March is Florida Bike Month
March is Florida Bicycle Month. Contact your local municipality for a list of events in your area of the state. For a list of contacts go HERE. If you know of events in your area, let us know and we’ll post on the calendar of events on the FBA blog. Also check out the Florida Bicycle Touring Calendar for a list of bicycle rides in March and throughout the year. Help us celebrate March in a big way for bicyclists.
The month of May is promoted nationally as National Bike Month by the League of American Bicyclists, however, many cities/areas throughout Florida choose to observe Bike Month earlier due to Florida’s warm weather.
I don’t know about a study specifically of unlicensed drivers vs cyclists, but I believe there was such a study done in California not too long ago for unlicensed driver accidents in general. In fact, I heard it on the radio just the other morning.
I believe the study did indeed show a much higher accident fatality rate (and even a much higher accident rate) among unlicensed drivers. Which is not surprising, sadly.
The problem of unlicensed motorists (whether suspended or revoked) is one FBA is addressing through it’s Alternative Transportation Education program. Motorists with suspended licenses and otherwise problematic driving records are assigned to the course by the courts. They are taught the rules of the road for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in hopes that they will A) walk and bike and use transit instead of driving, and B) be a better driver in regards to pedestrians and cyclists when they do get behind the wheel.
Unfortunately the course is only being offered in a couple counties due to challenges with getting instructors and getting judges to assign it. FBA is working to develop an on-line version of the course, which we expect will enable more county courts to assign the course.
After reading that Fl. is the deadliest state in the country for bikers, I am wondering if a study has been done concerning ratio of unlicensed and/or suspended license drivers causing death compared to legal drivers?