Florida Bicycle Association

2010 ProBike/ProWalk Florida Conference

Come to Lakeland for the fifth ProBike/ProWalk Florida Conference “The Dollars and Sense of Bicycling and Walking” brought to you by the Florida Bicycle Association.  The conference will be held May 11-13, 2010 at the Lakeland Center.  Pre-conference activities will be held May 11. The conference begins May 12. The official host hotel is the Hyatt Place at Lakeland Center. Highlights include:

National, state and local dignitaries

Florida Bicycle Association Annual Meeting and Awards presentation

Educational and advocacy breakout sessions

Mobile Workshops

Continued education credits

Speakers will provide information and data to begin making the case that routinely accommodating pedestrians and cyclists makes total economic sense.

For more information and to register, go HERE!

Jacksonville Traffic Skills 101 Class

Lakeshore Bicycles & Fitness, 2106 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL

Cost: $35 general admission; $30 for members of Tour de Cure and Katie Ride for Life 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.

Florida Bike Summit 2010

Get Ready to Make a Difference!

Come to Tallahassee for the 2nd Annual Florida Bike Summit at the State Capitol 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

Secured bicycle parking

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

Join the Million Car Challenge Campaign

Are you in or are you out? Check out this terrific campaign by visiting the Bicycle Allowed Use of Full Lane (baufl.org) website. Read the Campaign first and then click away at the other terrific categories. By purchasing BAUFL campaign stickers, you’ll help deliver the message on one million cars to millions and millions of drivers.  For someone who rarely puts stickers on a car, this message is posted loud and clear on my car. FBA has also ordered a customized supply of Bicycle May Use Full Lane campaign stickers in a static cling format since this message replicates the official road sign (shape and color) according to the MUTCD. FBA members will receive a complimentary sticker when you renew your membership or make an additional donation to benefit the Bicycle Law Enforcement Program. New members will also receive a sticker.  Help promote this campaign to educate all drivers. The FBA stickers are also great for surfaces/places other than your car. The generic adhesive sticker format is available from baufl.org.

Key Biscayne Memorial Ride dedicated to Christophe Le Canne : Sunday, January 24th 9am

What would be smart is for the organizers of the ride to print out those statements on pieces of paper and give out safety pins (most of the guys who are going to show up are racers anyway, so they know how to pin a #). Let’s get out from underneath our helmets and jerseys and show South Florida that we are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, neighbors, just trying to make our world a little better, one pedal stroke at a time – Jeffrey Lynne

What happened last week to Mr. Le Canne was horrific beyond comprehension.  What happened many months back to Liz Stewart was a tragedy.  What happened to Leon last year will not be forgotten.  Every time a cyclist is killed I am reminded of just how volatile life is each time we get on a bike.  Thus, our efforts at zMotion towards Ride Right/ Drive Right to inform and educate motorist and cyclist alike of the responsibilities we both have on the road. I can completely understand the need for cyclist to gather and memorialize those killed riding , and at the same time I want to caution us,  in doing so we run the risk of aggravating, antagonizing and fostering even further resentment from the very ones who oppose us now.  A memorial ride of any magnitude will be difficult to manage without any instances or confrontations with motorist .  I know the purpose of such a ride, I am just not sure of the outcome.

In this particular incident if the message is we need better roads for cyclist, no amount of improvements, but for a separate and barricaded bicycle facility, could have saved Mr. Le Canne from a drunk driver.  The demand to “make improvements” to the causeway, while fully supported by the South Florida Bike Coalition, begs the question – what amount of “improvements” could have saved his life? The answer is “none”. This was simply an unfortunate event that had nothing to do (I hope) with someone with a vendetta against cyclists. It could have been a jogger. It could have been another car. However, in this instance, it was someone not protected by the exoskeleton of a 2 ton vehicle.  The cycling community will undoubtedly receive a lot of press, but don’t assume the message you are trying to communicate will be received by those you are trying to communicate to. I would prefer to have Kathryn Moore or someone from an existing organization designated as the “spokesperson” for the gathering so that a single, clear message be conveyed – cyclists have the right to be on the road and will not tolerate being treated as second-class citizens by any local government.

As the leader of zMotion I feel compelled to support our fellow cyclists in the most positive way we can without asking anything more from our members than they themselves choose  to do. If a member wants to join in the memorial ride, I support that. If they choose not to, I am ok with that too. I do not want our members to feel pressured one way or the other, any display of emotion for a cause such as this should be an individual decision, not mine or zMotion as an organization . However, that said,  for those zMotion members that do ride I simply  ask that they do so safely, responsibly and help further set the example as leaders that zMotion has come to be known for.

To the family of Mr Le Canne, my deepest sympathy. – Pat Patregnani

FBA Winter Board Meeting in Lakeland

Join us this weekend, January 8-9, for the FBA Winter Board meeting in Lakeland at the Hyatt Place Lakeland Center, 525 West Orange Street, Lakeland, FL 33815, (863) 4153-1122. When making reservations, use corporate ID #46575 to receive the $89 rate. The fun begins Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm for a Meet & Greet at Texas Cattle Company, 735 East Main Street, Lakeland, FL 33801-5038, (863) 686-1434. A Saturday morning bike ride from 7:30-9:00 am originating from the hotel precedes the meeting which begins at 10:00 am.  The meeting adjourns at 5:00 pm.

I hope you can join us. Please RSVP if you plan to attend to insure space is available by contacting Laura Hallam at laura@floridabicycle.org.

FBA Winter Board Meeting

Join us this weekend, January 8-9, for the FBA Winter Board meeting in Lakeland at the Hyatt Place Lakeland Center, 525 West Orange Street, Lakeland, FL 33815, (863) 4153-1122. When making reservations, use corporate ID #46575 to receive the $89 rate. The fun begins Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm for a Meet & Greet at Texas Cattle Company, 735 East Main Street, Lakeland, FL 33801-5038, (863) 686-1434. A Saturday morning bike ride from 7:30-9:00 am originating from the hotel precedes the meeting which begins at 10:00 am.  The meeting adjourns at 5:00 pm.

I hope you can join us. Please RSVP if you plan to attend to insure space is available by contacting Laura Hallam at laura@floridabicycle.org.

National Cycling Organization Hosts Gatherings In Florida

JANUARY 4, 2009

Contact: Winona Bateman, 800-755-2453 x219, Email: wbateman@adventurecycling.org

The director of North America’s largest cycling membership organization will visit Florida from January 11 – 16, 2010, to speak about the life-changing potential of cycling and bicycle travel. Events will be held in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and in the Miami/Dade area.

Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling, will share the latest news on bicycle travel and adventures in North America, including new bike-friendly routes, maps, tours, and policy initiatives at the national level — such as an official U.S. Bicycle Route System, now being considered by Congress. At each event, there will also be time for participants to share their thoughts, ideas and stories. Whether you have made a New Year’s Resolution to get in shape, lower your carbon footprint, or you want to plan an overnight (or epic) cycling adventure, there will be inspiration for everyone.

Invite your cycling buddies, other friends, or family. These events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP by contacting Beth Petersen at Adventure Cycling Association: 800-755-2453 x 211, or via email at bpetersen@adventurecycling.org.

TALLAHASSEE – MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010

What: Presentation on the latest news and resources for bicycle travel

Who: Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association, North America’s largest cycling membership group, based in Missoula, MT (www.adventurecycling.org). This event is co-sponsored by Capital City Cyclists.

When: Monday, January 11 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Where: Florida Education Association, 3^rd floor board room, 213 South Adams Street, one block from the State Capitol. Directions at http://feaweb.org/about-fea.

Why: Meet people interested in cycling, bike travel and touring, and find all the resources and inspiration you’ll need to enjoy the life-changing activity of bicycle travel.

Cost: Free and open to the public. Bring friends interested in cycling and bike travel.

RSVP: Please RSVP by January 6th

JACKSONVILLE – TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2010

What: Presentation on the latest news and resources for bicycle travel

Who: Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association, North America’s largest cycling membership group, based in Missoula, MT (www.adventurecycling.org).

When: Tuesday, January 12 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Where: Brooks Family YMCA, 10423 Centurion Parkway North in Jacksonville. For more information about the location visit http://www.firstcoastymca.org/brooks-branch, or call 904-854-2000.

Why: Meet people interested in cycling, bike travel and touring, and find all the resources and inspiration you’ll need to enjoy the life-changing activity of bicycle travel.

Cost: Free and open to the public. Bring friends interested in cycling and bike travel.

RSVP: Please RSVP by January 8^th

ORLANDO – WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010

What: Presentation on the latest news and resources for bicycle travel

Who: Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association, North America’s largest cycling membership group, based in Missoula, MT (www.adventurecycling.org).

When: Wednesday, January 13 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Where: Grace Hopper Hall (Baldwin Park), located in central Orlando on 1913 Meeting Place. For directions, click on http://www.baldwinparkfl.com/web/directions.asp — or call 407-529-3800.

Why: Meet people interested in cycling, bike travel and touring, and find all the resources and inspiration you’ll need to enjoy the life-changing activity of bicycle travel.

Cost: Free and open to the public. Bring friends interested in cycling and bike travel.

RSVP: Please RSVP by January 11^th

MIAMI/DADE AREA – THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010

What: Presentation on the latest news and resources for bicycle travel

Who: Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association, North America’s largest cycling membership group, based in Missoula, MT (www.adventurecycling.org).

When: Thursday, January 14, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Where: Coral Gables Branch Library, located at 3443 Segovia St., in Coral Gables. More information on location here: http://www.mdpls.org/info/locations/cg.asp.

Why: Meet people interested in cycling, bike travel and touring, and find all the resources and inspiration you’ll need to enjoy the life-changing activity of bicycle travel.

Cost: Free and open to the public. Bring friends interested in cycling and bike travel.

RSVP: Please RSVP by January 12th

TAMPA – SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2010

What: Presentation on the latest news and resources for bicycle travel

Who: Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association, North America’s largest cycling membership group, based in Missoula, MT (www.adventurecycling.org).

When: Saturday, January 16 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm

Where: Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium, located in central Tampa at 14407 B North Dale Mabry. For directions, click on http://cbebikes.com/storelocator/ — or call 813-963-5765.

Why: Meet people interested in cycling, bike travel and touring, and find all the resources and inspiration you’ll need to enjoy the life-changing activity of bicycle travel.

Cost: Free and open to the public. Bring friends interested in cycling and bike travel.

RSVP: Please RSVP by January 13th

# # #

Adventure Cycling Association is the premier bicycle travel organization in North America with over 44,000 members. A nonprofit organization, its mission is to inspire people of all ages to travel by bicycle. It produces routes and maps for cycling in North America, organizes more than 40 tours annually, and publishes the best bicycle travel information anywhere, including Adventure Cyclist magazine and The Cyclists’ Yellow Pages online. With 38,158 meticulously mapped miles in the Adventure Cycling Route Network, Adventure Cycling gives cyclists the tools and confidence to create their own bike travel adventures. Contact the office at (800) 755-BIKE (2453), info@adventurecycling.org, or visit www.adventurecycling.org.

Make your year-end donation to FBA to support our Bicycle Law Enforcement Program

Dear Friends of FBA:

Do you know the laws about bicycling?

Have you ever experienced a situation in which a law enforcement officer was not aware of the laws or safe cycling practices?

The laws about bicycling are difficult and confusing.  They are not a high priority in the busy schedules of officers, and they receive little or no training.

The Bicycle Law Enforcement Program (BLEP) will change that.  The materials will be useful for many audiences, including cyclists and clubs, motorists and driver training, government officials and others. Since the law enforcement community is critical to all education and enforcement, they are our initial target audience. This program will change the culture of the roadways and greatly enhance the cycling environment.

2009-Five Modules

This year, we are completing five modules that will explain the laws and safe cycling practices related to some of the most basic, but most misunderstood topics, including:

• When is a cyclist required to keep right?
• When is a cyclist not required to keep right?
• Can a cyclist legally impede traffic?
• What laws are frequently violated by bicyclists and motorists?

2010 –Beta Test and Develop the Full Program

These modules will be available in DVD format and provided to selected law enforcement agencies for Beta testing during 2010.  They will be 5-10 minutes in length and adapted to roll-call training opportunities.

During 2010, we will complete the remaining 15 modules to develop a comprehensive two-hour training program about the laws that will be an interactive, web-based curriculum available to any officer in the state of Florida.

There are officers around the state who are helping us insure the program materials will meet the needs of the law enforcement community by participating in the Officer Advisory Panel.  Their feedback is critical to program quality.

Ask Geo – http://flbikelaw.org

As a part of the program, we have established a website for Q&A about the laws and the program.  This website is helping us understand the needs and problems with law enforcement related to the laws about cycling.  Please review the site and provide your input and ask questions.

Funding

In the past, the program has been funded by a Florida Department of Transportation safety grant and private donations from a very generous benefactor.  We are seeking $100,000 for 2010 to complete the program

Please consider a year-end contribution to specifically fund this program. Just click “Join Us” on our homepage to make your contribution online.

For more information about the program, do not hesitate to contact program director George Martin at flbikelaw@floridabicycle.org.

On behalf of the Florida Bicycle Association Board of Directors and Advisory Members, have a happy, healthy holiday season. Your voice counts towards making Florida a bicycle-friendly place to live, work and ride. Your membership and financial support makes us stronger.

Sincerely,

Laura Hallam, Executive Director

P.S. If you need holiday gift suggestions, consider a FBA membership, FBA apparel, Share the Road license plate or gift certificate for the 2010 Bike Florida Spring Tour (March 27-April 2).  Visit the website for memberships and apparel, www.sharetheroad.org to purchase a license plate, and www.bikeflorida.org for Spring Tour gift certificates.

Greenways: A win-win for everyone

I was happy to see the East Coast Greenway featured in The Times-Union (Jacksonville newspaper). Contrary to feedback from some of your readers, greenways and trails accommodate more than just bicyclists.They welcome walkers, runners, in-line skaters, hand cyclers, horseback riders and baby carriages. In addition, when it comes to typical trail users, variety is the standard. I have seen everything from spandex to cargo shorts and tricycles to skateboards. I know one man whose wife is confined to a wheelchair and they are regular greenway riders via a custom bicycle-built-for-two.

When it comes to cyclists alone, the following economic returns are documented:

- They contribute $133 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

- They support nearly 1.1 million jobs across the country.

- They generate $17.7 billion in annual federal and state tax revenue.

- They produce $6.2 billion in bicycling gear sales and services.

- They create $46.9 billion in bicycling trip-related expenditures.

Regarding real estate values, in 2003, Marion County, Ind., was studied and trails were credited for increasing property values by $140 million. A new trail corridor in Austin, Texas raised land values and generated $13.64 million in new property tax revenues. In 2006, the Dallas Morning News reported a 25 percent premium on land abutting the Katy Trail.

In Florida, the Pinellas Trail draws 1.1 million users per year and it propelled downtown Dunedin from a 30 percent vacancy rate to a waiting list for business properties. The West Orange Trail created a similar revival in downtown Winter Garden, adding about 650,000 people. Further north, the Cross Florida Greenway attracts over 2 million users annually.

Corporate America increasingly supports recreational trails. Greenways and trails provide construction jobs and increased economic growth. They offer recreational opportunities, alternative transportation and increased property value.

Most importantly, greenways and trails provide positive experiences and health benefits for generations of users.

STEVEN DAVIS,

Landscape Architect, Fruit Cove