold action is needed to make Florida, the most dangerous state in the nation for pedestrians and cyclists, a safer state for vulnerable users on our roadways. It makes good economic sense, as well as safety sense to become a state that fosters walkable, bikeable and livable communities.”
BikeWalkLee has called upon state leaders — the governor, the Legislature, and the Secretary of Transportation — to adopt this new federal policy statement as Florida policy and integrate it into the state’s policies, planning processes and guidance documents, including the pending FDOT draft revisions to the “Green Book”–the manual used by local governments in designing their road projects. Florida should follow the lead of other states, such as California, in developing and implementing a statewide complete streets program and action plan, and aggressively promoting its adoption in communities throughout Florida.
BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County—streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
For more information, contact Darla Letourneau, 239-850-3219, dletourneau@bikewalklee.org.
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood Behind Biking and Walking
Secretary Ray LaHood:
“Today (3/15/10), I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.
We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
- Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
- Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
- Go beyond minimum design standards.
- Collect data on walking and biking trips.
- Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
- Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
- Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.
Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.”
Click here to read the full story & see video clip: http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/03/my-view-from-atop-the-table-at-the-national-bike-summit.html#more
Click the link below to the new policy statement: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/policy_accom.htm
Smart Cycling in The Villages
| March 28, 2010 | ||
| 1:00 pm | to | 5:30 pm |
Allamanda Village Recreational Center, 1515 St. Charles Place, The Villages, FL
Cost: $20
To register contact: Jack Logomarsino, 352-430-5487, or email adventurecyclist@hotmail.com
Class is limited to 20 participants who are current residents or guests of The Villages (must show Villages I.D. card
State Transportation Trust Fund
On one hand the bicycle community has moved forward with the Federal DOT committing to bicycle facilities above historical levels. The current Plan Production Manual calls for up to 20% of a roadway project to be spent on bike and pedestrian facilities. Back here in Florida we may be loosing all of the gains. The legislature has proposed diverting $426 million of transportation user fees from transportation.
This is a raid of the State Transportation Trust Fund. A diversion like this happened in 1989 and bankrupted the FDOT when the FDOT could not fulfill their obligations. The diversion will freeze funding of any new projects and may even stop current projects. Many county and city projects are funded in full or part by the FDOT While we may be looking at getting 20% or more of road funds committed to bike lanes and sidewalks. 20% of no new road projects is no new bike lanes! Go to Floridians for Better Transportation for for more information and to TAKE ACTION BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
Joe Bonness Naples Florida
Free Webinar on 3/31/10 on Women Cycling
As part of the implementation process of the FHWA, AASHTO, NCHRP Int’l Scan on Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Mobility, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) is hosting a free webinar on March 31, 2010 on women cycling that will explore encouragement strategies and barriers to bicycling. The webinar is free to the public thanks to a generous donation from a sponsor. We’re hoping to max out APBP’s webinar capacity of 1,000 participants. You can help us do that by spreading the word.
In addition, APBP has launched a survey for women and girls to gather a snapshot in time perspective. Please help APBP gather input from as many women and girls as possible – whether they currently bicycle or not. The survey will be open through May 15th, 2010; would you please ask your favorite mom to take the survey for Mother’s Day? Thank you!
Details appear below in my signature line. APBP can provide you with a template for posters, postcards, and a .gif file for your website. If you have any questions, please give me a jingle. The webinar will be archived for future viewing.
Special thanks to APBP member Fionnuala Quinn who raised the question of numbers of women cycling in the cities visited on the scan and who went on to spearhead a webinar and survey in record time. APBP members can make a significant difference in helping to implement Int’l Scan recommendations simply by stepping up! Check out the Int’l Scan top 10 recommendations (below) to see if there’s a topic you’re passionate about and can help APBP advance.
Kit Keller, JD, Executive Director
262-375-6180 (phone)
FREE Webinar March 31: “Writing Women Back into Bicycling: Changing Transportation Culture to Encourage More Women to Cycle More Places More Often”
Celebrate Women’s History Month and connect with others interested in healthy, livable, bicycle-friendly communities!
This free webinar is open to the public. March 31 from 3:00 pm-4:30 pm Eastern time. Register at www.apbp.org.
Women and girls are invited to take a survey about bicycle use (or non-use) and barriers to bicycling. Interim results reported during webinar; final results released after May 15 during National Bike Month. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/womencycling
The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals…Expertise for sustainable transportation TM
PO Box 93 • Cedarburg, WI • 53012 • www.apbp.org • FAX: 866-720-3611