Messenger Building a Bicycle-Friendly Florida Vol. 19, No. 2 • Spring 2016 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA BICYCLE ASSOCIATION, INC.
Fast Track 2015 Florida Bicycle Association Annual Awards to... Congratulations to our 2015 Florida Bicycle Association Annual Award recipients! Club Sanibel Bicycle Club
Off Road Club SORBA Orlando
Law Enforcement Agency Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Safe Routes to School Educator Jojo Sturm Membership 2 Crossing Guard Supervisor Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Blue Light Corner 4 Supporting Agency Electric Bikes 10 Paul Steinman, Secretary Stephen Benson, Ask Geo 11 Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Specialist FDOT District 7 Gears 102 12 Program Volunteer Touring Calendar 14 Couch to Century Tad Diesel Leslee Mitchell, President Florida Freewheelers Volunteer Jared & Jennifer Hartman Citizen Advocate Hugh Aaron Special Recognition PAID
Tampa, FL Tampa, BikeWalk Indian River County U.S. Postage U.S. Jeff & Jodi Hohlstein Permit #2899 Permit NON-PROFIT ORG. Bike Business Special Recognition Orchid Island Bikes and Kayaks Earl Lang MARCH Malcolm Allen owner Bicycle Friendly Business is Florida Elected Official Champion Christine Acosta Commissioner Bob Solari Pedal Power Promoters, LLC Bike Month! Indian River County Bicycle Friendly Business Elected Official Champion Karen Kress Go to our special Mayor Rick Kriseman Tampa Downtown Partnership web page listing at City of St. Petersburg Bicycle Professional floridabicycle.org/ Trails Promoter Lucas Cruse florida-bike-month-events/
P.O. Box 2452, Oldsmar, FL 34677 Box 2452, Oldsmar, P.O. Chuck Butterfield, President Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Friends of the Legacy Trail City of St. Petersburg for events and activities Visit our website floridabicycle.org/annual-awards for more information on throughout the month our annual award program and our 2015 recipients. Nominations for 2016 will open in October! Page 2 Florida Bicycle Association Building a Bicycle-Friendly Florida We Love Our Members! Thanks to the Support of our Donors and Members Lifetime Members Supporter: Advocate: Duke Breitenbach William Afonso Jim Dodson Law Kimberly Cooper Mark & Phyllis Atkins Panther Medical Inc.-Richard Rappaport William R. Hough Joseph Beckham Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation Walter Long Robert Bennett Orange Cycle Works James Nash Timothy Bol Gainesville Cycling Club Mr. & Mrs. H. Middleton Raynal Cheri Crawford Ocala Mountain Bike Club Earle & Laura Reynolds Matthew Crawford North Florida Bicycle Club Dr. Joe Warren Ronald Gricius Mighk & Carol Wilson Don Hemmenway New Businesses/Clubs/Orgs. Marcia Kehl Cycling Hub Join FBA Today! Ellen Kirtley Individual/Family High Donors Locals Helping Locals, Inc. Christopher & Andrea LeDew Your membership makes a difference Champion: Orchid Island Bikes and Kayaks Paul& Lois Lester for all bicyclists in Florida. Chris Hamilton River to Sea TPO Rob & Nancy Matteson Deborah Mallery Visit: www.fbamembership.org Perry McGriff, Jr. & Noel McGriff Ann Megler New Members Student/Living Lightly...... $15 Patrick J McNulty Dean Mimms Connie Bell Joan Meiners Benefactor: Snowbird...... $15 Stephen Perz Philip Bennett Sharon Monahan Becky Afonso Individual ...... $25 Martin & Barbara Port Sherilynn Bennett Earl Pinney Niles & Vickie Andersen John Robertson Ronald Bevacqua Leo Racicot Family ...... $35 James Anderson Karin Sanders Alice Bojanowski Paul Ricci Bicycle Club...... $100 Donald & Sandra Brody Karen Speed Jena B Brooks & Lawrence Simon Christopher & Cindy Burns Bicycle Shop...... $100 John & Kathy Stamp Jon Barber Thomas & Judith Linda Crider Business/Organization. . . . . $100 Robert Timberman Jerry Brown Sharbaugh Terence Deeks Ludwig & Anchorelle Van Sprang Matthew Crawford Mike Smith Government Agency...... $100 Patrick Donovan Ed Wolcott Dolores Edge David & Paul Soto Higher donations are most appreciated! Lonnie M Draper & Kathy Barnett Caroline Worrall Loretta Estabrooks Jesus Soto & Maria Ines Mark Greenberg Pay conveniently online or make check Michael Grimes Totesautt de Soto Thomas Hauser payable and mail to: Chris Hamilton Marsha Stanton Florida Bicycle Association Seth Krieger & Kathy Peres Club/Business High Donors Audrey Hicks Randall Stovall P.O. Box 2452, Oldsmar FL 34677 Joseph Moccia Premier Partners: Dave Hunter Larry & Janice Tuck Don Philpott Polk County Sports Marketing Individual/Family High Cathy Lasky Melissa Tuck David Lawrence Dorothy Walter Donor Memberships: Champion: Michael Legg Lifetime (contact FBA) Boca Raton Bicycle Club Florida Freewheelers Bicycle Club Legacy ($500+) Champion ($250-$499) Benefactor ($100-$249) Supporter ($50-$99) Business/Organization Categories (annual donations) Premier Partner ($10,000+) Champion ($5,000-$9,999) Patron ($2,500-$4,999) Advocate ($500-$2,499) Member Clubs & Shops ($100) Memberships include a subscription to the quarterly Messenger, access to online member forums and general sense of satisfaction for supporting bicycle education and advocacy in Florida.
VISIT FBA’s Website LOG-IN to the FBA Blog STAY UP-TO-DATE on bicycle issues with this statewide forum @www.floridabicycle.org Spring 2016 Page 3 Board of Directors City names denote board and program staff member distribution. Is your area represented? Contact a board member today! J. Steele Olmstead, President Jim Dodson, Secretary Executive Director 10 14517 N. 18th Street 310 Wildwood Way Jacksonville Becky Afonso Sopchoppy 10 Tampa FL 33613 Clearwater FL 33756 250 Strathmore Avenue 813-979-4949 727-446-0840 Oldsmar FL 34677 Gainesville [email protected] [email protected] 813-748-1513
[email protected] 75 John Egberts, Vice President Chris LeDew, Secretary P.O. Box 118208 11867 Narrow Oak Lane S. Orlando Gainesville FL 32611 Jacksonville FL 32223 Administrative Assistant Oldsmar (FBA HQ) 4 352-294-1685 904-613-5833 Laura Hallam Clearwater Tampa [email protected] [email protected] 367 Buckhorn Creek Road Sopchoppy FL 32358 Tim Bol 407-399-9961 75 301 E. Pine Street, Ste. 800 [email protected] Orlando FL 32801 407-393-6691 Membership 75 [email protected] Please email: Working Together to Build [email protected] Advisory Board Mailing address: a Bicycle-friendly Florida Chris Burns, Chair, Jacksonville Dwight Kingsbury, Historian Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory [email protected] OUR MISSION: for Florida bicycling is to network and share best practices, to educate and Committee advocate and to build awareness as a unified voice. [email protected] Earl Lang, Past Vice President [email protected] OUR VISION: for Florida is to be a state where bicycling is safe, respected and encouraged as a Keri Caffrey, Co-Founder, means of transportation and recreation. CyclingSavvy. Program Henry N. Lawrence, III, Consultant, American Bicycling Past President & Founding OUR PURPOSE: Education Association Member, FBA • To educate bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists about safely sharing roadways and paths [email protected] [email protected] • To be a powerful, influential voice that protects and advances the interests of bicyclists • To encourage the creation of great on-road and off-road places to ride Dan Connaughton, Director Laura Minns, Central Florida • To provide a statewide communications network for bicyclists Florida Traffic & Bicycle Safety Regional Transportation Education Program Authority (LYNX) • To encourage more people to bicycle more often [email protected] [email protected] Help Us Grow the Base! Give to FBA Steve Diez, Hernando County Dan Moser, Columnist MPO Fort Myers Florida Weekly he Florida Bicycle Association was founded by people like you who want to make Florida a [email protected] [email protected] Tbetter place to ride a bicycle. Our projects and programs that benefit bicyclists are made possible primarily through membership and sponsorship to our organization. Simply put, without David Henderson, Roger Pierce, Florida Bicycle membership, sponsorship and donations, the Florida Bicycle Association would not exist. Keep Past President, FBA Touring Calendar Miami-Dade County MPO [email protected] bicycle enjoyment alive in Florida and help us in the fight against bicycle fatalities, Join FBA! [email protected] Did you know your membership donation to FBA is tax-deductible? Paula Saracki, FBA Messenger FBA is a 501(c)(3) education and charitable nonprofit corporation. You can join FBA online or Herb Hiller, Journalist [email protected] [email protected] download and mail an application from our website, www.floridabicycle.org. You can request an John Sinibaldi, Jr. application to be mailed to you by contacting Becky Afonso at 813-748-1513. Jodi Hohlstein St. Petersburg Bicycle Club Does your place of employment offer matching gifts to non-profits? Think FBA! Past President, FBA [email protected] [email protected] Bicycling is one of life’s simple pleasures to enjoy, not fear. Join or donate to the Florida Bicycle Lisa Walker, Public Affairs Association and let’s ride together for Florida bicycling excellence. Contact Becky Afonso at becky@ Jeff Hohlstein [email protected] floridabicycle.org for more information on ways to donate to FBA. Past Secretary, FBA [email protected] Randall Williams, former The Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) was incorporated in 1997 for educational and charitable purposes. FBA is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations, including membership dues, are tax Messenger editor, [email protected] deductible. A copy of the current financial statements may be obtained by contacting FBA. To become a member supporter of FBA, join online at www.fbamembership.org Stay in Touch with FBA! The Messenger is published quarterly as a service to members and advocates for a bicycle-friendly Florida by the: Florida Bicycle Association, P O. . Box 2452, Oldsmar, FL 34677 Subscribe to our weekly blog from the www floridabicycle. org. • e-mail: Becky@floridabicycle org. • Phone: 813-748-1513 FBA website: www.floridabicycle.org Messenger Copy and Advertising Information and Deadlines: Deadlines: FBA Membership includes a subscription to the Messenger. The FBA accepts and welcomes your advertising! Like us on Facebook: Winter Issue – November 15 www.facebook.com/FloridaBicycleAssociation Please see the website for rates and specifications or e-mail: [email protected]. Spring Issue – February 15 Publishers reserve the right to review advertising content and to reject advertising that, in Summer Issue – May 15 Follow us on Twitter: the opinion of the Association, is neither in the best interest of FBA’s members nor its goals Autumn Issue – August 15 A copy of the official registration and financial information (ch9008) may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the www.twitter.com/FloridaBicycle state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. http:/www.800helpfla.com/ Page 4 Florida Bicycle Association President’s Message... BLUE LIGHT CORNER Florida Bike Month Bringing Back Bike Patrol by J. Steele Olmstead, President Lt. Katie Heck, Community Services/Public Information arch is Florida Bike Month and May is National Punta Gorda Police Department, Agency member of FBA MBike Month. Initiated by our friends at the ur police department bike team is related to cycling behavior and more apt League of American Bicyclists in 1956, National Bike Oinstrumental in our involvement with to follow advice on how to prevent bike Month highlights the benefits of bicycling. Unless the cycling community. Riding a bicycle theft. This camaraderie is important to you’re a history buff like me, you may not be aware of allows officers to get out of their vehicle and community-oriented policing. the dramatic impact bicycles had when they were first enjoy more personal contact with citizens Because bike patrols run on human commercially available to the mass market. while covering more ground than if on foot. power rather than gas, their carbon The bike team saves fuel, promotes officer footprint is much smaller than patrol First available in 1920 as three and four I don’t need to tell you about the New health, and at the same time, strengthens cars. With zero emissions and less need wheeled self-propelled devices, the Scottish York Attorney General’s investigation into community relations with the department. for pavement, bicycle patrols may be an inventor and blacksmith, Kirkpatrick the fossil fuel industry revealing industry The bike officer can respond to a greater attractive option for communities with MacMillan, improved the self-propelled knowledge about the public health area quickly, quietly, and with a low profile. green initiatives. device by creating one with only two problems caused by their products. It is With the introduction of new technologies The Punta Gorda Police Department wheels. The French took it from there in akin to the tobacco industry exposé. Our such as laptops, advancements to patrol bike team attends local events to provide 1863 (at the beginning of the U. S. Civil dependence on fossil fuel transportation is cars, and expanded areas to cover, police cycling safety information to the public, and War) and gave us the mass-produced two only our choosing. The bicycle lifestyle is officers assigned to bike patrol were on the also patrols in plain clothes for operations wheeled bicycle featured in the French right here before you. decline – but here’s why they should make to enforce the 3-foot rule or target areas lithographs we all know. As we move forward, Florida Bicycle a comeback. where we experience a rise in bicycle This mass-produced bicycle was Association will keep pointing to the One of the biggest advantages to bicycle thefts. The team is currently comprised popular among the elites and upper class in obvious: the state of Florida has perfect patrol is its ability to navigate swiftly around of five members who are also assigned to Europe and the United States to the degree climate and terrain for a bicycling lifestyle. a metropolitan area, avoiding obstacles and normal road patrol duties. Throughout that bicycles became a “craze” in the 1890s. The Florida Bicycle Association is here to hazards that would stop a patrol vehicle in their shifts, day or night, they can choose Part of this craze was propelled by the educate and bring about a new bicycling its tracks. A downtown area is littered with to ride their bicycle to patrol their assigned emancipating possibilities bicycles gave to Golden Age. FBA is looking forward to its car-free zones, clusters of buildings with areas. On bike patrol an officer can many women. These were small machines lacking singular, unique role as the only statewide, limited vehicle access, construction, and times operate relatively unnoticed until the labor-intensive aspects horses and membership based organization educating events. Bike officers have the unmatched they announce their presence to a criminal, primitive motorcars presented. The famous and informing our Governor, the 50 State ability to be in the center of crowds with making them an incredible asset for suffragette, Susan B Anthony, referred to a Senators, 120 State Representatives, the the means to get to other areas quickly. nighttime neighborhood patrols, as well as bicycle as a “freedom machine.” 31 state agencies, 67 county commissions, In a time when many communities are downtown near bars and closed businesses. It still is a liberating machine for us now. 282 city councils, 109 town councils, and promoting bicycle safety, it’s important to Additionally, bike patrol officers tend All of the aspects of old bicycles (safety, 19 village councils on the health, economic have officers on the road practicing what is to be healthier and more physically fit than low-cost, liberating and invigorating) still and transportation benefits of bicycling. preached. Cyclists can connect with bicycle their car-bound brethren. This has the exist in a bicycle sitting in your garage or It’s a big job. officers differently than with officers in a side benefit of improving the department’s living room. In a syllogistic sequence, here’s where patrol car. They may be more receptive image and cutting down on those obligatory Two barriers impede the new age of FBA is critical: We educate, creating to education and/or enforcement efforts donut jokes. cycling: education and awareness. I know understanding, increasing enforcement, of two anecdotal tales of families that observation of laws and new laws that have given up their automobiles in part promotes, educates and protects bicycling, or completely. With moderate lifestyle resulting in wider participation and better adjustments, their renewed age of cycling outcomes for Florida’s citizens and visitors is giving them (excellent) cardio health, Thanks for being a part of it. Don’t financial improvement and a deeper forget to renew your membership and ask connection to the community. your bike shop to join. Ride smart.
Open Letter to the President J. Steele Olmstead by Thomas J. DeMarco, M.D., Whistler, British Columbia (and Plantation, FL) As a long time member of FBA, I am very pleased to learn that you are our new president judging from the content of your message in the Winter 2016 Messenger (I am that third person who actually read it!), especially with both my personal interest in the environment and my professional in- terest in health and safety (I am a practicing family doctor). I particularly enjoyed your courage to challenge the hegemony of private motor vehicles in our current transportation paradigm. In order to continue to make prog- ress with the promotion of cycling as a viable form of displacement, we must address society’s profound addiction to driving. More bike paths are always nice, but if only we could successfully campaign to make driving slower, more expensive and less convenient, then cycling on the streets and roads of Florida would explode in popularity. Officers Chodakowsky and Jimenez patrol the bike path. (photo by K. Heck) Spring 2016 Page 5 Thanks to Earl Lang The Messenger’s new “Impact” he new look of the Messenger that was Paula and Dan Saracki are both very By: Steele Olmstead, FBA President Tunveiled two issues ago is thanks to involved in the Oldsmar community. Dan our new graphic design company, Impact serves on Oldsmar City Council Seat 2, here are times when you have to mark that bicycling can save Florida’s waterways, Grafx, Inc. Founder Paula Saracki has been Treasurer of Oldsmar Historical Society Tthe passing in a watershed moment. wetlands, lands and air, as well as its designing newspapers for nearly 30 years. and is Chair of the Oldsmar Centennial The departure of Earl Lang from the Florida citizens. He has demanded and received She started Impact Grafx in 1999 because Task Force. Paula is a board member and Bicycle Association Board of Directors is from his fellow board members laser focus she was tired of the long commute to Public Relations Chair for Commercial just such a moment. on the mission and cheerful enthusiasm for downtown Tampa to work every day. She Real Estate Women (CREW Tampa Bay). Earl is “retired,” according to 20th cen- the execution of FBA’s long-term goals. wanted to start her own graphics business She is also a member of the Womans Club tury definition of that word, but you would During his time on the FBA Board, to work closer to home and enjoy more of Oldsmar, and Ways and Means Chair for not know it. He, until recently, owned a bi- his education of anyone who listened, his flexibility in her schedule. the Top of the Bay Garden Club. Impact cycle shop, is in a bicycle club, writes letters writings, his passions for safety and the Her vision paid off, and Impact Grafx Grafx, Inc. is a member of the Upper on behalf of bicycling issues, makes calls to enjoyment of our sport, favorite commute has become a successful, award-winning Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and his legislators, appears before city and coun- method, recreational activity, dates on family-operated company. Paula and her Small Business of the Year Award recipient. ty commissions, and in his spare time was bicycles, family times riding together, husband Dan Saracki are both avid a member of the FBA Board of Directors. fellowship and friendship while bicycling bicycle riders and proud members This is Earl’s definition of “retirement.” have all been made safer. All bicycle drivers of the Florida Bicycle Association. During his retirement, Earl has gone great in the State of Florida, whether resident or They ride their bikes to their office distances for the mission of Florida Bicycle visiting, owe a debt to Earl Lang. in Oldsmar every day and enjoy Association and we have all benefited. On one of his social pages he lists his frequenting the Oldsmar Trail. Politically, Earl is a staunch Libertarian, bragging rights as, “I have and can still go Their daughter Deanna assists with but you will not find him letting any great distances on bikes.” graphic design duties from her ideology of his or others get in the way As the president of the FBA Board home in Ft. Myers so she can also of his mission: spreading the good news of Directors, I know Earl has gone great care for her two young sons. of bicycling in Florida. Earl has been distances to make bicycling safer, better Impact Grafx specializes in being the best friend Florida bicycling has had and more enjoyable in Florida. And he a one-stop shop for their clients’ during his eight-year term on the Board will continue to do so. Thank you, Earl, marketing needs. They design logos of Directors. During his term, he was on from the Board of Directors, on behalf and corporate branding, layout several significant committees and even of the membership and future members, flyers and publications, create served as vice president. You will find Earl and those that have benefited from your websites and email marketing, build as a staunch bicyclist. Like many of you as dedication to making Florida the best place trade show booths and signs, handle members of FBA, Earl has known for years to ride bicycles. mailings and all types of printing. Paula enjoys riding her bike to work. (photo by Dan Saracki)
Rejjee selected as official bike registry for CSS Request the Florida Bicycle Association SAFE Bikes to be the spearhead for a statewide program to reduce bike theft.
ejjee, Inc., the smart way to manage all “What makes Rejjee unique and highly • Post or view Rof your valuables, has been selected by valuable to both users and cops tracking reports on the the Florida Bicycle Association to be their down stolen bikes is that Rejjee covers not neighborhood lost & found official bicycle registry to help reduce bike just your bike but all of your valuables. Rejjee is also working with other theft and increase recovery of stolen bikes. For you to have 10 different registries for associations around the country to More than 200,000 bikes are stolen 10 different types of valuables just doesn’t reduce bike theft including MassBike, in Florida each year, and more than two make sense.” Rejjee’s neighborhood lost & MassCommute, and the New York Bicycle million nationwide according to the FBI. found allows users to post incidents in real- Coalition. The company is a Microsoft Yet fewer than two percent are returned time, right from their smartphone, and is CityNext partner helping cities across the One email back in October became a to the rightful owner with many winding viewed by neighbors and monitored by country reduce bike theft and was recently morning shared with fellow bicycling up for sale on eBay or Craigslist, mainly local police. a featured presenter and exhibitor at the because so few bicycle owners have their SAFE Bikes launched in Boston last National League of Cities. Rejjee has also enthusiasts in January. Thanks to bikes registered. summer, in partnership with the Boston been selected to present a keynote address Gerry Chesterman (left) of the Gator “Bike theft is a major problem Police Department, MBTA Police, on ‘Reducing Bike Theft on Campus’ at the Cruisers and Jim DeVoss (right) of the throughout the state,” says Becky Afonso, Somerville Police, Arlington Police, as well International Association of Campus Law Indian Creek Riders for orchestrating Executive Director of the Florida Bicycle as several campuses in the greater Boston Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) our Complete Streets Savvy (CSS) Association. “We see Rejjee as a highly area. The program was highly successful national conference in June. effective tool to help riders protect their returning stolen bikes at 7 times the presentation in Fort Myers. Although About Rejjee bikes and aid local law enforcement in national average and was profiled in a Fox the Friday morning club ride was Rejjee is the smart way to manage all tracking down stolen bikes and returning 25 News story. canceled due to inclement weather, of your valuables. The mobile app lets us- them to their users. And because it’s free it SAFE Bikes is fast and free for both ers register an unlimited number of valu- the club meeting was attended by can benefit all of our members.” cyclists and law enforcement: “Bike thieves suck,” says Ken Smith, co- ables, and includes a real-time loss/theft 67 members, mostly snowbirds, who • Download the free app (iOS & Android) Founder and Head of Product for Rejjee. reporting tool. The platform also includes enjoyed our CSS program with their and create an account at www.rejjee. “For a lot of riders it’s not just your bike, it’s a neighborhood lost & found where neigh- com/safebikes coffee and donuts. your passion, your way to work or across bors can search, post, and recover lost campus. It’s your ride.” Smith is also an • Register your bike (including serial items of value. Founded in 2014, Rejjee’s Go to http://floridabicycle.org/ avid cyclist and commuter and volunteer number) as well as other valuables mission is to take $1B in stolen goods off complete-streets-savvy/ Ride Safety Marshall for Boston Bike Party. • Report loss/theft in real-time right from the internet. Contact: [email protected]. to make your CSS Request your phone Page 6 Florida Bicycle Association
Wheels of Justice – Ask the Attorney by Christopher G. Burns, Esq. – an attorney who has specialized in enforcing the rights of injured cyclists for more than 30 years. He is the Chairman for the Jacksonville (Fla.) Bicycle Pedestrian Riding on the Sidewalk Advisory Committee. Consultations are free of charge. You may reach him at 904-632-2424, [email protected], or www.FloridaCyclingLaw.com.
uestion: Am I allowed to ride a bike for heading eastbound on the sidewalk weigh thousands of pounds more than the often do not pull into the next lane to pass. Qon the sidewalk? Do I have to get immediately adjacent to a westbound cyclist and bicycle. Vehicles are usually Motorists may “buzz” or “squeeze” the off my bike and walk? Can I only ride on road lane for motorists, or for heading traveling numerous times faster than the cyclist, or even worse. So some cyclists do the sidewalk in the same direction as the northbound next to the southbound cyclist. A cyclist hit by a car at 45 mph or not always exercise their right to use the traffic next to me is going? motorist lane. There is nothing illegal even 35 mph will often die. Novice cyclists road – they retreat to the sidewalk. Answer: Florida state law says that about such cycling behavior. These cyclists often believe a sidewalk collision would One type of sidewalk/crosswalk cyclists who ride on the sidewalk have were not riding illegally the “wrong way”. be at much slower speed, and will yield accident seems to be most common in all the rights and duties of a pedestrian. Another misunderstanding too often held lesser injuries. Some roads have too high a Florida, in my experience. Crashes have Florida bicyclists can RIDE LEGALLY by police officers is that cyclists must stay speed limit for novice cyclists to feel safe or occurred frequently when a motorist exits in EITHER DIRECTION on a sidewalk. off the sidewalk altogether. Unless there comfortable. Some roads have dangerous from a shopping center or other driveway, They don’t have to walk their bicycles. is a contradicting local ordinance, under conditions for novice cyclists, such as metal and collides with a cyclist in the crosswalk. They must yield to walking pedestrians in Florida state law, cyclists may ride legally gratings or other road furniture. Some The motorist wishes to make a right turn crosswalks or sidewalks. They must give an on the sidewalk. roads are poorly maintained, and their onto the main road, and only checks for “audible signal” before passing a pedestrian Why would we cyclists select the condition is dangerous for cycling. Lots vehicular traffic to the driver’s left. In on the sidewalk or crosswalk. Cyclists sidewalk? Why not be in the road, away of parents feel it is entirely too dangerous this situation, the exiting driver often still have the same equipment obligations from slower moving pedestrians, baby to allow their children to ride in the road, fails to look to his/her right. The driver is when riding on the sidewalk as on the strollers, dogs, and other impediments with faster motor vehicles, because children concentrating only on vehicles to his/her street. Helmets must be worn by youth on the sidewalk? Bicycle safety may not be capable of understanding and left, which would prevent the anticipated cyclists 15 and under according to Florida advocates recommend that cyclists ride reacting to the dangers they confront. right turn onto the roadway. The failure of state law. At dark, cyclists on the sidewalk predominantly in the road, but there are Moreover, the average motorist won’t give a the motorist to look to his/her right results must have lights. All too frequently, police certainly limitations to this advice. While cyclist adequate room when passing. Most in a collision with the oncoming cyclist, officers mistakenly believe that cyclists can bicycle safety experts usually urge cyclists to roads in urban areas are inadequately wide who has already left the sidewalk and only ride one direction on the sidewalk. I avoid the sidewalk, some cyclists still chose for motorists to pass cyclists, while both entered the crosswalk, or who is so close to have seen cyclists issued traffic citations the sidewalk out of FEAR. Motor vehicles stay in the same travel lane. Yet, motorists the crosswalk that he/she cannot stop.
FDOT’s “Complete Streets” Provide Options for Cyclists By: DeWayne Carver, AICP, State Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Florida Department of Transportation Roadway Design Office 605 Suwannee Street MS 32, Tallahassee FL 32399-0450 850-414-4322, [email protected] lorida DOT’s “Complete Streets of options for bicycle facility FImplementation Plan,” released designs. In addition to shared in December 2015, details how the lanes and bike lanes (shared lanes Department will execute the Complete work especially well on low-speed Streets Policy adopted in September 2014. urban streets), newer bikeway The plan provides a timeline for updating designs such as urban shared manuals, guidance, performance measures, use paths may become feasible. Cyclists on SR 907 (Alton Road) in Miami Beach must use a shared lane due to a wider sidewalk. design standards and criteria to “provide While these facilities are typically limited a context-sensitive system of complete in extent, they can offer off-street bicycle (but of course with new, larger bike lane been installed. The cyclist on the right in streets.” For FDOT, Complete Streets means travel suitable for unskilled riders who standards). But if a community is focused the photo is dressed in casual clothes and is designing the roadway to match its context, are unfamiliar with traffic bicycling, such on more traditional and walkable land use riding a Bike Share rental bike – she might while safely accommodating all users of as children and tourists. Traffic cyclists, patterns, with mixed-use development or might not be a trained traffic bicyclist. the system. For example, at one extreme would, of course, be free to continue to supporting multimodal transportation, This was not the only possible option might be a low-speed street in a very operate in traffic as they do now. Matching then a larger tool box will be offered on for this road– a buffered bike lane might urban downtown with on-street parking, roadway design to context will allow traffic your State roadway design and operation. have been installed instead of on-street sidewalks, and frequent crosswalks. At the cyclists to operate more safely by managing This will allow the roadway to match the parking, or an urban shared use path, or other extreme might be a high-speed rural vehicle speeds and motorist expectations. context in terms of function, design, and other solutions. Complete Streets does not road in the open countryside with only a A Complete Streets approach will provide operation. imply a single solution, but rather a careful paved shoulder and limited provisions greater flexibility to explore these options. The photo shows SR 907 (Alton Road) evaluation of the community’s needs and for pedestrians (such as perhaps a shared The Complete Streets Policy also in Miami Beach, FL. Current FDOT design the possibilities of the project to provide for use path on one side.) Both roads are requires the Department to work with standards call for a bike lane, but the the variety of users of the street. “complete” for their contexts – they support local governments to reflect current and community’s desire was for a wider sidewalk These types of thoughtful tradeoffs cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, transit, planned land uses and land use patterns instead. Using a context-based design, the between design options would be easier and freight. In between is a great range of in the design of the road. So, if a location Department provided the wider sidewalk and even routine under the new Complete contexts and compatible roadway designs. is based on conventional suburban large- and required cyclists to use a shared lane. Streets approach. Hopefully they will Using a Complete Streets approach allows lot, single-use land development, it will Because this is a low-speed roadway with continue to provide the kinds of success FDOT to match the design to the context get more or less the same kinds of roads as on-street parking and 11’ lanes, the shared shown here. with greater precision than is done today. today, which are designed to support such lane design works well – better, perhaps, To learn more about FDOT’s Complete Complete Streets means a wider range automobile-centered development patterns than the narrow bike lane that might have Streets effort, visit FLcompletestreets.com. Spring 2016 Page 7
Executive Director’s Corner... Face to Face with FDOT by Becky Afonso, Director
the best paper design may not be the best design for a project. Next the group took a walk along Las Olas Blvd. to experience in-pavement crosswalk lighting, crossing flags, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), time-of-day parking and colored pavement intersections. A bike share ride wice a year DeWayne Carver, Florida using Broward B-Cycle had to be skipped TDepartment of Transportation in order to keep to the agenda with things (FDOT) Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator to see and experience in Miami-Dade in the Road Design office, organizes a County. FDOT Bicycle/Pedestrian Face-to-Face A drive down Alton Road demonstrated meeting. The bicycle/pedestrian coordina- how a Complete Street was achieved tor and safety specialist from each of the with neighborhood input (see photo in seven FDOT districts attend this two-day DeWayne’s story). Green bike lanes on (top) Bicycle/Pedestrian meeting; a day in the field to experience the Julia Tuttle Causeway and MacArthur Coordinators work in the field. first-hand the treatments and design in use Causeway were compared by observing Carver pointing out advantages and a day in conference to discuss what first-hand the texture and fading of color of thermo treatment. was seen in the field. The meetings move between an epoxy verses thermo treatment. (photos by Becky Afonso) from district to district. On February 9th A walk along Calle Ocho served as a late and 10th, Districts 4 and 6 (South Florida) afternoon break and an opportunity to hosted the bi-annual FDOT Face-to-Face observe vehicle speeds, sidewalk widths and Florida Bicycle Association was there. and mid-block crossings in a dense During this time there The field day agenda went from 7AM pedestrian area on the eastbound street of was one question to Florida to 5PM. Starting in Miami-Dade County, a one-way pair. Bicycle Association from the group left Coconut Grove to take a ride Day two of the meeting started with a District 1, “What did FBA on Metrorail and Tri Rail to Hollywood. A presentation from Victor Dover of Dover, get out of attending the walk down Hollywood Blvd. from the train Kohl & Partners Town Planning. Victor meeting”? station in Broward County to downtown Dover is a South Miami resident and co- The answer: Quite a lot. Hollywood gave the group the opportunity authored “Street Design: The Secret to Great There is value to experience. to witness transect changes, vehicle speeds, Cities and Towns” with John Massengale. Building relationships and ADA sidewalk treatments and effects of the Victor discussed how street design disseminating information built environment. could go from accommodating crowds to is a people process that Vans were utilized to move the group to creating community. The shape, comfort, takes more than an email the A1A Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. An connectedness and safety of a street will or phone call; it takes A1A reconstruction project was inspected create memorable experiences that users face-to-face contact. The opportunity for If you have a question or concern for and the group once again experienced will want to access again and again. Florida Bicycle Association to attend the your FDOT District bicycle/pedestrian for themselves the look and feel of the The meeting concluded with everyone FDOT bicycle/pedestrian meeting gives coordinator, their contact information environment: on-street parking, bike in the room taking a turn to discuss the field FBA firsthand knowledge that the bicycle/ is listed on page 15. Feel free to mention lanes, street trees, crosswalks and travel day and to bring up any news or concerns. pedestrian coordinators working for that Becky of FBA sent you, but don’t be speeds. A few coordinators noted that This gave District 5 the opportunity to share FDOT are working on the implementation surprised if there’s a little chuckle. It’s not often things look good on paper, but until their interactive bicycle and pedestrian of Complete Streets. This is information so much an inside joke as it is a validation all considerations are taken into account, planning tool and address any questions or worth sharing to our membership. – we need to work together. including what is called “ground-truth”, concerns in person. Page 8 Florida Bicycle Association Stroll or Ride on the Capital City to the Sea Trails By Doug Alderson – author of several award-winning outdoor books, is the assistant bureau chief of the Office of Greenways and Trails, part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks. Originally published in the Tallahassee Democrat on November 6, 2015. Updated for our spring issue
he only problem with the GF & A Railroad State Trail, Florida’s first “Rails TTrail, often called the Gopher, Frog and to Trails” project and an important spine Alligator Trail through the Apalachicola for the Capital City to the Sea Trails National Forest, is that it is too short. system, has long been popular with riders Largely following the abandoned bed of and walkers, offering a largely canopied the Georgia, Florida and Alabama (GF&A) ride from Tallahassee to the coast. More Railroad, the paved trail winds through than 140,000 people use the 12-foot wide scenic piney woods, over small hills, and paved path each year for health, relaxation just when you’re getting in the groove, it and access to tasty food. “This town [St. ends after only 2.4 miles. But until more Marks] is not along any major highway, trail is built as part of the Capital City to so it is a destination. You have to want to (top) Georgia the Sea Trails system, you can extend your come here,” said Stanley West, owner of Ackerman rides past trip on paved backroads in the region or, the Riverside Café on the shores of the St. fall wildflowers on if you have a hybrid or mountain bike, on Marks River. “It used to be at the end of a Ochlockonee Bay Trail. unpaved Forest Service roads. railroad, and now we’re at the end of a bike (right) St. Marks Beginning at Trout Pond off Springhill trail. Trail users make up 15 to 20 percent Trail riders by Doug Road, this is probably the most remote of the of my business. The trail’s been good for the Alderson. paved multi-use trails in our region since it whole community.” (photos by traverses the national forest, and it might be Currently, efforts are underway to Doug Alderson) the only one where you can see bear scat in create the Coastal Trail along U.S. 98 to the trail, or possibly bears! The trail traverses bridge the distance from the Tallahassee- the historic mill town of Helen, now only a St. Marks Trail to the Ochlocknee Bay Trail. memory. A Civilian Conservation Corps Construction may begin in late 2016 or early (CCC) camp once existed on the edge 2017. Once the Coastal Trail is complete, it of town. Men who participated in this would mean 57 miles of connected trail, Calling all FBA Members: Depression-era work program built roads the longest completed stretch thus far and bridges and planted thousands of trees. in the state. Plus, the now defunct Oaks A sign provides an historical overview. Restaurant and Shopping Center site Show us your RIDE Two-fer! The 12-mile Ochlocknee Bay Trail, near the Ochlocknee Bay Bridge has been Lee Sisselsky shared his which runs from Mashes Sands to purchased by the Florida Department of plate and personal story Sopchoppy, is another existing paved trail Transportation and will be converted into behind “2RDQR”: in the system. About two miles of the trail a trailhead by Wakulla County. My wife and I have been just west of U.S. 98 is incomplete, but this “We plan to have 40 to 50 more miles riding in the Tour de Cure scenic trail is worth a visit. Near the Mashes of trail in the next five years,” says project since 2008 . Her Type 2 Sands Trailhead, there are expansive views manager Jon Sewell of Kimley-Horn and diagnosis back in 2006 is of the coast and marshlands. Along Surf Associates. “A system like this will not only be what got us back on our bikes Road to Sopchoppy, the trail traverses part a national draw, but an international draw.” and exercising again . of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge The trail system is being spearheaded by with its pine forests and ponds. If riding a the Capital Region Transportation Planning After our first Tour de Cure hybrid or mountain bike, several unpaved Agency and much of the funding comes event I became a volunteer roads through the refuge offer exciting from federal and state transportation dollars. for the American Diabetes side trips. Plus, one can take a break in The entire planned network of trails will take Association and have been Sopchoppy for pizza and beverages. several years to finish, but don’t let that stop helping to put on the Tour de The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic you from enjoying the completed segments. Cure event ever since . For the past 5 or 6 years I’ve been in charge of developing and marking all the routes for the Orlando event . Starting in 2013 I formed a rather large Tour de Cure team where I work and have been the Captain of the Lockheed Martin Tour de Cure cycling team ever since . We took the Top Fundraising Team award in 2014 & 2015 by raising over $58,000 in each of those two events and hope to do it again in 2016 . I am also a Certified CyclingSavvy instructor and ride a road bike recreationally 2–4 times a week with friends or with the Florida Freewheelers .
Karen Freeman, owner of Acme Bicycle Shop of Punta Gorda, proudly displays “ACME1” on her Share the Road license plate and backs it up with a League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Business Gold designation for her bicycle shop .
You could be our featured member in the next Messenger! Email your photos and contact information to [email protected] Trout Pond near trailhead (photo by Doug Alderson) Spring 2016 Page 9
The following report comes to us from Friends of the River of Grass Greenway Winter 2016 newsletter What’s Happening on the Trail – US41 west end
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Work on a deceleration On January 21 a Ribbon-Cutting lane along US41 between Ceremony was held at the corner of US41 Port of the Islands and and SR/CR951 in east Naples. The project Everglades City is starting. realigned the intersection to improve a skew that was a safety concern. It added bike lanes, a sidewalk, and a 10-foot shared use pathway on the east side of Collier Boulevard that connects to other FDOT improvements on US41.
Resurfacing on Tamiami Trail Currently FDOT is resurfacing 11 miles of US41 between Port of the Islands and Everglades City (SR/CR29). Cyclists should take note there are lane closures and one-way traffic in this area. Dayna Fendrick (as well as other FROGG members) was instrumental in the decision by FDOT in December to eliminate the raised reflectors along this section of US41during this resurfacing road project. Dayna is Chair of the Pathways Advisory Committee of the Collier County MPO. Following up on her emails, the FDOT replied “Our design of the narrow bridge marking treatments for this project will not have any Raised Pavement Markers (RPM) within the shoulder when you approach the bridges. This has been and will be the theme for most of the projects along this portion of US 41. We elected to use Audible/Vibratory Marking instead of the RPM’s for these narrow bridge treatments. This Audible/Vibratory Marking will not rom our very first steps, walking has been a How do we resolve this epidemic? By staying alert and be within the shoulders, but along the symbol of independence. And for most of us, avoiding distractions while driving. By using lights and white edge line.” As resurfacing continues a bicycle was our very first mode of transportation. wearing reflective clothing when walking or biking along this corridor, FROGG will continue FYet every year there are thousands of crashes involving at night. By increasing everyone’s visibility. And by to campaign for appropriate design to ensure safety along US41. pedestrians and bicyclists in Florida. driving, walking, and biking predictably. Be where other road users expect you to be. In the crosswalk. In your Fakahatchee Strand Big Cypress Bend Even more alarming is that 75% of all fatal pedestrian lane. Riding in the direction of traffic, not against traffic. As you drive along US41 between and bicyclist crashes occur after dark. Port of the Islands and Everglades City, Take the Pledge! Commit to being a safe driver, Motorists often say they never saw them. But why? in addition to the resurfacing project, you pedestrian, and bicyclist. will notice the black silt barrier which is WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THEM TO BE SEEN? in preparation for work by the FDOT on a Let Alert Tonight, Alive Tomorrow serve as a reminder Every crash, every injury, every fatality not only deceleration lane. This is to provide a safe to all Floridians to make sure they are ALWAYS visible turn-off for the boardwalk’s new entrance affects those involved, it also affects their families, on the road, and watching out for each other. and parking area. The new entrance and friends, and community. visitor center will open up a new trail Boardwalk system. There will be a new parking area, a bridge across the canal and Safety Doesn’t Happen by Accident a link to the existing boardwalk. There Funded by the Florida Department of Transportation are no plans to add a bike lane at this time, but cyclists need to be aware of the www.AlertTodayFlorida.com construction taking place in this area. Page 10 Florida Bicycle Association
FBA Positive Spin Flagler County Home and Lifestyle Show with Road Rule Challenge
By: Suzanne Johnston, Flagler County Tax Collector hat a positive experience we question. Discussion followed as to the Whad at the Flagler County Home right answer and reason, etc. Each sponsor and Lifestyle Show with our Road Rule also had a basket that held their prizes and Challenge held January 24-25 at Flagler were listed on our donor board. We also Flagler County staff asked questions and gave prizes to teach bike safety at their Road Rule Challenge. Palm Coast High School. The spinning included bicycle law information in most prize wheel was a really big hit with the of the prize packets. attendees (900-1000 spins). I will try anything to make our roads A: Leave a note with your name, address, Q: Within how many feet of an oncoming Even after putting a flyer in every tag safer in Flagler County. Thank you very tag number. Report crash to proper law vehicle should you dim your bright renewal notice for a full year about the much FBA for donating prizes and enforcement agency. headlights? minimum 3-foot passing law, very few sponsoring a question. Public response: Very high percentage A: 500 feet participants knew the correct answer. I am correct. One man told me that he would Public response: Only answered Take a virtual spin and see how well making plans to feature the inserts again hope there wasn’t a video camera in the correctly three times. Many answers of 50 for a year, in color to be more visible. This you score in the Road Rule Challenge . parking lot. One man said Run! All people feet or 1,000 feet and some said as soon as question was the best “learning experience” Q: When are you allowed to use your four- said to call the police. Only some also said they see the other car. one. We gave our customers a hint by way emergency signals? to leave a note. They said to leave a note holding up the “3 Ft It Is The Law” bumper A: ONLY while your vehicle is legally with the phone number instead of the Q: You must obtain a new license showing sticker which was a real crowd pleaser. stopped or disabled on the highway or address and tag number. Most did not say the new address within how many days Each sponsor had a question on our shoulder. to report the accident. of moving? spinning prize wheel. Florida Bicycle Public response: 80% knew you had A: 10 days Association had the question, “Should to be stopped and they all griped about Q: When a school bus stops on a divided Public response: Very low percent got walkers/runners go in the same direction as people driving with the emergency flashers highway, should vehicles traveling in this correct. Some thought it was 6 months. traffic or against it? How about a bicycle?” on when it was raining. One lady actually the same direction as the bus stop? Most thought they had 30 days even when 80% of the public knew the correct answered “when it is raining real hard.” A: Yes we said Florida to Florida. answer, but the other 20% thought that Public response: Almost 100% correct. walkers and bicyclists were supposed to Q: If you fail to answer a traffic summons, Q: What are the penalties for littering? go in the same direction, even both facing would you be able to renew your Q: What is the minimum age to obtain a A: $500 fine or jail 60 days the traffic. This worked about to be a fun, license? Florida Learner License? Public response: Everyone knew there effective learning experience. A: No. A: age 15 was a fine or jail, just didn’t know how The reflective vests and mini tags Public response: 100% correct. Public response: Very high percentage much. Some did not know about jail. were a very big hit as a prize. When the correct, even by little kids. Others thought wheel stopped, staff would announce who Q: If you hit a parked car and cannot find it was age 16. sponsored the question, then read the the owner, you should? (continued on next page)
intrigued me. Extended range, sweat-free Electric Bikes travel, the perfect urban commuter and the gee-whiz techno gadgetry! Maybe, just By: Chris LeDew maybe, this was my entry into the ranks of the urban commuter cyclist! hose of you that know me, know As a traffic engineer, I have been asked Tthat I have a soft spot in my heart for to accommodate a wide range of exotic commuter cyclists. Anyone who chooses vehicles on our public roadways. Gone are not to drive in the comfort of a Volvo the days that engineers thought only about station wagon and instead rides our busy cars and trucks. Now we have to stretch our urban streets in the height of rush hour; mental capacity and design for bicycles and anyone who, behind a make-shift cubicle pedestrians…uh, excuse me: “people that divider, takes a full body baby-wipes bath; ride bikes” and “people that walk.” anyone who then soldiers on through an Rapidly, new vehicles are filling the eight-hour work day in wrinkled clothes spaces in between: mopeds, golf-carts, and messed-up hair has earned my respect. neighborhood electric vehicles, scooters, Commuter cyclists are displacing “one Segways, hover boards, gas-powered more car” from our roads, they are lowering bicycles, electric skateboards and self- our collective blood pressure and saving balancing unicycles are all on the market. penguin habitat. Building exercise into my Each mode of transportation has its own daily routine makes a lot of sense…but not unique acceleration, deceleration and enough to actually make me do it. handling characteristics. Each mode has its When I heard that FBA was interested in own legal definition and place on the road Electric Bikes as a policy question, I jumped (some only on private roads). at the chance to be part of the committee. About eight years ago, I researched The thought of riding a powered bike electric bikes online and found mostly (continued on page 13) Spring 2016 Page 11
Questions about the laws related to bicycling? As part of the Bicycle Law Enforcement Program, FBA maintains FLBikeLaw.org to provide a place to ask questions about the laws. Questions come direct to FBA via the “Contact FBA” form from floridabicycle.org as well as other sources. Herein is a Ask Geo @ FlBikeLaw.org* very limited sample of questions and answers found on the site. Go online for more.
by George Martin s. 316.003 – Definitions and the duty of all persons to use due care. a lamp and reflector on the rear each exhib- (42) Roadway – That portion of a high- Riding against traffic, even on a paved iting a red light visible from a distance of 600 way improved, designed, or ordinarily used shoulder, is not recommended since it is feet to the rear. A bicycle or its rider may be Motorized Bike Driver’s License? for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or nearly impossible to do so lawfully for any equipped with lights or reflectors in addition Jeffery asked: I do not have a driver’s shoulder. distance. Remaining on a paved shoulder to those required by this section. Qlicense and I wanted to buy a motor- Almost all of the statutes that direct at an intersection or driveway exposes the Note that additional lights or reflec- ized bicycle and ride it to and from work. these actions by drivers refer to those in the rider to many hazards, including turning tors are allowed but are not described or Can I do this legally? roadway. This is the only exception that I motorists that do not expect to see a vehicle defined. can find. approaching from the right. You correctly state that red lights may If it is a bicycle with an electric assist s. 316.082 – Passing Vehicles Proceeding Flashing Lights not show ahead. My guess is that the phrase motor, it may be legal. If it has a gas in Opposite Directions “any lamp or device thereon” applies to the A Doc asked: I use a white light on the assist motor, it would not be legal. (1) Drivers of vehicles proceeding in op- person as well as the vehicle. For example, front of my bicycle, and a red reflec- s. s. 316.003 – Definitions posite directions shall pass each other to the Q imagine a person inside a car shining a red tor and red lights on the back of my bicycle (2) Bicycle –Every vehicle propelled solely right. flashlight forward. when riding between dusk and dawn. My by human power, and every motorized bi- The paved shoulder is not clearly de- s. 316.2397 – Certain Lights Prohibited; front white lights have a strobe function cycle propelled by a combination of human fined nor accounted for in the statutes. It Exceptions which I use during the day. Can I have it on power and an electric helper motor capable is not the roadway, nor is it the sidewalk. (1) No person shall drive or move or flash at night as well or does the front light of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not Although bicyclists may use a paved shoul- cause to be moved any vehicle or equipment need to be steady? Also, I wear a reflective more than 20 miles per hour on level ground der, they are never required to do so unless upon any highway within this state with any safety vest most days and night, but I also upon which any person may ride, having it is marked as a bike lane. In some circum- lamp or device thereon showing or display- have a safety vest with flashing red LED’s two tandem wheels, and including any de- stances, bicyclists must use a bike lane. ing a red or blue light visible from directly in on the front and back. I know that a bicycle vice generally recognized as a bicycle though On most paved shoulders, there is not front thereof except for certain vehicles here- cannot be equipped with red lights visible equipped with two front or two rear wheels. room for two bicyclists to safely pass when inafter provided. from the front, but is it legal for me to wear The term does not include such a vehicle proceeding in opposite directions at speed. (2) It is expressly prohibited for any ve- a vest with red lights visible from the front? with a seat height of no more than 25 inches Either the bicyclist traveling with other hicle or equipment, except police vehicles, to from the ground when the seat is adjusted traffic must leave the pavement or the other show or display blue lights... This is the statute that requires certain to its highest position or a scooter or similar cyclist must unlawfully enter the roadway. With regard to whether your forward lights and permits others on a bicycle device. No person under the age of 16 may There is no statute that specifically says A white light may flash at night, the FBA pro- at night. operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle. which is required except that it would not posed this change to the laws in 2012 to be lawful to do the latter. s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations clarify the use of “blinkies” on the rear of Right of Way on Paved Shoulder In any event, both cyclists have the duty (7) Every bicycle in use between sunset a bicycle and flashing white lights forward, Nathan asked: If two cyclists are on to exercise due care and slow or stop as and sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp on which previously were technically barred Qthe shoulder, one with (motorized) necessary to avoid a collision. the front exhibiting a white light visible from except as additional lights. Now all lights traffic and the other against traffic, who has s. 316.185 – Special Hazards a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and may flash. right of way? ...when special hazards exist or may exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic... *DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this column is to inform about bicycling laws. The material provided here and through That is an excellent question, but I’m and speed shall be decreased as may be nec- other means is for general informational purposes only and shall in no way constitute or be construed as legal advice by the officers, directors, agents or employees of the Florida Bicycle Association. If your experience in a court of afraid I can’t give you a good answer. A essary to avoid colliding with any person, ve- law or on the streets differs from that presented, we want to know about it, but George Martin and FBA are not You are correctly implying that the paved hicle, or other conveyance on or entering the accountable for a ruling contrary to our interpretation of Florida Law or other consequences of cycling. You should shoulder is not part of the roadway. street in compliance with legal requirements seek legal advice on a particular situation.
POSITIVE SPIN – Road Rule Challenge (continued) to go in the same direction as bicycles. Public response: Most people did not Others thought that bicyclists should go know the correct answer and we had a lot Q: If a police car or emergency vehicle is on A: 3-4 seconds the in the opposite direction of traffic. of negative remarks about bicycles being on the side of the road, you must do what? Public response: Very few had the the road. A: Slow down to 20 miles per hour less correct answer in seconds. We learned by Q: How many days after becoming a Florida than posted speed. If speed limit is 20 car lengths and the public answered one car resident, must you change your license Q: If you see red reflectors facing you on mph or less, slow down to 5 mph. On length for every 10 mph, which is exactly to a Florida License? the lane lines or on the edge of the road, an interstate, move into other lane or if what I learned. A: 30 days what does this mean? cannot, slow to a speed of 20 mph less Public response: Most thought 6 months A: You are on the wrong side of the road. than posted speed. Q: When driving in the rain, fog, or smoke with less than 50% with correct answer. Public response: Wrong answer given Public response: Almost 100% correct, in the daytime, what lights should you more than 50% of the time. One lady even little kids. use? Q: Both your judgment and vision are thought it meant that a cop was nearby and A: Lights on low beam. affected after drinking alcohol - which to slow down. Q: When a school bus stops on a two-lane Public response: About 95% correct. is affected first? road, should vehicles traveling in the A: Judgment Q: What is the maximum speed limit in a opposite direction as the bus stop? Q: Should walkers/runners go in the same Public response: High percent correct. residential area if there is no speed limit A: Yes direction as traffic or against it? How sign? Public response: Almost 100% correct. about a bicycle? Q: Are motorists required to stop or yield A: 30 mph A: Walk facing traffic. Bicyclists on to a pedestrian crossing the street or Public response: Most people said 20- Q: What is the Florida DOT toll free number public roads have same rights and driveway? 25 mph and others thought 35 or 40 mph. for up-to-date traffic information? responsibilities as drivers of motorized A: Yes Even one police officer gave the wrong A: 511 vehicles. Riding against the flow of Public response: 100% correct answers. answer. Most gave the wrong answer. Public response: Only one person knew. traffic in the adjacent traffic lane on a Is cycling helping your community? sidewalk is not illegal. Q: How far away are you required to drive Q: What is the recommended safe follow- Public response: 80% correct. Those your car from a bicycle? Tell us at floridabicycle.org, ing distance? wrong, thought that walkers were supposed A: Minimum of 3 feet click Positive Spin logo Page 12 Florida Bicycle Association
SPINNING UP IS A GOOD only sell them in a complete cassette. Gears 102: Getting Maximum THING They went on to say that if people used their gears properly, kept their chains clean Have you ever been at a point where and lubricated and replaced them when Performance from Your Legs and your cadence is just a bit slower than you worn out, there is no reason that a cassette like and you just know that if you had the shouldn’t last through several chains. reserve to get your cadence back up, you Gears and Save $$’s You can check your chain for wear with could sustain that higher speed? One way a simple tool that costs as little as $10 as By Jeff Hohlstein, CyclingSavvy Instructor (CSI) to do it is to “Spin up.” Downshift once and shown in Figure 2 or you can go to any bike immediately spin up your cadence to 10-15 shop and have it checked. Believe them if CADENCE IS THE FLYWHEEL OF YOUR POWERTRAIN rpm more than your normal cadence, then they tell you it needs to be replaced, even if use that flywheel effect to upshift and drop you have seen no signs of trouble. hen I was first riding, I found that I four. For instance, a 90 cadence is 22.5 and to your desired cadence. It’s like using the Personally, I’m on my third chain with got to the highest gear combination an 80 cadence is 20. It might be difficult to passing gear in your car. W the same cassette and the cassette is doing by 15 mph. I went into the bike shop and get to 90 initially but keep working at it and LAST BUT BEST, SAVE MONEY fine. I don’t expect to replace the cassette said, “I need a bigger crank ring because your legs will adapt. A worn out (stretched) chain rapidly with my fourth chain and if true, I will I’m running out of gears.” The shop CROSS-CHAINING IS HARD ON destroys the cassette and crank ring(s) have spent about $340 for four chains, tax representative looked at my bike and said, before giving the rider significant and labor. Had I treated my equipment the “I’ll sell you a bigger crank ring if you wish, YOU AND YOUR BIKE warning of what’s going on. The links way many cyclists do I would have spent but your problem is you’re not pedaling fast Cross-chaining at its worst is where don’t actually stretch, but through wear the about $765 for four chains and cassettes, a enough. You need to pick up your cadence.” the chain goes from the large (outside) rivet holes become elongated and the chain difference of $425. If I have to replace the Cadence is the number of pedal strokes chain ring to the large (inside) #1 cog, or no longer fits the cogs. When this happens cassette, I will still have saved about $320. of one leg that the rider completes in one vice versa, as shown in Figure 1 (below). the chain begins to rapidly eat away at the Usually when someone destroys a couple minute. Human pedalers are not like electric Either way, it puts tremendous side force gears. Once these gears are damaged, a new of cassettes they also destroy a front chain motors, which can develop a great amount of on the chain. The following link clearly chain will not work properly on them. ring. I haven’t priced this out but you can torque (power) at low rpm. Human pedalers, illustrates the problem. www.youtube.com/ Several bike shop owners have told me add the $$. are more like automobile engines, which watch?v=24vfX2PtSMM collectively, “When I replace a chain on a Now that you know how to ride easier need high centrifugal torque to generate If you are fully cross-chained when you road bike I usually also have to change the and smarter, go have fun. And remember, power, hence the gears. The League of start, you are putting maximum force on the cassette. And usually, only a couple of the you may sign up for CyclingSavvy at www. American Bicyclists recommends a cadence drive train as you accelerate, increasing the cogs are worn out. The rest of the cassette cyclingsavvy.com. rate of 75-95 rpm, regardless of one’s bicycle wear on both your equipment and your legs. is fine.” The equipment manufacturers So now that your power-train is your speed. A cadence below 75 makes the knees Conversely, the cyclist who fails to shift have figured this out. Where they used to friend, use it all, take care of it, and go out use more brute muscle power and is more the crank up to the large ring for high speed sell individual replacement cogs, they now and have fun! fatiguing on long rides. Over time a slow will cross-chain in the opposite direction. Extended riding in this configuration is cadence can be damaging to the knees. As Fig 2. This Park the rider increases cadence, more blood is less efficient because of chain drag and CC-3.2 gauge tells pumped to the legs, improving endurance. accelerates wear on both the chain and gears. me that my chain 90 rpm is ideal through both acceleration Like a car, regardless of your cruising still has lots of and cruise. speed, it’s best to down shift as you come miles in it before I once coached a woman who thought to a stop so that you start again on the mid needing replace- she had hit the wall at 39 miles into making crank ring and cassette gear #1 or #2. ment. This is the it to the 43-mile end point. I did it by coaxing one time that you SO WHAT IS THE IDEAL SPEED don’t want the her up from her habitual 45-rpm cadence to TO SHIFT FROM THE MID TO tool to fit because about 70, coaching her down through the THE LARGE FRONT RING if it does, you need necessary gears to get there. to replace the The ideal point depends on your chain. Rule #1 for performance: Shift gearing and cadence. On the middle front up or down, however necessary crank ring, I run out of rear gears, fully to maintain your cadence. cross-chained at 21 mph. By shifting to the large ring, I could pedal to above 30 mph if Rule #2; refer to rule #1 How Do You Ride? I were strong enough. The Center for Urban Transportation research (CUTR) at the University of South If you don’t have a cadence meter on When you shift to the large ring, you Florida (USF) was recently awarded an innovative research project from the Florida your bike, you can get your cadence by typically have to downshift the cassette Department of Transportation (FDOT) to conduct a naturalistic bicycling behavior counting the number of cycles one leg 2-3 gears to maintain the same speed and completes in 15 seconds and multiplying by cadence. pilot study . The major objectives of the research project are to better understand On the middle bicycling behaviors via comprehensive analyses of naturalistic bicycling data ring I start mild collected from the project, and develop effective countermeasures to improve cross-chaining bicycle safety in Florida . at about 17 mph. The study aims to collect data on the riding experience of commuter bicyclists So if I’m going to of all experience levels while riding their own bicycles . This kind of study is dash up to 20 for a called “naturalistic” since data is collected in the “natural” environment of short burst I won’t bother shifting to the participants, therefore more realistic than simulator or other kinds of data the big front crank. collection . Naturalistic studies have become in the last few years more popular, If I intend to dash and are made possible because of the lower cost, portability and compact factor of above 20 or cruise the equipment for data collection . at or above 17, I Many factors influence how and where bicyclists ride their bicycles, including shift to the big ring. roadway facilities, environmental conditions, and interactions with other road Once you start even users . FDOT is committed to be proactive to find effective solutions through mild cross-chaining full understanding of bicycling behaviors on roads and the interactions among at cruise speed, if you’re alert to it, you bicyclists, other road users, traffic control devices, and environmental conditions . Fig 1. The bike on the left is cross-chained large front ring to #1 rear gear. The bike on the right is cross-chained medium front ring to #10 rear gear. can feel the drag. (continued on page 15) Spring 2016 Page 13
ELECTRIC BIKES (continued from page 10) do-it-yourself-kits and clunky-looking half of all new bikes sold in America will be apologizes for the Florida weather and I justify this to my wife?” bikes with motors and battery packs electric bikes. suggests we ride inside a nearby parking The next day, after the euphoria wore hanging off of them with what appeared After hours of internet searches, I had garage. “At least you get to experience a off, I thought more about the pedelec, who to be duct-tape and baling wire. I found successfully stoked the fires of electric bike hill.” He sets the bike on “Eco mode,” the would use it in ‘Merica? What problems Youtube videos of brave souls that piloted lust in my consumerist soul. I had to ride lowest setting, so it doesn’t get away from might they create operating on public their converted Huffy to speeds exceeding one of these things! Googling “Electric Bike me. About ten revolutions in and I am roads? I see them as capable commuter 45mph. Hmmm, I thought, wasn’t this last Shops Florida” I found the only exclusive resetting to the highest “turbo mode.” Ten vehicles for anyone within 20-30 miles year’s Darwin award winner? Electric Bike Shop in Florida, and luckily it more revs and I am feeling like superman of work or a bus stop. Many people with Anyway, fast forward to the present, was located on the way to the Quarterly FBA riding the garage ramps up to the third physical limitations use pedelecs for access and the electric bike offerings are sleek, Board of Directors meeting in Fort Myers. level! This was great! to recreation trails and for the sheer joy of well-designed, futuristic, high-tech After a few clicks of the mouse, I had Soon, the sun broke through the clouds riding a bike. marvels. Power-assisted “smart” motors scheduled my first test ride with “Pedelec and Phil suggested I ride a couple of miles to The FBA Electric Bike Committee is provide power only when the rider pedals. SQB” in Punta Gorda, Florida (www. the Fishing Village. I used my CyclingSavvy just beginning to examine the pros and This new class of transportation is known pedelec-sqb.com). SQB stands for “Swiss training to take the lane, ride in traffic cons of electric bikes in Florida. There are as “Pedelec,” that rhymes with “Cadillac” Quality Bound.” A few days and a five-hour and confidently make my way through a many questions that need to be answered: (Yes, Bruce Springsteen, I’m talking to drive later, I was standing in the shop of crowded Punta Gorda Friday afternoon. What safety concerns are associated with a you!). Pedelecs are capable of traveling Phil Pfäffli in downtown Punta Gorda. Phil At one point, on a flat straightaway, I bike that is silent and travels 20mph faster up to 20mph and are legally classified as explained in great detail the features of the pedaled at my most leisurely pace, doing than one may expect? Why did China a regular human-powered bicycle. An “S pedelecs: the power-assist smart motors, what felt like 10-12mph. I looked down at outlaw electric bikes from bike lanes? Was Pedelec” is a souped-up version that will the extended rage lithium ion batteries, the the speedometer and I was going 24mph. it because of speed or sheer numbers? do 30mph and is the legal equivalent of a heavy-duty brake and shifting components, Wow! I was hooked! I want one! What problems will surface when we mix Moped. The difference is, you can actually blah, blah, blah. Sorry Phil, but the look The pedelec was not what I was high-speed pedelecs with lower-speed pedal a Pedelec! and feel of the Stromer was drowning out expecting. I thought it would be like riding bikes and pedestrians? How can Florida’s Electric Worldwide Bike Reports your sales pitch. This machine has design a gas scooter or a small motorcycle, where rules be consistent when state and local estimates that in 2010, 30 million electric and style, attention to detail, and—dare I you twist the throttle and go. Where you can governments and recreation departments bikes were sold in the world. Eighty say it?—sex appeal. This bike is the Porsche be as lazy as you want. But this was different. are all setting laws and rules independently? thousand were sold in the USA, one 911 of electric bicycles. I’m sure Phil has You have the feel and responsiveness of a Will “serious” cyclists shun those that ride million were sold in the European Union seen it before, the electric bike lust, the bicycle. It’s your own power, only more. electric bikes? What emotional trauma will and 27 million were sold in China. We all stammering, the drooling. He knew it was The exhilaration that a smart motor brings that cause? have known that China is taking over…but time for a ride. is, well, fun! The emotional part of my Please let us know your thoughts and I didn’t know it would be from the back of On a windy, drizzly January day we set brain began to take over: instead of asking experiences with electric bikes! Get ready! an electric bike! By 2025, it is projected that out onto the Punta Gorda sidewalk. Phil “Why do I need this?” I’m asking “How can They are coming…fast!!!
Representing individuals injured in bicycle accidents, auto accidents and falls
As a cyclist, I understand the challenges you encounter when riding on Southwest Florida’s roads. Enjoy the ride, and if “you are injured while riding through the fault of another individual, please give me a call.”
2205 McGregor Boulevard ~ Fort Myers ~ Florida 33901 239.337.4800 HartofJustice.com Page 14 Florida Bicycle Association Upcoming Bicycle Touring Events in Florida This printed version is ABRIDGED from promotional material provided by tour organizers. We’re not responsible for accuracy of information or quality of these rides. Use the contact information for more details about each ride. Data are gleaned and summarized from an online calendar database maintained by Roger Pierce and published on the FBA web site. To add an event to his (and our) calendar, e-mail to [email protected] or go online to post your own entry. See complete calendar, including many out-of-state rides we don’t have room to print here, at www.floridabicycle.org/touring. MARCH miles. Starts & ends at YMCA complex in 10, 20, 35, 62, 100 miles. 8131 Lakewood lunch, mechanical support, motorcycle Celebrate Florida Bike Month! Central Citrus Co. Any distance up to 124 Main Street, Lakewood Ranch. Fee: $15. escorts, roving SAGs and traffic control miles. Benefit Citrus Co. YMCA. T-shirts, Fundraising Min: $200. Event manager, provided. http://nfbc.us March 11-13 Chiefland FL breakfast, lunch, family events at Y. Reg. Melissa Parsons: [email protected], Chiefland Bicycle Ride 7-9am, no mass start. Eric at 863-670-0734. 813.885.5007. Mail checks to: American April 24 (Sun) Gainesville FL Three fun-filled days riding on Florida’s rotarybikeridefory.com Diabetes Association ATTN: Tour de Cure Gainesville Running and Cycling Event Gulf Coast Trails, starting in Chiefland. 1511 N. Westshore Blvd. Ste. 980 Tampa, Half Marathon, 10k, and Cycling tour Several destinations: Trenton, Cross City, April 2 (Sat) The Villages FL FL 33607. www.diabetes.org/swfloridatour at Boulware City park that connects to Cedar Key and Horse Shoe Beach. 727- We Bike For Kids Hawthorne Trail. USATF certified course, 457-6994. www.chieflandbicyclefest.com. 3 routes10-64 miles. Stocked rests, marked April 16 (Sat) Amelia Island FL rest stops every 2 miles, breakfast, awards routes, SAG mech. & first aid. Breakfast, 12th Annual Katie Ride for overall male and female and age groups, March 13 (Sun) Everglades City FL lunch, goody bag, DJ, free raffle ticket. Benefits Katie Caples Foundation’s organ post-race food. Benefits UF Health Cancer 2016 Annual Everglades Bike Ride T-shirt for first 300. Wildwood Community donor education & awareness raising pro- Center & Alachua County Humane society. 62, 16 mile on road; 27-mile off-road Center, 6500 County Rd. 139. Benefits grams. 18 to 103 mile courses, off-road http://itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=6668 thru Janes Scenic Dr. Fakahatchee Strand Boys and Girls Club of Lake and Sumter options, walk and fun run, marathon spin Preserve. Reg. 7:30am McLeod Park, Counties, and Sumter Co. Youth Center, class! Majestic state parks, ecological pre- April 28 - May 1 White Springs FL Everglades City. Marked route, SAG, break- helping children in tri-county area. $45 serves, 40 miles of stunning coastal views. SBA Spring Pedal ‘n’ Paddle Festival with fast, snacks, lunch, visit to Smallwood Store pre-reg, $50. on-site. Tim Simpson, www. Special lodging rates offered. Reg. includes: Century & Museum. 239-695-2397 or visitcaamev- [email protected]. webikeforkids.com breakfast, lunch, t-shirt, massage, medal Ride roads, trails, walk Florida trail or ents.com/event/everglades-ride/ upon completion, gear discounts, fully sup- paddle down the Suwannee River. 4/28- April 9-15 Arcadia FL ported cycling, walk and run routes. Min. 5/1/16. Beautiful back roads around White March 13 (Sun) Fort Myers FL Bike Florida Annual Spring Tour: fundraising & reg. fees. katieride.org Springs or the 50+ miles of off road trails. 18th Annual Royal Palm Classic Surf-N-Turf Reg. open at 8am Fri. & Sun., 7am Sat. 3 separate rides offered under 65 miles. Bike Florida’s first tour of Gulf Coast April 16-17 Miami FL Continental breakfast each morning. Make Starts at Ft. Myers Brewing Company. region including Arcadia, Sarasota, and Dirt Devils Mountain Bike Festival Camp Site Reservations at Stephen Foster Lunch and a beer glass with full reg. Englewood. 7, 5, 2 and 1-day ride options. Hosted by Velosport Events. Sat. free demo, State Park. Visit suwanneebike.org or go (glass for first 300) Children under 2 nights in each location with only 3 move Sun. race, located in Virginia Key with 5 to Active.com and register. Dale Nanny at 15 years accompanied by an adult days. Tent and gear transportation, indoor mile loop for Expert & Sport’s, 4 mile loop [email protected] receive lunch and ride FREE (no glass.) and outdoor camping options, on-site for all other categories. Spectator friendly. http://royalpalmclassic.org/ shower truck service. Bike rentals, luggage Includes: Entry to race on Sun, 1 free meal, April 30 (Sat) Ocala FL delivery and tent service available. Full SAG 2 beeror soft drink tickets, t-shirt, raffle Ride for the Arts March 13 (Sun) West Palm Beach FL support and well-stocked rest stops every ticket. No processing fees. Kids 13 or under Take an idyllic trip on the second annual 8th Annual Pedal for PAL Bike Tour 15 miles. Joy 352-224-8601, bikeflorida.org. free (medals for all kids). CASH prizes for bicycle Ride for the Arts. From Ocala’s Benefit Police Athletic League of Palm top 3 finishers in EXPERT category. www. historic downtown through the scenic Beach Co. 31/62/100 miles. Reg. opens April 9 (Sat) Vero Beach FL eventbrite.com/e/dirt-devils-mountain- country of Marion County. The ride covers 6am at Dreyfoos School of the Arts, 501 Hibiscus Ride bike-festival-tickets-20864830269 62 miles (metric century) of challenging S. Sapodilla Ave., structured start 7:30am. Multiple routes designed to highlight the and beautiful rolling hills filled with Flagler Dr., A1A, and ocean 31/62/100 beautiful scenery of Indian River Co., April 16-21 Live Oak FL majestic horse farms adorned with huge miles. Police escort, rest stops, marked including shore-line and lagoon views. 36th Florida Bicycle Safari Live Oak trees covered with Spanish moss. route, SAG service, towels, and tasty lunch. English Century 100 mile, Metric Century+ Ride through beautiful North Florida. Full A 37 mile route is also available. 23 SW On-line Reg. at Active.com. Call Kevin at 68 miles, 31 and 10 mile routes. Numerous 6 days (limited to 250 riders) or just the first Broadway, Ocala, Fl 34471. https://www. 561-644-9278 or http://www.pbso.org/pal designated rest stops.https://raceroster. 3 days, 35 to 100 miles. Camp site, breakfast facebook.com/events/845085668847445/ com/events/2016/6496/the-hibiscus-ride & dinner catered by Dixie Grill each day March 14-18 Cross City FL included. Sag stops, vehicles, mechanic MAY April 9-10 Palatka FL on site each day. Fun activities after rides- gulfcoasteventstours.com May 7 (Sat) St. Augustine FL 4th Annual Palatka Bicycle Festival games, music, dancing, etc. Sponsored by Tour package consists of 5 days/4 nights; American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Several distances, longest on Sat. 70 miles, the Florida Freewheelers. 352-978-4428 or cycling on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast, Cure 2016 other attractions include a visit to Historic Sun. Full Century. Free children’s ride on www.floridabicyclesafari.com Held in 44 states to benefit American Yulee Sugar Mill, see the Mermaids new trail Sat. Activities for non-cyclists in- Diabetes Association. Ride, not a race, with perform at Weeki Watchee Springs, and cluding guided tours, Ravine Gardens State April 23 (Sat) Gainesville FL routes designed for everyone, in 5, 35, 62 or see the Manatees at Crystal River. www. Park, pontoon boat ride on St. Johns River Ride To Remember 10 100 mile routes. Starts at World Golf Village, gulfcoasteventstours.com/ and crafts. http://putnambluewaysandtrails. Ride length of your choice on Gainesville- 1 World Golf Place. Opening ceremony and org/2016-Palatka-Bicycle-Festival Hawthorne Trail, or road ride into Ocala scenic, fully supported routes. Food and horse farm territory 50, 75 or 100 miles. APRIL music at finish line celebration. Mandy April 9 (Sat) Ocala FL 50 and 25 mile rides from Flemington, FL. Intravaia, Market Director 904.730.7200 April 1-2 Punta Gorda FL 9th Annual Frank Polack Memorial Ride Benefit for ElderCare of Alachua County x3103 [email protected]. Pedal and Play in Paradise 80, 65, 30 miles. Over 320 last year to remem- and Al’z Place, providing Alzheimer’s Day FRI: pre-check-in noon-4pm Laishley Park, ber loved ones. Post-ride feast by Hospice Care. http://gccfla.org/rtr May 14 (Sat) Seffner FL City Manager’s “Here and There” Ride, slow Chefs. Reg. by 4/1 for T-shirt. 8am mass Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Fallen sunset roll to Ponce Park, yoga. SAT:10-Mile start at Hospice of Marion County Center, April 24 (Sun) St. Augustine FL Heroes Memorial Ride “Mystery Ride”, 15, 30 and 60 mile rides. 3231 SW 34th Ave., Ocala. Proceeds from 25th Annual Tour de Forts Classic 25 or 50 mile (rider choice) charity bike Check-in 7am, breakfast, lunch, t-shirt. $45 ($50 after 4/2) fees support patient pro- N. FL Bicycle Club. 26/38/56/70/100 miles. ride for HCSO Charities, Inc. and HCSO Kids Zone with bike rodeo and lots of extras. grams. hospiceofmarion.com, khaven@hos- On-line reg. with free t-shirt. Cycle through History Center. Begins at McDonald www.pedalandplayinparadise.com/ piceofmarion.com or Karen 352-854-5218. St. Augustine along the Atlantic coast Elementary School at 7am, through rural past the Castillo de San Marcos to Fort areas of Hillsborough Co. Fully marked April 2 (Sat) Hernando (Inverness) FL April 10 (Sun) Lakewood Ranch FL Matanzas. Longer routes head west along route, SAG support and rest stop. T-shirt Ride for the “Y” Southwest Florida Tour de Cure 2016 country roads with the 70 and 100 mile & goodie bag. Register before 03/22 for Fully supported on Withlacoochee State 25th Anniversary! Ride, not a race to raise routes coursing along the St. Johns River. $99 Reg. and custom jersey deal! www. Trail 46 miles & Citrus Co. Trail 11 critical funds for American Diabetes Assoc. Pre-ride snacks, rest stops, a post-ride marketplace.hcsocharities.com. Spring 2016 Page 15
Visit our website, floridabicycle.org, for additional FDOT Districts FBA Member club and shop information. District 1 Bike Route (Naples), Billy’s Bike Shop, Fort locations), Lake Shore Cities: Bradenton, Fort Myers, Naples, Myers Schwinn Cyclery, Ringling Bicycles, Bicycles & Fitness, Bike Works Bike Shop of Winter Haven Sarasota District 3 Counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, District 2 Cities: Destin, Panama City, Pensacola, FBA Member Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Cities: Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lake City, Tallahassee Bicycle Shops: Manatee, Okeechobee, Polk, Sarasota St. Augustine Counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Infinity Bike FDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator: Providance Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Shop (2 Nagy, 239-225-1983 Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa locations), The FBA Member Bicycle Clubs: Bonita Bay Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, Washington Cycling Hub, Village Cycles (2 Bicycle Club, Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, FDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator: Olen Pettis, locations), Greenway Coastal Cruisers Bicycle Club, Highlands Taylor, Union 850-330-1543 Pedalers Bicycle Club, Peace River Bicycles, Orange FDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator: Derek FBA Member Bicycle Clubs: Capital City Riders Bicycle Club, Polk Area Bicycling Cycle, Full Circle Cycle, Dixon, 904-360-5653 Cyclists, Emerald Coast Cyclists Association, Sanibel Bicycle Club, Sarasota- Retro City Cycles, West FBA Member Bicycle Clubs: Gainesville Manatee Bicycle Club FBA Member Bicycle Shops: St. Joe Velo, Orange Trail Bikes & Cycling Club, North Florida Bicycle Club, The Great Bicycle Shop (2 locations), Blades, Daytona Bicycle Center, FBA Member Bicycle Shops: Acme Bicycle Suwannee Bicycle Association Dragon Sports Brick City Bicycles Shop, Bicycle Center of Port Charlotte, Bike FBA Member Bicycle Shops: Gator Route (Fort Myers), Naples Cyclery, The District 4 District 6 Cycle, Champion Cycling & Fitness (3 Cities: Key West, Miami Cities: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach, Stuart Counties: Miami-Dade, Monroe Counties: Broward, Indian River, Martin, FDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator: Zakary Lata, Palm Beach, St. Lucie 305-470-5308 FDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator: VACANT FBA Member Bicycle Club: Everglades Bicycle Club, South Florida Triathletes FBA Member Bicycle Clubs: Boca Raton Bicycle Club, Vero Cycling Club FBA Member Bicycle Shop: Mack Cycle & Fitness, Elite Cycling & Fitness FBA Member Bicycle Shops: Bike America (6 locations), District 7 Lauderdale Cyclery, Tri Bike Run, Wheels Cities: Brooksville, Clearwater, Port Richey, of Wellington, Bicycle Generation, Orchid St. Petersburg, Tampa Island Bikes and Kayaks Counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, District 5 Pasco, Pinellas Cities: Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, FDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator: Christopher Kissimmee, Melbourne, Ocala, Orlando Speese, 813-975-6405 Counties: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, FBA Member Bicycle Clubs: Central Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, Florida Randonneurs, Florida Panthers Volusia Tandem Club, St. Petersburg Bicycle Club FDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator: Deborah FBA Member Bicycle Shops: City Bike Tyrone, 407-482-7897 Tampa, Bike Sport, Chainwheel Drive (2 FBA Member Bicycle Clubs: Florida locations), Jim’s Bicycle Shop, Hampton’s Freewheelers, Sumter Landing Bicycle Edge Trailside Bicycles, University Bicycle Club, Orlando Runners & Riders Center
How Do You Ride? (continued from page 12) Several kinds of data will be collected to create a database for analysis by CUTR researchers . The Bicycle Data Acquisition System (BDAS) collects the following information: • Front and rear video, up to 15 ft . in all 4 directions • 3 axis acceleration • Roll, pitch, yaw angles • GPS coordinates and route • Ambient audio • Temperature • Light level • Riding information The study aims to collect data from 100 participants in the about close calls or Tampa Bay area to collect a minimum of 3,000 riding hours . other problems via Recruiting of participants is underway . For more information smartphone app . and to sign up please visit www .bicyclestudy org. Page 16 Florida Bicycle Association
Scearce, Satcher & Jung, P.A. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Applauds the Florida Bicycle Association for its efforts in making our community a healthier one by providing education and inspiration of cycling.
See you on the road!
Kenneth L. Scearce, CPA David A. Satcher, CPA Carla M. Hansen, CPA
(407) 647-6441 Office (407) 645-0099 Fax 1030 W. Canton Avenue, Suite 210, Winter Park, FL 32789
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