Traffic Skills 101 Special Edition June 12th
This Jacksonville class is specifically designed for endurance road cyclists that typically do the Bike MS, but is also well suited for road cyclists and road cyclist wannabe’s. It covers traffic law, bike equipment, becoming a more confident bicyclist by driving your bike like a motor vehicle and asserting your right to the road. You’ll learn injury prevention, crash avoidance through on-bike skills practice and do a group ride that includes optional pace line training. Student manual included! This is a League certified course.
COST: $35.00 general admission. Members of Bike MS teams receive a special group rate of $30.00.
WHEN: Class is one day: Saturday, June 12, 2010, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Registration closes Thursday, June 8th. You will receive pre-course study amtreroals and will need to set aside about four hours for pre-course preparation prior to class day.
CONTACT: Jodi Hohlstein at jodi@FBAfirstcoast.org for a registration package.
Call to Action to push for veto of HB 971 today
Governor Crist has until June 5 to sign into law or veto HB 971. Make your voice heard by calling or emailing Governor Crist today why HB 971 is unsafe for bicyclists.
Phone: 850-488-7146
Email: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
For more details on this bill, scroll down to the May 18 and May 5 posts.
Keep up those calls, emails and letters to veto HB 971
This morning at 9:00 am, FBA representatives met with Deputy Chief of Staff Chuck Drago to present arguments to veto HB 971. At that time, the bill had not been delivered to the governor. DCOS Drago has not heard the governor’s opinion on the bill, but said he would share our concerns. At 12:21 pm today, HB 971 was delivered to Governor Christ.
Folks, the clock is ticking since Governor Crist has 15 days to take action. Please keep up the momentum by calling, emailing or writing Governor Crist to veto HB 971.
Ride of Silence Events Nationwide Wednesday, 5/19/10
These rides are free events, bikes and cyclists of all types are welcome, and the pace will stay between 10-12mph or so, as this is a procession-not a training ride or race!
I look forward to seeing you out there!
Jim Perry, Orlando
Jacksonville Traffic Skills 101 Class
| June 12, 2010 | ||
| 7:45 am | to | 4:15 pm |
Lakeshore Bicycles & Fitness, 2106 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL
Cost: $35 general admission; $30 for members of Bike MS teams
To register contact: Jodi Hohlstein, 904-291-8664, or email jodi@floridabicycle.org for confirmation of date and a complete registration packet. Register early since class size is limited to 17 students. Registration deadline: June 8.
This class is brought to you by the First Coast Chapter of FBA.
Continue Efforts to Veto HB 971
FBA needs your help to continue efforts to veto HB 971. A letter was sent to Governor Crist May 17 signed by FBA Board president David Henderson. FBA representatives will be meeting with Chuck Drago, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, later this week to provide supporting arguments and local examples of why HB 971 is unsafe for bicyclists and pedestrians.
We are also encouraging bike clubs and advocacy organizations to follow suit with their support of the veto and have contacted these organizations directly. Thank you, individually and through your club or advocacy organization, for the many phone calls, emails, letters and faxes already generated to stop this bill. Please keep up the momentum.
Call, email, write or fax Governor Crist today with this message:
“Please veto House Bill 971. The mandatory use of bicycle lanes poses a number of significant safety and legal problems for cyclists. Allowing motorized vehicles on sidewalks sets a bad precedent. Vehicles belong on roadways, not on sidewalks. HB 971 will make the law and its enforcement more complicated, not less, and will make cycling less safe and enjoyable.”
The Honorable Charlie Crist
Governor of Florida
The Capitol, Suite PL05
400 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee FL 32399
fax: 850-487-0801; phone: 850-488-7146; email: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
Below is a copy of the FBA letter to Governor Crist:
May 17, 2010
The Honorable Charlie Crist
Governor of Florida
The Capitol, Suite PL05
Tallahassee FL 32399
Dear Governor Crist:
The Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) has serious concerns about House Bill 971, and respectfully requests your veto of the bill. Our members are not merely bicyclists, but also bicycle and pedestrian planners, traffic engineers, and bicycle safety educators, and we have identified a number of problems with the mandatory bicycle lane use amendment, as well as with allowing local governments to permit certain types of motorized vehicles on sidewalks and trails. FBA was unfortunately not included in discussions about these amendments.
The mandatory use of bicycle lanes poses a number of significant safety and legal problems for cyclists. Many members of the general public, as well as some law enforcement officers, already have a poor understanding of the existing law and of the real safety needs of cyclists. Current law requires bicyclists to drive as far right as practicable, but includes a number of exceptions that are in-practice very common on our streets and highways. Such misunderstandings already lead to unwarranted citations, as well as to harassment by motorists that will only be aggravated by the new law; any cyclist to the left of the bicycle lane stripe will be deemed a law-breaker by those with an incomplete understanding of the law.
There are also many roadways with striped (but undesignated) areas that do not meet bicycle lane standards, but that many motorists and law enforcement officers (as well as many bicyclists) believe to be bike lanes. Bicyclists driving outside of such areas will not likely be cited for violations, but will likely suffer harassment by uninformed motorists. Such harassment is the primary deterrent to cycling for many people.
There are numerous bike lanes around the state that do not meet Florida Green Book standards, and these facilities pose significant risks to cyclists. Bicyclists who avoid such lanes will be put in the position of defending themselves against unwarranted citations to officers and judges who do not understand the standards. One should not have to defend oneself for driving a vehicle in a safe and defensive manner.
Pairs and groups of bicyclists will be required to travel single-file on roadways with designated bike lanes, even when traffic volumes are low and passing is easy. They will not be so restricted on roadways without bike lanes.
The law permitting local governments to enact ordinances to allow motorized vehicles on sidewalks may not in practice pose problems for many pedestrians, but we feel it sets a bad precedent. Vehicles belong on roadways, not on sidewalks. We should be focusing on making our roadways safer for lower-speed vehicles instead of moving them into pedestrian areas.
Florida’s bicyclists wish to be part of the solution for many of our states challenges. Florida Bicycle Association is working hard to ensure cyclists understand the safest ways of using our roadways. HB 971 will make the law and its enforcement more complicated, not less, and will make cycling less safe and enjoyable.
Sincerely,
David Henderson
Board President
cc: Chuck Drago, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor
Celebrate National Bike to Work Week May 17-21
Celebrate National Bike to Work Week May 17-21 promoted by the League of American Bicyclists. For a list of events throughout Florida, check out the FBA calendar of events or contact your local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or Commuter Services office. In Florida, every week should be Bike to Work Week, but be sure to support your local events throughout May 17-21.
Ride Your Bike to Work Day: Jacksonville
| May 21, 2010 | ||
| 7:00 am |
Join Council Member Don Redman and the North Florida Bicycle Club for “Ride Your Bike to Work Day”. Organized group rides will depart from 3 locations in Jacksonville. Each group will have an escort provided by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
CHAMPION CYCLING AND LAKESHORE BICYCLE & FITNESS owners have also
volunteered vans to transport other personal belongings for the trip Downtown. The Police
escort and Van service will not be available for the return trip. The MS Ride to the Shore and
ADA Tour de Cure groups will provide refreshments.
The Arlington group will depart at 7:05 AM from the Food Lion located at 966 Arlington Rd
N, Jacksonville, FL across from Champion Cycling. The contact person for this group is Stan
of Champion Cycling at 904-724-4922.
Route: West in Arlington Expressway Service Rd: south on Cesery Blvd merging to
University Blvd: West on Atlantic Blvd: north on Kings Ave: west on Prudential Dr: north on
Hendricks Ave west on Gulf Life Dr: over Acosta Bridge: east on Water St : north on Hogan to
Hemming Plaza.
The Southside group will depart at 6:50 AM from Kmart located at 9600 San Jose Blvd,
Jacksonville, FL near the intersection of San Jose and St. Augustine Road. The ride leaders for
this group are Phil Foreman 904-982-4380 and North Florida Bicycle Club General Director
Bert Shaw at 415-425-2334.
Route: North on San Jose Boulevard: north on Hendricks Ave: west on Gulf Life Dr: over
Acosta Bridge: east on Water St: north on Hogan to Hemming Plaza.
The Westside group will depart at 7:10 AM from Publix located at 4495 Roosevelt Blvd #103, Jacksonville, FL. The ride leader for this group is Charlie Fetzer of Lakeshore Bicycle & Fitness at 904-716-7364 or 384-7945 and North Florida Bicycle Club General member Jeanne Hargrave at 904-563-7724.
Route: North on St Johns Ave: west on King St: north on Riverside Ave: east on Water St:
north on Hogan to Hemming Plaza.
All groups will meet briefly on Pearl Street between the CSX building and the Times Union
Center for performing Arts before ending at Hemming Plaza around 7:40AM. Mayor John
Peyton, Council Member Don Redman will gather for a short ceremony where Mayor Peyton
will present a proclamation to the North Florida Bicycle Club. Council Member Redman will
provide juice and bagels for the riders. The North Florida Bicycle Club will provide Cycling
Guides.
FREE Bicycle Commuter Workshops and Basic Repairs: Jacksonville
| May 17, 2010 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 7:00 pm |
FREE Bicycle Commuter Workshops and Basic Repairs:
Three local bike shops will provide commuting workshops from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Champion Cycling will host a workshop in
Arlington, 724-4922, and Mandarin 262-5744. Lakeshore Cycling Bicycle & Fitness, 384-7945, will host a Westside clinic. All bicycle commuter workshops are free and open to the public.
Visit North Florida Bicycle Club for information about bicycling in North Florida and Jacksonville Transportation Authority for information regarding bikes on buses.
St Johns County Proclamation for National Bike Week
| May 18, 2010 | ||
| 9:00 am |
What:
St Johns County is doing a proclamation for bike week. Come if you can!
Some bike to work recognition will be included in this proclamation.
A diverse group of bicyclist will come to show the commission how important this issue is to the community.
If you are able to attend, please call 209-0300 for additional information. The presentation will be around 9 am in the board of county commission chambers.
Where:
Saint Johns County Commission Chambers
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Elizabeth De Jesus
Commuter Services Manager
North Florida TPO
1022 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Telephone: 904-306-7505
Fax: 904-306-7501
E-Mail: edejesus@NorthFloridaTPO.com
Webpages: www.NorthFloridaTPO.com
