Call for Nominations: FBA Annual Awards
Do you know a worthy recipient who has contributed significantly to bicycling in Florida? Honor their efforts and achievements with a FBA Annual Award nomination. A list of categories and previous winners is available on the website, as well as the nomination form. The nomination deadline is March 1st, 2011, and award presentations will take place in conjunction with the Florida Bike Summit in Tallahassee on March 24th (need not be present to win).
Help us to bring attention to the groups, organizations, and individuals that promote our mission to enjoy greater freedom and well being through bicycling – send in your nominations today!
Good news! State parks safe for now
It looks like state parks have been ‘held harmless’ in the new governor’s budget. However, this is not the end of the battle. The legislature might still opt to take the 15% reduction in DEP’s budget and close parks in order to plug the 3.5 billion dollar hole in the state budget. Check out the link and ‘stay tuned,
Bill Richards, Paddle Florida
3rd Annual Florida Bike Summit needs you
| March 24, 2011 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 6:00 pm |
As a cyclist you know the squeaky wheel gets the grease and March 24th is our day to take the cycling cause to the Capitol – your voice combined with others will make a difference!
The Florida Bicycle Association invites you to Tallahassee for the 3rd annual Florida Bike Summit on Thursday, March 24, 2011. Our press conference in the Capitol Courtyard will start at 11:30AM. Registration is free. Your time and presence will help in getting the attention of our legislators that their constituents demand the rights of bicyclists to be taken seriously. They won’t know unless you tell them.
You don’t have to be ultra articulate, and you don’t have to have multiple talking points in bullet form. All you have to do is say, “I am a citizen of your district, and I support enhanced penalties for moving vehicle violations that cause serious injury or death.” Done. Have a few more minutes? Here’s your next sentence: “I also support distracted driver legislation that makes violations a primary offense.” Wow, not only easy, but now you’re feeling pretty good to have spoken out.
Register TODAY for the Florida Bicycle Summit. Sign in, show up and speak up for cycling!
The 2011 FBA Annual Awards presentation will take place in conjunction with the Summit during the press event. The nomination deadline is March 1, 2011 so don’t delay in nominating worthy individuals or organizations. A list of categories and previous winners is available on the website, as well as a nomination form. Nominations go to Interim Executive Director Dan Moser by email, fax or mail:
dan@floridabicycle.org; ph/fax 239-334-6417
1449 Linhart Ave., Fort Myers FL 33901
3rd Annual Florida Bike Summit needs you
As a cyclist you know the squeaky wheel gets the grease and March 24th is our day to take the cycling cause to the Capitol – your voice combined with others will make a difference!
The Florida Bicycle Association invites you to Tallahassee for the 3rd annual Florida Bike Summit on Thursday, March 24, 2011. Our press conference in the Capitol Courtyard will start at 11:30AM. Registration is free. Your time and presence will help in getting the attention of our legislators that their constituents demand the rights of bicyclists to be taken seriously. They won’t know unless you tell them.
You don’t have to be ultra articulate, and you don’t have to have multiple talking points in bullet form. All you have to do is say, “I am a citizen of your district, and I support enhanced penalties for moving vehicle violations that cause serious injury or death.” Done. Have a few more minutes? Here’s your next sentence: “I also support distracted driver legislation that makes violations a primary offense.” Wow, not only easy, but now you’re feeling pretty good to have spoken out.
Register TODAY for the Florida Bicycle Summit. Sign in, show up and speak up for cycling!
The 2011 FBA Annual Awards presentation will take place in conjunction with the Summit during the press event. The nomination deadline is March 1, 2011 so don’t delay in nominating worthy individuals or organizations. A list of categories and previous winners is available on the website, as well as a nomination form. Nominations go to Interim Executive Director Dan Moser by email, fax or mail:
dan@floridabicycle.org; ph/fax 239-334-6417
1449 Linhart Ave., Fort Myers FL 33901
Action Alert: Protect OGT and 53 state parks
Here we go again! The current budget cuts proposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection call for eliminating the Office of Greenways and Trails and closing 53 state parks, including the San Felasco State Preserve (Home of the Tour de Felasco), and Big Shoals in White Springs (Home of the Ididaride).
A complete list can be found here.
The proposed budget in the House can be viewed by going to http://www.myfloridahouse.gov, click on Committees, click on Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, then click on the Meeting Packets link on the right, then download the .pdf for the January 26, 2011 meeting. Items 50 and 52 on page 40 give the details.
A similar bill is in committee in the Senate.
Call your legislators NOW!!
Email the chairs of the committees. The chair of the House Committee is Trudi Williams and the chair of the Senate Committee is Alan Hays. Representative Williams email address is: trudi.williams@myfloridahouse.gov Senator Hays’ email address is: hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov
The rest of the members of the House committee are as follows:
Trudi.Williams@myfloridahouse.gov
Steve.Crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov
Leonard.Bembry@myflioridahouse.gov
Ben.Albritton@myfloridahouse.com
Frank.Artiles@myfloridahouse.gov
Jim.Boyd@myfloridahouse.gov
Luis.Garcia@myfloridahouse.gov
Tom.Goodson@myfloridahouse.gov
Clay.Ingram@myfloridahouse.gov
George.Moraitis@myfloridahouse.gov
Steven.Perman@myfloridahouse.gov
Elizabeth.Porter@myfloridahouse.gov
Vasilinda.Rehwinkel@myfloridahouse.gov
Patrick.Rooney@myfloridahouse.gov
Franklin.Sands@myfloridahouse.gov
Stephanie.Massengale@myflorida.gov
Senate General Government Appropriations Committee member information is as follows:
Chair: Senator D. Alan Hays hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov
Vice Chair: Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Larcenia J. Bullard bullard.larcenia.web@flseante.gov
Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla portilla.miguel.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Anthony C. “Tony” Hill, Sr. hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Dennis L. Jones, D.C. jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Jack Latvala latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov
Please email or call the Chairs first, then move on to the other committee members as you have time.
Below are some important statistics you can use in your correspondence.
With an estimated $3.5Billion budget shortfall this fiscal year, now more than ever, we need our voices heard! The new Governor has stressed that economic development and tourism are two of his top priorities, and visitors to State Parks and Greenways are great examples of tourists spending money!
Do your part to help preserve some of the best trails in the State of Florida!
Contributed by: Hal Downing and Rob Ern
FBA hires new executive director
Tim Bustos is FBA’s new executive director effective March 7, 2011. Tim isn’t new to Florida since he began his professional career in Pensacola including eight years as the Regional Bicycle Coordinator for seven counties in Northwest Florida, plus served on the board of the original FBA back in the 1980′s. After spending the past 16 years in California in positions ranging from the City of Davis Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator to transportation planning for a variety of clients, Tim is ready to come home. Tim’s skill set includes extensive experience working with non-profit organizations including fund raising and grant writing to help finance a wide variety of successful projects. His two terms as a board member of the California Bicycle Coalition will also be an asset to moving FBA to the next level.
Tim will hit the ground running (or flying) since on March 8 he’ll travel to Washington DC to represent FBA at the National Bike Summit along with Dan Moser, interim ED and program director. Today is the last day to qualify for the early bird discount so don’t delay if you plan to attend the Summit.
Thanks to all the outstanding candidates who applied for the position. The Search Committee had a difficult task, but ultimately, chose the best person for the job. Laura Hallam’s last official day was 1/31/11, but will assist with the transition and stay involved as a volunteer.
CyclingSavvy Weekend Package in February
| February 4, 2011 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
| February 5, 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 11:00 am |
| 12:30 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
Get it all done in one weekend for the next CyclingSavvy series in Orlando.
We will give you the tools to use a bike for transportation, without stress or fear, anywhere you choose.
Weekend Package: Friday, 2/4/11, 6-9pm and Saturday, 2/5/11, 8am-4pm (with a lunch break) – all day class includes bike handling and Tour of Orlando with a break between sessions. You can also select just the morning session or afternoon session (if you’ve previously taken the other two sessions)
To register, go HERE. For more information, go HERE.
Fee: $75 for all three sessions or $30 per session a la carte.
Traffic Skills 101: Tampa 2/18-19
| February 18, 2011 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
| February 19, 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
Penn’s Cycling School Presents:
Traffic Skills 101
Who: Anyone who wants to improve bicycle handling skills, ride safe in traffic and learn evasive maneuvers. This is a pre-requisite course for League Certified Instructors.
When: February 18th and 19th, 2011
Time: Friday: 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Tampa Bay Trail Ranger Station: 9201 W Waters Ave Tampa, Fl – 33635
What: This is a 9 hour course designed by League of American Bicyclists to teach you how to ride safely in traffic, develop bicycle handling skills, hot to use multi-use trails, and to fix common mechanical problems. The class will also include a 7- 10 mile road skills test in which will ride to a spot to eat lunch (to be purchased individually). For a certificate of completion you must also obtain 80% on a written test.
Cost: $125.00 (includes materials, refreshments and Sat AM breakfast) Pre registration required – space is limited
By Mail: Send checks Payable to: Sharon Monahan, 18808 Tracer Drive, Lutz, FL 33549
QUESTIONS: Contact Sharon by phone 813-482-4364
Important Information
- All riders must sign a release
- All riders must have an approved Helmet and 2 wheeled bicycle in good working order – see your local bicycle shop for tune-up details.