Florida Bicycle Association

Memorial Day knifer to be prosecuted

Here is an update on the knifing incident that took place at the Kent University, Jacksonville, FL. on Memorial Day. Here is a link to the  Sheriff’s report. It is the most complete and accurate account of the incident. 

The alleged knifer is 25 year old Matt Salmons. He is charged with two counts of aggravated battery and one count of simple battery. There may be some of you who will want to observe the legal proceedings and maybe even attend the trial. Here is what we know so far:

The defendant is Matt Salmons. The State Attorney case number is 2010-CF-047910 and the Attorney for the State assigned to this case is Theresa Simak. The Clerk case number is  2010-CF-005975. The defendant will be arraigned on June 23rd 2010 at 9AM in Courtroom 9 which is located on the 2nd floor of the Duval County Courthouse. I have left a message for Ms. Simak to call me.  I want to make sure she knows the cycling community is very interested in this case.

Pass this info on to anyone interested.

Scott A. Wilson, Assistant to Don Redman, Jacksonville City Council

Both cyclists are expected to make a full recovery.

One way we cyclists could show solidarity with the injured cyclists would be for abot 20 cyclists to sit quietly at the back of the courtroom each day of the proceedings, and observe. This was done last year in California and the offending driver received serious jail time. After the case, the prosecutor stated that the presence of the cyclists made a big difference.

As we receive additional information I will make it available to you.

In addition to being the FBA First Coast Chapter Director, I am the President of the North Florida Bicycle Club and we will be working closely with the City of Jacksonville to find solutions for this kind of behavior.

Memorial Day Bike Ride ends with altercation between motorist and 2 cyclists

The North Florida Bicycle Club took action following a recent altercation following a group ride by sending the following message to club members:

As many of you already know, there was an incident at Monday’s Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) Kent Campus Memorial Day ride where two bicyclists were stabbed in an altercation with a motorist.  Both cyclists were transported to the hospital, where one remains with serious injuries.  Apparently, neither of the riders are NFBC members as neither were well known to members who were present.  We ask that you join in prayers for the injured cyclists and offer wishes for a speedy recovery.

It is not our position to judge the circumstances of this incident.  We all, however, need to be aware that we may have encounters with motorists on the road that could lead to tempers being lost and altercations escalating in severity and danger.  We urge all members to conduct themselves appropriately on the road, asserting our rights to the use of the roads, but also to be respectful of motorists.  While actions of motorists may adversely affect us as cyclists, either by accident or intentionally, we urge everyone to exercise restraint in reacting to such incidents.  Should any incident result in an injury or altercation, please do not try to take matters into your own hands…dial 911 and allow law enforcement to appropriately handle the situation.

John M. McDowell, PE
2010 NFBC Ride Director

The NFBC is taking action with respect to leadership in riding skills, rules of the road and rider behavior.  Unfortunately, we only are able to influence NFBC members.  The two that were stabbed are not NFBC members and we do not know the behavior of the riders leading up to the confrontation.  We are aware that cyclists are part of the problem, and we can do just so much to influence cyclists both in our club and have very little influence over non-club members.  NFBC is being proactive with the City of Jacksonville to create an understanding for both cyclists and motorists of the rights and responsibilities of all parties.

Steven Davis said, “Tragedy is everyone’s first concern.  Damage to organized cycling and the entire cycling economy is close behind in those concerns.”

Share this message with other club cyclists, as well as other organized groups. This problem is not unique to any particular area of Florida and the only way to get through to the worst offenders is to work with law enforcement to crack down on aggressive driving and behavior by cyclists and motorists  We need to find ways to educate all users of the road to behave with courtesy and respect. This will take an enormous culture change.

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.

Blessing of the Bikes in Tallahassee

May is National Bicycle Month and Tallahassee is kicking it off with a blessing of the bikes at Railroad Square in Tallahassee.
Each year we invite a diverse group of religious figures to come out and do a prayer for cyclists and bicycles.

We have had rabbi, catholic priests, wicken, and native american shaman. Maybe this year we will have a gospel choir on top of it all. This is as a way to come together to appreciate the bicycle, its benefits, its effect on people and the community that is created because of them. Why should we not be blessing the most efficient means of transportation that humanity has ever and probably will ever create?

So come get your bicycle blessed, hang with other cyclists and stay for First Friday.

For more information visit our Facebook page.

Cyclists take over Capitol Courtyard at Florida Bike Summit

Members of the Florida Bicycle Association from around the state gathered with Bike Florida at the Capitol on Thursday, April 8^th for the 2^nd annual Florida Bike Summit.  Modeled after the highly successful National Bike Summit that recently celebrated it’s tenth anniversary in Washington, DC, the Florida Bike Summit generated dozens of meetings with legislators’ support on pending legislation to enhance safe riding throughout the State.  Policy reform is a critical element of our program and change requires advocacy from Pensacola to Key West. A focus on Tallahassee and state policy is important for all of us, even those who remain focused on local issues, as many of FBA’s members discovered.

Rep. Adam Fetterman

“Florida has lots of natural advantages that could make it a leader in sustainable transportation and recreation if we make the investment in safer roads, connected trails and communities that support transportation choices,” says FBA Board president David Henderson.

Ken Bryan, director of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Florida Field Office, and Representative Julio Robaina announced the creation of the Florida Pedestrian/Bicycle Partnership Council, made up of state agencies, local governments and private groups to guide to the State agencies on bicycle and pedestrian policy and practice.

Rep. Julio Robaino

Based on responses to a survey administered last summer, FBA established a list of priority actions.  The Florida Bike Summit 2010 Agenda included the “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law”, House Bill 41/Senate Bill 448, and thanks to a relationship with the Florida chapter of ABATE, American Bikers Aimed Towards Education), “Increased fines for car drivers who cause serious injury or death of a motorcyclist, bicyclist or pedestrian, House Bill 875/Senate Bill 1918.

Advocates walked the halls of the Senate and House of Representatives meeting with key leaders and their staff to encourage their support.

Sen. Paula Dockery & David Henderson, Board Prez

The result of this important event are primarily two-fold:  increased awareness of your rights and concerns as a bicyclist among lawmakers as well as inspired and educated FBA members who gained critical hands on experience in effectively advocating for better policies.

T4America Poll: Strong Support for Bike and Ped

New poll shows Americans strongly support public transportation; more walking & biking. Check it out!

Mighk Wilson

People for Bikes

Imagine one million people speaking out for bicycling with a united, powerful voice.

One week ago tonight, at the National Bike Summit in Washington, DC, Bikes Belong officially launched peopleforbikes.org – a brand-new initiative to put more people on bikes more often.

We’re collecting one million names in support of a better future for biking – one that’s safer, more convenient, and more appealing for everyone. And we’re giving people the tools to support pro-bike policies and spread the joy of bicycling in their own communities.

At this very early stage, the peopleforbikes.org movement will depend heavily on support from bicycle advocates, enthusiasts, and leaders like you. Please take a moment to visit our website and become one of the first to sign our pledge:

Every day, millions of Americans ride for their health, for the environment, for their communities, and for the pure joy of bicycling. But until now, only a fraction of riders have stood up to help improve bicycling in America.

Peopleforbikes.org is going to change all that. We’ll build on the expert work of existing bike advocacy groups – our partners – to develop a powerful movement with the clout and influence to get things done. That means promoting bike-riding on an individual level, but also sending a unified message to our elected leaders, the media, and the public that bicycling should have their full support.

Check out our website and learn more about this effort:

Though peopleforbikes.org is already up and running, we’re planning a broader public launch to coincide with the Bicycle Leadership Conference and Sea Otter Classic in April. Right now, your support is essential to launch and grow this effort.

After all, life is better when it’s experienced on two wheels. You and I know this – and now we can take this message to millions of people across the country.

Sincerely,

Tim Blumenthal
Executive Director, Bikes Belong Coalition

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!

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

19th Annual Tour de Forts, Sunday, April 25th @ 6:30 a.m.

The North Florida Bicycle Club brings you a classic one-day bicycle event designed for all road cyclists, the 19th annual Tour de Forts. Choose a distance of 18, 30, 62, 75, or 100 miles. Enjoy a wonderful bike ride with pre-ride snacks, rest stops, a post-ride lunch, mechanical support, motorcycle escorts, and roving sags. Click here to sign up through Active.com. Normal Online Registration with complementary T-shirt closes April 12, 2010- Late Online Registration without complementary T-shirt closes April 21