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.
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.
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
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 8th for the 2nd 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.
USA Today: Fla. deadliest state for walkers, cyclists
Monday, March 1, 2010
By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY
MIAMI, Florida — Florida is the deadliest state in the U.S. for pedestrians — and bicyclists don’t fare any better.
In 2008, the most recent year for which federal statistics are available, 11.1% of pedestrians and 17.4% of bicyclists killed in the U.S. died in the Sunshine State, which has 6% of the nation’s population.
The top four of the 10 most dangerous metropolitan areas for walking are in Florida, according to a study last fall by two Washington, D.C.-based non-profit groups. The state has been in the top three in bicycle and pedestrian fatalities every year since 2001, federal data show.
The statistics perplex state officials. “There are so many factors involved and most of them are random,” says Marianne Trussell, chief safety officer for Florida’s Department of Transportation. “We’re trying to figure out root causes and how we can fix it.”
There’s a debate over those causes: Is Florida so deadly for walkers and cyclists because of the behavior of drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists? Or because of inherent flaws in the way roads are designed and built?
………………..Underlying these factors, transportation safety officials say, is behavior: “Somebody is doing something they shouldn’t be doing,” Trussell explains. “Drivers are making a right turn and not yielding to pedestrians, or making a right turn on red. Pedestrians are not paying attention to traffic, or they’re crossing the street midblock instead of going to the intersection.”
She takes issue with the November study by Transportation for America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership that spotlighted dangers to pedestrians in Florida. The study found pedestrians in Florida — and around the U.S. — are endangered by the nation’s shift from development clustered around traditional streets to wide, high-speed roads designed to move thousands of vehicles.
“The roadways aren’t as dangerous as the (study) would have made it seem,” she says. “It’s not the roads. The roads are just sitting there by themselves.”…..
To read the full article, click here:
advocacy awards bike culture complete streets conferences events FBA safety traffic justice trails
by Laura
leave a comment
2010 ProBike/ProWalk Florida Conference
| May 11, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
| May 12, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
| May 13, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
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!
advocacy bike culture events FBA traffic justice trails
by Laura
leave a comment
Florida Bike Summit 2010
| April 7, 2010 | ||
| 7:00 pm | ||
| April 8, 2010 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 2:00 pm |
| 5:00 pm | to | 6:30 pm |
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
A POWERFUL TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
I sat in on the LEBA (Law Enforcement Bicycle Association) course last week. While the classroom segment on laws was short, instructor Bill Edgar gave them all Florida Bicycle/Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guides. He also reinforced a number of key things throughout the course and encouraged the students to educate their fellow officers about the laws and cyclists’ rights as vehicle drivers.
For a full recap of the class, go HERE.
FBA continues the development of our Bicycle Law Enforcement Program. Visit our dedicated website often for updates and to “Ask Geo” questions about the law.
Keri Caffrey
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