S prin g Is F s ev Messenger ue er

www.floridabicycle.org P.O. Box 718, Waldo, FL 32694 Vol. 11, No. 2 Spring 2008 Advocating a bicycle-friendly Florida OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA BICYCLE ASSOCIATION, INC. Wilson hands over FBA board Appeals court issues opinion presidency to David Henderson on A1A bike lane issue

At its January board He is a member of the Everglades Bike The continuing saga of the A1A issue in Bruce Rosenzweig, the Boca Raton meeting FBA direc- Club and Adventure Cycling. He hopes to Palm Beach County hit a high note recently Bicycle Club and others took up the cause tors gave a hearty see the FBA become a leader in public poli- in Tallahassee when attorney advocates had with legal assistance from local cycling “Thank you!” to out- cy and in service to bicyclists. their day in court. attorney Jeffrey Lynne, of Akerman going FBA president Board member For you who came in late: Senterfitt, and support from the League of Mighk Wilson for Raphael Clemente Since 2004 controversy has pitted cyclists American Bicyclists. tireless service to the moved up to vice presi- against Palm Beach County homeowners The matter came to an informal hearing association since dent, replacing long- along a stretch of the highway slated for on December 11, 2006. October 2003 as pres- time board member improvement by FDOT. On February 26, 2007, the hearing officer ident and as a board Dan Moser, of Fort According to bike lane advocates, FDOT, filed an order concluding that bike lane Mighk Wilson member since FBA’s Myers. contrary to statutes and its own standards, advocated did not have proper standing to rebirth in 1998. Dan also will remain bowed to well-financed pressure not to challenge FDOT’s decision not to require Mighk will continue to serve FBA as a on the board. widen stretches of A1A through some areas bicycle lanes. member of the board. Raphael Clemente An avid utilitarian where adjacent homeowners had landscaped Advocates challenged the FDOT final A native of Coral and recreational cyclist, property encroaching the right-of-way. order in the First District Court of Appeal. Gables, new president Raphael Clemente has been in love with As reported in our Summer 2005 The Court filed its opinion March 25, 2008, David Henderson cycling since the first ride. Messenger (Vol. 8, No. 3) FBA studied the concluding that cyclists did have standing to works as the After getting lost in car culture for a little issue, talked with Palm Beach county resi- challenge FDOT’s interpretation of its statu- Bicycle/Pedestrian while as a teenager, he found his way back dents and representatives, consulted with tory discretion. Coordinator for the to bicycling after a girlfriend totaled his car attorneys and met with FDOT executives. “We are delighted that the Court has vin- Miami-Dade MPO. in 1988. The result was a position paper calling for dicated our position,” said Andy Clarke, He is a regular bike “That is definitely one of the most signifi- FDOT to adhere to its own standards. FBA, President of the League of American commuter and utilitar- cant events in my life” says Clemente. however, felt legal action would be most Bicyclists. “From this day forward, the ian cyclist who dab- “I was 19, couldn’t afford to replace my effective if initiated by cyclists in Palm bles in touring and David Henderson car and had to ride my bicycle everywhere. I Beach County. Please see A1A update, page 4 mountain biking. David has a BA in didn’t think so at the time, but looking back Economics from Indiana University and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning ® Please see Board, page 3 PRO BIKE PRO WALK FLORIDA from the University of Miami.

Don’t miss the fourth annual PRO BIKE® PRO WALK FLORIDA CONFER- East Coast Greenway ENCE “Making Your Community Healthy, Safe and Green” Oct. 20-23, 2008 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront hotel.

makes Florida waves The conference is a collaborative effort of many people and organizations by Herb Hiller involved with health, safety and the environment and is for anyone who wants to make their community healthier, safer, better functioning and more [Editor’s note: The East Coast Greenway is Advocacy, as any FBA devotee knows, alive with people. Sessions will focus on ways to move your community for- a proposed 3,000 mile traffic-free path from does come with its ups and downs. Oh, ward through well-designed transportation projects. In addition to the edu- Calais, Maine to Key West. According to the Lord; deliver us unto consistent smooth cational sessions, participants will enjoy walking and biking tours, dynamic East Coast Greenway Alliance, nearly 20 effort! keynote speakers and vendor exhibits. This year, two fun events coincide percent is now on those traffic-free paths, Year two after the Alliance board con- with the conference: Sunday morning, Oct. 19, the Share the Road Ride with the rest mapped out on interim roads.] vened in Jacksonville last March starts with hosted by the St Petersburg Bicycle Club; later, the Bicycle Bash by the the Greenway 150 paved off-road miles in If year one of momentum for the East Coast Florida, with bi-state water taxi ready to Bay, staged by the SouthWest Florida United Bicycle Dealers coalition. Greenway Alliance in Florida was what the make waves, and many sections that cry out Chinese might call The Year of the Roller for connection. The green future of Florida depends on improving community planning and Coaster, year two might one day be refer- protecting public health, safety and the environment. This conference will enced as The Year of the Serenely Ascending ❏ Spring debuts a new map-guide to bring people together who can promote change to achieve this goal. Platform. Nassau, Duval and St. Johns counties that In American metaphor, maybe it’s a rookie displays Greenway in place and connecting year of inconsistent home runs and strikeouts gaps together with natural and cultural sites Visit our website at giving way to a sophomore stanza of steadily and sights. www.probikeprowalkflorida.com meeting the ball. for additional information. continued on page 5 2 Florida Bicycle Association Messenger

City names denote board member distribution. Is your Thanks to Our Donors! (1st Q 2008): area represented? Contact a board member today!

Lifetime members Advocating a Kimberly Cooper bicycle-friendly Florida dB Technologies James Nash Mr. & Mrs. H. Middleton Raynal P.O. Box 718, Waldo, FL 32694 Dr. Joe Warren

Waldo (FBA HQ) Mighk and Carol Wilson

Executive Director Membership Director Palatka Laura Hallam Deb Devoe Paceline Leaders ($1,000+) Brooksville P.O. Box 718 2738 Gables Drive Orlando Boca Raton Bicycle Association Waldo, FL 32694 Eustis, FL 32726 Gainesville Cycling Club Phone: 352-468-3430 [email protected] Fax: 352-468-3430 Cell: 407-399-9961 Golden Gears ($250 - $499) [email protected] Ft. Myers James Nash W Palm Bch Orange Cycle

Boynton Bch

Board of Directors Miami Silver Spokes ($100 - $249) David Henderson, President Dan Moser Mighk Wilson Rich Dunkel Koletzke 111 NW First Street, Suite 910 1449 Linhart Ave. 737 S. Mills Ave. Niles and Vickie Dr. Thomas Miami, FL 33128 Ft. Myers, FL 33901 Orlando, FL 32801 Anderson Demarco Phone: 305-666-4718 Phone/Fax: Phone: 407-898-4137 Ken and Michelle Seth Krieger and [email protected] 239-334-6417 [email protected] Languedoc Kathy Peres [email protected] Joseph Brooks Frederic D. Legate Raphael Clemente AICP, Vice President Barry and Cynthia Renee Quimby 301 Clematis St, Ste. 200 Hersh Linda Spivey West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Richard and Ann Robert McDonald Phone: 561-833-8873 Advisory Board Ingram Elizabeth Knizer Alan Wiginton William [email protected] Ken Bryan Laura Minns, Scrapbook and Memory Book Robert Sabin Schanzenbach Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Florida Field Office [email protected] Lawrence L. Jaffe John Boyle Don Braverman, Secretary [email protected] Chris and Valerie John P. Appel 27A Stratford Lane West Roger Pierce, Florida Touring Calendar Sands Bubba Barron Boynton Beach, FL. 33436 Keri Caffrey, Webmaster [email protected] Max and Jan Phone: 561-742-8074 [email protected] Carol Pulley, MPO/BPAC [email protected] Paul Casazza, Law Enforcement [email protected] [email protected] Steve Diez, Treasurer Tina Russo, Education Bronze Pedals ($50 - $99) 20 N. Main Street, Room 262 Hal Downing, Legal Affairs [email protected] Joe and Martha Daniel and Maria [email protected] Brooksville, FL 34601 Robert Seidler, Filmmaker Pfeifer Moser Phone: 352-754-4057 x 125 Herb Hiller, Journalist [email protected] Phil McDonald Richard Abedon [email protected] [email protected] Chris Icardi Roger V. Holdener John Sinibaldi, Jr Richard and Belinda Mona Posinoff Linda Crider, Ph.D. Dwight Kingsbury, Historian [email protected] Carlson Scott Hanson 116 Kirkland St. [email protected] Jim Tietsworth Perry C. McGriff, Jr. Randall Williams, Newsletter Patrick McNulty Brice Holland Palatka, FL 32177 Henry N. Lawrence, III, Special Programs [email protected] Martin Trautschold Jon Slaff Work Phone: 352-392-8192 [email protected] Patrick Donovan Joseph and Carrie [email protected] John and Kathy Bird George Martin, Law Enforcement Training Stamp Candace Odierna [email protected] Andrew Combes David and Marcia Steele Olmstead Wohlfarth Ronald Watts Clarice Hebinck Len and Betty David and Mary Handel Reardon Theresa Ziegler Candy LeCompte Join FBA Visit FBA’s Website Messenger Deadlines Gary and Liz Bryant Richard Daly Jesus and Martha Laura Hallam Use the application form on the last www.floridabicycle.org Copy and Advertising Deadlines: Gomez James S. Teryl page. Suggested contributions (tax Summer Messenger - June 15 Brenda Ward Patrick A. Donovan deductible): Subscribe to FBA Fall Messenger - September 15 Joel D. Ospa Bob and Mina Woltil Winter Messenger - December 15 Michael Stewart News, and FBA and Spring Messenger - March 15 Individual $25 FORBA e-mail lists Family $35 Inquiries and submissions: Student/living lightly $15 Stay up-to-date on bicycle issues [email protected] Club & Corporate Bicycle Club $100 with these statewide forums. Lake Wales Main Street, Inc. Corporate/Agency $100 Retro City Cycles Higher donations are greatly appre- To subscribe to Florida Bicycle Membership Categories: Paceline Volusia County MPO Association's FBAlink, go to FBA’s West Orange Trail Bikes and Blades ciated! See membership categories, Leaders ($1,000+), Titanium Partners J & B Importers, Inc. home page at the website URL listed below. ($500-$999), Golden Gears ($250- Mark Jackson, Polk County Sports above and click on the “Sign up for Marketing FBA News Updates by E-Mail” link. $499), Silver Spokes ($100-$249), Make check payable and mail to: Volusia County MPO Bronze Pedals ($50-$99), Kathy Bliss (BOBbies Cycling Club) Florida Bicycle Association, Inc., FBA Blog on the www P.O. Box 718, Waldo, FL 32694 http://flabicycle.blogspot.com Membership includes a subscrip- or join online at floridabicycle.org. tion to the FBA Messenger. Spring 2008 3

President’s message... Board elects new David Henderson leaders from page 1 No magic bullet it was the best thing that could have hap- icycle advocates that will automatically lead to a bike- pened.” friendly state. Raphael’s passion for cycling manifested around the state itself in racing and he spent a season in Bicycle advisory committees, clubs, Europe and a couple of years as a domestic are excited by the bike shops and advocates still need to pro following the sport. First District Court get involved with the decision-makers “It was a really hard way to get by but it sure in their communities, preferably in an was a great adventure. Sort of like running of Appeal's decision in away and joining the circus, only harder.” encourage all Floridians to choose to Duties as husband and father have damp- Rosenzweig This vision will not ride. ened his racing activity, but not his passion et al. v FDOT [see story, page 1] come about because a This vision will not come about for bicycling. He now commutes by bicycle because it gives them a new tool to cre- because a court in Tallahassee said it daily to stay in ate a more bike-friendly Florida. court in Tallahassee should. It will happen because the shape. In that decision the court affirmed the Don Braverman, said it should. It will community comes together to let elect- existing statute that requires bicycle and of Boynton Beach, happen because the ed officials know that bicycling can takes over the secre- pedestrian ways be established in the help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, tary position. development of state transportation community comes can help prevent diseases associated Don has trained facilities and that any affected bicyclist together with lack of physical activity and is for service on the has the right to challenge FDOT if it incredibly popular with residents and FBA board of direc- does not include bike facilities in a road- advisory role during planning rather tors via his previous visitors. way project. than as an adversary in a court proceed- Don Braverman service stints with Democracy works. Having the courts the Chicagoland Mr. Rosenzweig, the Boca Raton ing. remind the state of its responsibilities Bicycle Federation and the League of Illinois Bicycle Club, and the League of A bike-friendly Florida will have for building complete streets is fantastic Bicyclists boards of directors. American Bicyclists deserve our grati- miles of facilities but also bike parking, but making support for bicycling part of He, and his wife, Marianne Coulton, tude for standing up for the right of citi- education programs, enforcement of moved to Florida in 2001 from Evanston, our values is the real way to build com- zens to challenge agency decisions; traffic safety laws, and events to Illinois where Don was an active member of plete communities. the bicycle community. however, this decision is no magic bullet He served on the Evanston Bicycle Club’s board for six years, serving two years as for Hernando County president. as part of his duties Don is a member of the League of with the Hernando American Bicyclists and has worked with the County MPO. League’s Bicycle Friendly Community Former board mem- effort. Past vice president of the Boca Raton ber and president, Bicycle Club, he now Linda Crider rejoins serves as chair of the the board. Dr. Crider is club’s advocacy com- Linda Crider a research associate at mittee. the University of Florida Steve Diez of Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning. She Brooksville, continues also coordinates the FDOT statewide Traffic as board treasurer. and Bicycle Safety Education Program and Steve is the is executive director of Bike Florida, Inc. Steve Diez Bike/Ped Coordinator

Welcome New and Returning Members Achieving 10-year Members! Status this Quarter Barbara Van Dusen Lisa Hare Bernie and Patti Lori Kruger William and Jan Mark Haberer Luther (Lou) Parrott Aurelia Panica Betty S. Huber Maria Bailey Bruce and Tricia Martin Betty Wojcik Mario DeJesus Chris and Valerie Sands Candy LeCompte Matt Keraus Donna O'Neal and Linda Alexionok Catalina Jaramillo Matthew Snook Barry and Cynthia Hersh and Chad Harris Michael and Chis Hylemon Eunkyung Voris Richard and Ann Ingram Chris Icardi Mimi Reid Hardman Joseph and Margaret Mustion Chris Kaminsk Nancy Hardin Tom and Debbie Punzak Cynthia M. Johnson Palmer Wood Patrick Donovan Dan Logan Patrick and Toria James Nash David Schroeder Nave Daniel and Maria Moser Geoff Allen Priscillia Edwards Rebecca Afonso Goy and Grazyna Renee Quimby Brigida Richard Clarke Lyndy Moore Gred and Ginnie Richard Smith Florida Freewheelers Ungewitter Robert McDonald Jack Seelie Sergey Landesman New 5 Year Members this Quarter Janine Carreras Sharon Becker Terrie Vacchiano Jim Gouvellis Stephen and Donna Steve Diez Jim Tietsworth Fullerton John Bernat Steve Bayard Lee Tauck John Costa Tammy Watte Jeanne Hargrave John Lawson Thomas Phiebig John Odoardo Tina Hamilton Julie Nichols Todd Hammond Linda Spivey 4 Florida Bicycle Association Messenger

A1A bike lane lawsuit update Cyclist goes to court on ‘obstructing traffic’ charge continued from page 1 for taking the left lane...before turning left

Florida DOT has very limited discretion in “Indeed, FDOT procedures have long Pinellas County bicycle commuter and intending to turn left at any intersection shall determining when NOT to accommodate required that Districts record any variation advocate Chip Haynes (FBA Messenger approach the intersection in the extreme left- bicyclists and pedestrians in roadway proj- from the requirement to provide bicycle and Vol. 3, No. 4, Winter 2000) reports that fel- hand lane lawfully available to traffic mov- ects.” pedestrian facilities; now the Court says low cyclist Charles Brown was ticketed for ing in the direction of travel of such vehicle, That was the good news. FDOT must do so as well.” obstructing traffic by making a left turn. and, after entering the intersection, the left But the Court’s ruling did not prevent con- FBA advisory board attorney Hal “He was in [the left turn lane] for 1,900 turn shall be made so as to leave the inter- struction on parts of A1A to go ahead with- Downing agrees that lessons learned from feet,” writes Haynes. section in a lane lawfully available to traffic out provision for the bicycle lanes. this exercise should be applied to any future Regardless, the judge found Brown not moving in such direction upon the roadway According to the Court opinion, although disputes. guilty since the law does not specify a mini- being entered. cyclists correctly interpreted section “These are the things that will be needed mum or maximum time or distance a cyclist “ A person riding a bicycle and intending to 335.065, Florida Statutes, they could only the next time we want to challenge the can take the left lane to make a turn. turn left in accordance with this section is have challenged the FDOT order had it been FDOT's decision not to incorporate bike For the interested, here is the wording in entitled to the full use of the lane from issued after a formal hearing. Since advo- lanes,” said Downing. “In that spirit, we the Florida Statues: which the turn may legally be made. cates never requested a formal hearing, the should make the most of what is beneficial “§316.151. Required position and method “ Whenever practicable the left turn shall be Court was constrained to affirm the final from the case: the FDOT has now been told of turning at intersections. made in that portion of the intersection to the order. that the statute means what it plainly says b) Left turn – The driver of a vehicle left of the center of the intersection.” So cycling advocates won recognition that and the FDOT can only use three reasons they had standing to contest FDOT’s deci- why not to incorporate bike lanes in new sion not to put in bike lanes, but lost in this projects. particular A1A case due to rules pertaining “Now, we just have to figure out how to to informal and formal hearings. monitor, or to teach local cyclists to monitor, FBA immediate past president Mighk all future FDOT projects.” Taking the lane Wilson wrote in a recent blog that “the news According to attorney Jeffrey Lynne, the is mostly very good.” 1st DCA did throw cycling advocates a Bicycle law in Florida, and most other states, requires cyclists to ride, with “The key point [in the 1st DCA opinion] bone, declaring that a conflict of law exists some exceptions, “as close as practicable to the right.” The word “practica- is ‘demonstrated’,’’ wrote Wilson. “The that, should advocates wish to pursue the ble” has generated much debate among cyclists, and much heated debate Department must now demonstrate that a issue, is a question for higher appeal. between cyclists and law enforcement. particular project cannot include bike lanes "We are discussing our options for appeal and/or sidewalks, due to reasons of safety, and legal clarification with our extraordinary It’s one of those waffle words that leave much room for interpretation excessive cost, or an absence of need. legal team of Akerman Senterfitt and and whose definition depends a lot on a seemingly endless variety of cir- “The Court also made clear that cyclists Silverman Cosgrove & Sammataro," said cumstances. and pedestrians clearly have legal standing LAB’s Andy Clarke. FBA advisory board member for legal affairs, Hal Downing recently in such matters,” Wilson continued. Discussion is on-going to determine pointed readers of his weekly cycling email to an article in VeloNews “Cycling and pedestrian advocates must whether bike lane advocates will pursue the still be watchful on projects, but now have a procedural matter up to the Florida Supreme (www.velonews.com/article/7289) that, according to attorney Downing, much stronger hand to force FDOT to prove Court. sheds some pretty good light on the subject. any of those three conditions. The column, “Legally Speaking with Bob Mionske – Plowing through some touchy issues,” posted by Bob Mionske, JD on February 28, attempts to answer some questions posed by a Wisconsin reader/cyclist Bill to allow bikes through unresponsive traffic who was told by law enforcement officials that the “substandard width lane signals gets a green light from Missouri Senate statute in Wisconsin [same as ours in Florida] does not allow [a cyclist] to take more of a lane than would normally be practicable” and that taking more of that lane would leave vehicles coming up from behind “no choice A bill just OK’d by the Missouri senate if danger of receiving a traffic ticket.” passed would allow bicycles and motorcy- According to the website, the provision but to make an unsafe pass.” cles to treat unresponsive traffic signals as “will also help put pressure on DOTs and The right side of the lane in most cases would seem to be a sensible stop signs. public works departments to fix these traffic place for a cyclist to ride. The controversy arises when those ignorant of The Missouri Bicycle News, an Internet signals so that they properly recognize and the law, including enforcement officials, uniformly apply “as close as prac- activate for bicycles and motorcycles.” newsletter of the Missouri Bicycle ticable” to all roads and all situations. Federation, reports that Senate Bill 761 car- The bill, says the News, is part of an ries two provisions that address inequities omnibus transportation bill that covers many Attorney Mionske writes (and Fla. Statutes §316.2065(5) agrees) that faced by cyclists. issues. As of this printing, no word is avail- when a lane is substandard width “you are not required to ride to the The so-called “Dead red for bicycles” pro- able on how the Missouri House of right...You can take the entire lane, because to do otherwise would, by vision, says the News, “will allow motorcy- Representatives will receive the bill. statutory definition, be unsafe.” You can stay up-to-date on this at clists or bicyclists who come to a traffic sig- Florida statutes and Department of Transportation standards add up to nal that will not change for them, to proceed http://mobikefed.org. through the signal, when safe, without any a lane width of 14 feet as “the minimum width that will allow passenger cars to safely pass bicyclists within a single lane.” (FDOT Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards) ‘Bicycle Bash’ and ‘Share the Road Ride’ to coin- So unless you ride on whopping 14-ft-wide lanes, repeating Mionske, regardless of how you feel about road position, “you are not required to ® cide with Pro Bike Pro Walk Florida conference ride to the right.” Attorney Bob Mionske is the author of Bicycling and the Law – Your South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers (SWFBUD) announced that its 3rd annual afternoon Bicycle Bash by the Bay on Oct. 19 at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg will Rights as a Cyclist, a book that should be on the shelf of every active include the Share the Road Ride, a popular organized morning ride put on by the St. bicyclist (alongside FBA’s Florida Bicycling Street Smarts and Florida Petersburg Bicycle Club. Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide, of course) — and in the reference library of every law enforcement agency. SWFBUD, an alliance of seven Tampa Bay area bicycle stores united behind bicycle You can find Mionski’s book on Amazon.com. Florida Bicycling Street advocacy, moved the bicycle festival a week earlier this year to tap into the week of the FBA-sponsored Pro Bike® Pro Walk Florida conference, coming to St. Petersburg Smarts is available from FBA at the website, as is a downloadable pdf Oct. 20-23. SWFBUD holds the Bicycle Bash by the Bay annually to promote and cele- copy of the Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide. brate bicycling as a healthy lifestyle and an effective mode of transportation. Spring 2008 5

Executive Director’s report...

Greenways and Blueways Laura Hallam

I recently spent two weeks traveling as a Paddle Florida and Bike Florida share the Some rode along the Pinellas Trail on volunteer on the back-to-back Paddle same general concept: paddling or biking by Sunday; most didn't actually begin cycling Florida and Bike Florida tours. day and camping at night. Meal plans, lug- until Monday when local trail traffic was There are definite distinctions between gage service, evening entertainment, maps minimal. and snacks via rest stops are provided. Throughout the week, cyclists enjoyed the Participants have the opportunity to Pinellas, Suncoast Parkway, Withlacoochie observe nature and experience places off the Bay, Withlacoochie State and Nature Coast beaten path. trails. Participants from both Florida and Your worries slip away as you begin the out-of-state were equally impressed with day in your kayak/canoe or on your bike. It's Florida’s trail system and plans to expand all about getting yourself ready and GOING! the network. I won’t go into much more of Paddle Trails — aquatic or land — offer the Florida. See the story on page 9 by newslet- opportunity to enjoy nature with your family ter editor Randall Williams for more about and friends. In many cases, they serve as a his and his son’s experience. good transportation source especially at a When Bike Florida executive director time when oil prices and health issues con- One of the several bike trails along the Bike Linda Crider suggested a Trail Link concept tinue to rise. Florida 2008 route photo: Bike Florida several years ago I was quite skeptical. Trails bring communities together and the events, participants and dynamics, but I personally prefer riding on roads but encourage economic growth by bringing ‘Group Riding’ brochure one common thread prevails: trails are enjoy the beauty of shared use trails from people to places they might not ordinarily relaxing, scenic and healthy. Trails allow time to time. visit. lays out rules for club you to see, smell, listen to and touch nature. I was concerned about putting a large Trails are a positive solution to health ver- Paddle Florida celebrated its inaugural number of people on a trail built to be sus healthcare — both mental and physical. rides event with 150 participants paddling the enjoyed by all types of users, plus support It's about us, our recreation and trans- Suwannee River Wilderness Trail from the efforts via SAG (support and gear) vehicles. portation. The brochure, available for free download Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park near Fortunately, I was wrong. There was a I hope to be involved with many more of (pdf) from the FBA Website is a compan- Live Oak to Manatee Springs State Park natural stagger as riders left camp in the both events. ion to the Group Riding DVD, which has near Chiefland. morning so traffic moved well. Read more about trails in Herb Hiller’s eight public service announcements plus Bike Florida Trail Link 2008 celebrated This year, the event began on a Sunday, article (see page 1) about his efforts and ini- narrative, for only $5 to cover shipping its 15th edition with 650 cyclists on a com- so most participants were busy with travel, tiatives with the East Coast Greenway and handling. bination trail and road route from setting up their camp and making sure their Allliance, promoters of a multi-state trail Get a bunch and share with your local Clearwater to Fanning Springs. bikes were road- and trail-ready. system all the way from Maine to Key West. TV stations. The brochure gives 11 important rules for traveling in a group of bicyclists— The Greenway already runs fully north-south through rules that can mean the difference between Greenway makes Florida waves Indian River (as it also does through Flagler, north an enjoyable, safe ride and a ride in an beyond the Treasure Coast). ambulance. continued from page 1 Treasure Coast RPC Growth Management The report was prepared for the State Coordinator Kim Delaney volunteered to take charge. Safety Office, Department of ❏ Late spring, posted signs will mark the Greenway con- Her cohort gave thanks. Transportation, State of Florida, in cooper- gruent with the Overseas Heritage Trail through the Florida The mid-March meeting in Stuart preceded only by ation with the National Highway Traffic Keys. The first Florida kiosk for the Greenway is expected days meetings in Savannah and St. Augustine and, Safety Administration, U.S. Department of in Boca Raton by fall. equally by days, followed meetings in Miami-Dade and Transportation and/or Federal Highway Tallahassee advancing the cause of the 3,000-mile-long Administration, U.S. Department of ❏ November promises a Bike Florida-led invitational tour East Coast Greenway, which includes its longest section Transportation. of the newly developing 260-mile St. Johns River-to-the- of 600 miles through Florida (with its priority trail rank- Sea Loop through St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, Brevard and ing from Florida's Office of Greenways & Trails). Putnam counties, including Amtrak and two airport access Later in spring, Dunedin CRA and Economic points. Development Director Bob Ironsmith will meet with ❏ Volusia leadership in Deltona to tie the Greenway to Next January a leadership group from Savannah next economic development. January will learn from four days of cycling northeast Soon after comes expected start of the St. Marys Florida trails how to quicken trails back home while also River water taxi that will avoid miles of dangerous U.S. drawing attention to the growing off-road network through 17 in south Georgia and north Florida, while scenically Nassau, Duval and St. Johns counties. connecting St. Marys with Fernandina Beach. Together with OGT and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, ❏ Cue sheets for the entire Florida route have been posted the Greenway has become a leading advocate for trails online (www.greenway.org). in the emerging second phase of Florida cycling advoca- cy that began 30 years ago when cyclists gained the “There’s already enough in place that it's like whiffs and okay to ride roads and has now moved beyond the needs clatter from a kitchen that promise dinner soon on the of Florida's most competent riders to gaining off-road, table,” says Greenway Alliance Florida Committee multi-use trails for families and others less adventurous. Chairman Paul Haydt. It's they, all indicators affirm, who will swell the “In addition, the Greenway benefits more every day as ranks of Floridians willing to give up their cars for short Florida greens — as we try to reduce the carbon footprint commutes, for recreation and, joined by outsiders, for in our lives, improve fitness, demand enjoyment of our vacationing on high-quality Florida trails. conservation lands and save on runaway gas costs.” March auspiciously began with the Treasure Coast ❏❏❏❏❏ Regional Planning Council organizing a working group for the Greenway through Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Another Greenway in the works... Palm Beach counties. Naples Pathways Coalition (NPC) continues to work Indicative of the hardly-two-alike folks who “get” the toward realizing the River of Grass Greenway (ROGG), Greenway, chief of the Fort Pierce CRA Jon Ward repre- a proposed multi-use pathway across the Everglades sented St. Lucie; chief of conservation lands Chuck paralleling Hwy 41. Barrowclough, Martin, and MPO bike-ped coordinator Bret Check out the website www.evergladesROGG.org. Baronak, Palm Beach. Maureen Bonness, [email protected], is contact. 6 Florida Bicycle Association Messenger

Health Matters...Information and products to help you stay healthy. Letters to FBA In Japan, being a fat cat will co$t you Neighborhood walkability score disputed by Louis P. Brady, MD ... accountability measures proposed

Japan Begins Compulsory Flab Check. Readers take issue, ask questions, offer sug- ceptions I had about biking. Now I see the gestions, or otherwise stir the pot. We Plans to curb the alarming rate of metabolic syndrome reason for some of the laws and why they reserve the right to edit your letters for have to be. It would be nice if more length and to make your English more bet- 2008---Japan’s government has been so blood sugar, and smoking are also taken into motorists were aware of the laws, that they ter. The opinions offered here do not neces- have to share the road and that they are to alarmed by the growing healthcare costs of account. sarily reflect those of the Florida Bicycle give the bicyclist some room while passing. expanding waistlines that starting this year, What’s more, Japanese companies will be Association, its officers, staff, board of everyone over the age of 40 will have to be required to cut the number of over-sized directors or FBA Messenger editors. I must say that my experience is that most tested for Metabolic Syndrome*. workers and dependents by 10 percent by motorists are friendly and tolerate the pres- The new exams are part of a government 2012, and by 25 percent by 2015. Failing to xecutive director Laura Hallam wrote in her ent of a bike on "their" (our) roads. effort to curb the spiraling medical do so will result in a surcharge of as much December 13, 2007 e-newsletter (also at Thanks again for the booklet. costs-much of it attributed to as 10 percent on a company's www.floridabicycle.org/news.html. Click on the nation's growing obe- contributions to an elder- the Dec. 13 archive.) about a website, — Stan Jones sity epidemic. ly care fund. www.walkscore.com, that calculates a Lakeland The Japanese Japanese “‘walk score’ for any address you input.” ❏❏❏❏❏ Ministry of Health, waistlines are still a The idea is for you to choose a neighbor- Labor, and Welfare long way from hood that offers walkable — or bikeable — reports that those in the US, distances to groceries, shops, entertainment, health-care which has the etc. That news story generated the following A not so modest proposal spending (Japan fattest population response from a Tallahassee resident. has a type of among developed to reduce addiction to universal health countries. I have to say that walkscore.com does a driving and increase care) rose 23 Two-thirds of terrible job for my neighborhood, due to its percent — $320 Americans over specific priorities. It gives my neighborhood motorist accountability billion US dol- age 20 are over- a 28, indicating very poor walkability. lars. weight, according The many people I see walking down the Motorists have been spoiled rotten since the By 2020, health- to data from the street in front of my house (far more than in beginning of the motorized revolution and care will represent 11.5 National Center for most local neighborhoods) obviously dis- now are addicted to cars, gas and the ability percent of Japan’s gross domestic product. Health Statistics. agree. to destroy and use any resource needed to Because of the adoption of western foods, Certainly walkability is relative. keep driving. lack of exercise and an aging population, * a combination of medical disorders that Walkscore.com downrates my neighborhood Motorists have been given every incentive Japanese men are about 10 percent heavier increases the risk of developing heart dis- because the density is low (mostly half-acre to waste and destroy every other roadways than 30 years ago and women are 6.4 per- ease and diabetes. Symptoms and features lots). Yet I am only a mile and a half from a user, and their rights; roads are made larger cent fatter. include: large mall, and on the rare occasions I go and larger for fleets of empty cars while The ministry estimates that 50 percent of 1. HIGH fasting blood sugar there, I can walk. motorists are never made accountable for the men over age 40 and 20 percent of women 2. CENTRAL OBESITY--overweight with I am only two miles from the state capitol real problem of their addiction to and arro- will be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. fat deposits mainly around the waist building, and many state offices are within gant attitudes toward driving. For the men, a key measure is whether 3. Decreased HDL cholesterol-under 40 walk-to-commute distance. Change no level of service ratings until all they have a waistline wider than 33.5 in. 4. Elevated TRIGLYCERIDES-over 150 Using Google to find businesses is partic- autos are filled with people and the roads are Body mass, cholesterol, blood pressure, ularly problematic for walkability because it at gridlock. Then begin to talk alternatives. prefers larger businesses. They list a Publix In fact, long before that will happen bicy- .87 miles from me (not there any more), but Here’s a list of the items featured in this and past issues: clist and pedestrian activity will be naturally they miss the locally run New Leaf Market, replacing said addictive and arrogant behav- preferred by many in the neighborhood — ❏ Immunizen (item 18401) iors, thus bringing the system to a steady especially bicyclists. ❏ Osteo Essentials – cartilage rebuilding (item 4057) state. It's pretty bizarre that a site claiming to ❏ VISUtein® – pharmaceutical grade eye-sight protection (item 14634) listed in PDR Make the playing field honest and reality rate walkability has set up a system that dis- ❏ Prostate TLC – men's health (item 18137) based for all users and make the motorists criminates against small local businesses. ❏ BiosLife Complete – cholesterol reduction (item 228880) listed in PDR pay the real cost of driving, which includes Finally, they apparently give no value to ❏ LowOz™ – hydration solution (item R21424) I.O.C. certified health and environmental effects. walking WITHIN the neighborhood. ❏ LoveRx® Men (item 16189) Remove the real problem areas, teen driv- True, most of those people walking down ❏ Rx® Women (item 16188) ers and the elderly through a functional mass my street are "just" going for a walk, not to transit program and real legislation that a destination. But isn't that important too? Remember, when you order by calling 800-864-2489 and mentioning account no. 5790501, gives pedestrians and bicyclists legal rights After all, fitness is listed as one reason all profits go to FBA. Ask about the 60-day empty box guarantee. to the roadways and recourse if harassed. that walkability is important. Implement a driver’s training program And the walkability within my neighbor- that is hands-on and based first on bicycle hood means that the one-mile walk to New proficiency, before you can have the chance Leaf Market is very pleasant until the last to be proficient in a car. block — it's a mostly shaded walk along Design cities and streets for people first narrow streets — and yet a highly urbanized — not autos first. half-mile would be rated as more walkable. Add a gas tax of $0.50 per gallon for alternatives and begin no capital improve- — Edward ments except bike, ped and mass transit for Tallahassee the next 20 years. ❏❏❏❏❏ No share the road program will ever be effective while one user has all the power and no accountability.

Thanks for the booklet — Robert Seidler Sopchoppy I did receive my free booklet [Florida Bicycling Street Smarts]; you were very prompt in sending it. Thank you. The book- let has helped me put aside some miscon- Spring 2008 7

Naples community policing officers Volunteers sought for 2nd annual get grant for bicycle education Parramore Kidz Zone & CityTeenz Pedal for Pride Bicycle Ride in Orlando FBA in January awarded Naples community The City of Naples Police and Emergency Here’s why you are needed: policing officers a $1,500 Share the Road Services department also has an ongoing mini-grant to help address the education of campaign called “Lights on Bikes.” Ride Mentors: the more the merrier. We motorists and bicyclists on how to properly During Lights on Bikes campaigns, light need plenty of experienced adult cyclists to and legally share the road. sets and blinkers are installed on the bicycles mix with the kids, demonstrate good cycling Currently the City of Naples Police and of needy restaurant workers throughout the behavior, share their years of cycling wis- Emergency Services Department conducts city who ride their bikes to and from work at dom, and just encourage the kids and have a multiple bicycle safety events such as bicy- night, and who can’t afford to equip their good time. cle rodeos and “Lights on Bikes” campaigns, bikes with the proper lighting. participates in the Naples Pathways annual To further help with workers’ riding Route Markers: We need two teams of two Pedaling for Pathways Bicycle Brunch and awareness, members of the Naples Pathways to mark the routes (the shorter 4-mile little works to promote bicycle lanes within the Coalition give restaurant employees bicycle kids route and the longer 7-mile big kids City of Naples. safety brochures detailing the rules of the route) the day before and make sure all’s in The department hosts two bicycle rodeos road. place the morning of. during May (Spring break) and June (sum- The City of Naples has also begun to air a mer vacation). bicycle safety video on city-operated channel Wrenches: Experienced mechanics are need- At the rodeos children have their bicycles 12. The video addresses the importance of ed to ensure the kids (and parents!) bikes are inspected and repaired by The Bike Route motorists and bicyclists working together to safe and ready to ride. We are also trying to and Bikes for Tykes at no charge. reach their destination in a safe and friendly give away to the kids some old bikes confis- The children are then given free bicycle manner. cated by Orlando Police and Lynx; those helmets donated by the Zack Lezak helmet The police and emergency services depart- Volunteers are needed for the Second Annual bikes will need some work ahead of time so fund. ment will use the FBA to purchase bicycle Parramore Kidz Zone & CityTeenz Pedal for they can be ready the day-of. After the safety checks the children are light sets for the 2008 Lights on Bikes cam- Pride Bicycle Ride on Saturday, May 3. challenged by three different cone courses paign and bicycle rodeos. The ride starts at 9:00 a.m. and will con- Helmet Fitters: Those with experience fit- that incorporate different levels of bicyclist FBA presented the grant to Naples officers tinue until about 11:00 a.m. ting helmets are needed to ensure the kids skills from beginner to intermediate for all on January 27, 2008 during the Naples Volunteer bike repair begins at 8:00 a.m. have them on correctly. children ages 16 and under. Pathways Coalition’s second annual Pedaling Where: The ride starts at Jackson To SEE how much fun we had last year, The purpose of hosting the rodeos is to for Pathways Bicycle Brunch at Lowdermilk Community Center at the corner of go here: http://picasaweb.google.com/getac- motivate young bicyclists to ride their bicy- Park. Westmoreland Ave. and Carter St., Orlando, tiveorlando/PKZPedaling4PrideBikeRide cles in a safe and friendly manner. During the event about 520 registered rid- and will pick up more kids at four more During the bicycle rodeos, Naples police ers rode in either 10-mile, 20-mile, 62-mile spots along the way. To volunteer, contact Mighk Wilson at officers and staff members from the City of or 100-mile tours. Free food and drinks will be available [email protected] or 407- Naples Recreation Department raffle off for all! 481-5672 ext 318. donated bicycles. 8 Florida Bicycle Association Messenger

A breast cancer survivor’s story... The search for a pink ribbon jersey by Barb Thomas

or me the search graphic designer, also a member of the club (thank you, Matt !), we came up with a began in June design, submitted it to the Louis Garneau art F 2007. A breast department, made some adjustments here and there, and we were on our way to our cancer survivor, I wanted to own, one-of-a-kind jersey to promote breast cancer awareness in a very positive way, via combine my love of cycling exercise. By August, we had orders from over 40 with some means, in my own individuals for a total of 78 jerseys in both small way, of increasing women’s and men’s sizes. The new jerseys made their debut at the breast cancer awareness. Gainesville club’s festival in October, and from there, interest has continued to grow. I started hunting through catalogs and web- From the sales, we were able to donate sites, looking for a pink ribbon jersey, but $644 to the Florida Breast Cancer Coalition couldn’t find one. Although many company Research Foundation (www.fbccrf.org), an reps told me they thought it was a great idea, affiliate of the National Breast Cancer no one had one yet. Coalition. They wrote up the jersey in their Finally, many many phone calls and December newsletter. emails later, the rep at Louis Garneau told Our second order recently arrived, and me that they would be able to do a custom this time we also did matching gloves and order for me, so long as I had the necessary shorts, and a sleeveless version of the photo provided from GCC/R. Wilt archives minimum to place the order. women's jersey. What started out as a search for one As before, the proceeds will go to the FBCCRF. The short-sleeved jersey is $65 and others have been sent all over the U.S. To those of you who have already ordered became a mission to get 11 more interested Thanks to the FBA’s online newsletter, our jersey, Dave and I and the FBCCRF people. Not to mention a design! (plus shipping if applicable). A copyright for the design has been we’ve received orders from as far away as thank you for your support! My husband Dave and I are members of England. happy and healthy riding to you all. the Gainesville Cycling Club. applied for; someday we may see the jersey on Sheryl Crow, a devoted breast cancer Once the order is placed (minimum num- We sent out a group email to see what the bers still apply), it takes 8 to 10 weeks to For more information about sizes, pricing, response might be. The results were over- awareness advocate, since she has one of them. receive it. etc., please contact Barb Thomas at whelming. We have a small number of extra jerseys 352-377-4427 or [email protected]. And men wanted a pink ribbon jersey, At least two of them will be worn at this summer’s Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), on hand, and Doug at the Bike Route is also too! With the accomplished help of a local carrying the jerseys, shorts and gloves. Spring 2008 9

Transition from pedaling to paddling not so traumatic by Randall Williams

It’s 5:30 a.m. and I am cold and sore from Florida (including among others the Florida sleeping on the hard ground. Sunrise isn’t Department of Environmental Protection, the until 7:30, but it’s not dark. The humming Division of Recreation and Parks, and the light on the pole outside my tent has seen to counties, cities, businesses and citizens of that with its nightlong bath of unnatural the Suwannee River Basin) have done an blue-white glare. amazing job in accommodating a wide vari- Judging from the buzz of zippers and ety of river travelers, from the hard core click clack of collapsing tent poles, others adventurers who gut it out with minimal are awake and already packing up to go. I comforts on a sand bar, to those who temper have six more mornings like this to look for- their experience with the river camps’ ward to, in between which I am required to screened sleeping platforms, the aforemen- get in a small boat and paddle for four? five? tioned hot and cold running bathrooms and six? eight? hours to another more or less charcoal grills equipped with spatulas and primitive campground. I wonder whether I tongs. have what it takes. We eased into this wilderness experience I’ve been on extended bicycle tours with a with a pre-river first night at Spirit of the similar format — camp, break camp, line up Suwannee Music Park, near Live Oak, more for chow, ride, arrive at destination hot and familiarly known for its weekly country and exhausted, make camp, line up for the show- blue grass music blowouts on both indoor ers, line up for chow. I know I can do that, and outdoor stages. I’m tempted to move my although lately I’ve preferred being pam- tent into one of their regular campgrounds pered at B&Bs along the way. It’s the pad- and let the others dip their paddles into the dling part I don’t know about. mist-shrouded Suwannee. But a hearty hot A whiff of coffee brewing tells me some- breakfast and memories of the awful karaoke one was thoughtful enough to bring their of the previous evening get me down to the On the 40-degree dawn of the first day of Paddle Florida, the author in bicycle gloves and own coffee maker. Not a bad idea with beach instead. windbreaker (hey, we had to justify this story somehow) fastens the clasp of his personal flota- breakfast still an hour away. I get up enough At the beach the sun burns a hole in the tion device in preparation for the launch into the mists of the Suwannee River. Below left: courage to tumble out of my sleeping bag white mist rising from the glossy black river. Portrait of a modern wilderness adventurer: Blackberry and continual Internet connection with and into the misty pre-dawn activity of a The Suwannee, high on its banks from the Orlando office. Work goes on. camp getting ready to move down river. In spite of the morning chill and less than recent rains up in the Georgia headwaters, other’s stories. Or maybe that’s the way of luxurious sleeping arrangements, people on moves with determination, scooping up each those with river water flowing through their this first morning of a seven-day trip down canoe and kayak, pulling it away from the veins...if the people of Paddle Florida are the Suwannee River exude a friendly air of shore. We commit ourselves to the river, any example. ❏ anticipation. praying that arms and shoulders with bear up You can survive a 25-mile paddling day “Sleep well?” someone asks on the way to under the 63,000 odd paddle strokes between — and pack up your tent the following the bathroom. us and Manatee Springs State Park. morning and do it again... and again, even if “Not lately,” I answer. Over the next seven days several things you didn't train for it. “You will this afternoon.” become clear: ❏ Not that some training wouldn’t have ❏ And I spend the next half hour wondering Kayaks are faster than a heavy old canoe. helped. about the implications of that statement. A lot faster. So a well-organized river trip turns out to Paddle Florida 2008, the first ever large- ❏ Like a tail wind, a current — even of only be similar in many ways to a well-run bike scale paddling excursion in the state, is a one or two knots — can be a real morale trip. Good food, really nice people, helpful week of Suwannee River semi-wilderness booster. But it can send you back up river, or support staff. And the riverside campsites, along a 123-mile middle section of the 171- at least stop your progress, if you read its even though on the primitive end of the mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. It’s side to side meandering wrong. spectrum, are way more scenic than a mid- about a close as you can come to back-to- ❏ Any time you can sustain speeds of more dle school ball field. nature adventure in Florida while preserving than 5.3 mph, you’re really bookin’ it. An accumulation of funk from seven days a modicum of sanity with a moderate num- ❏ The river has a way of separating you and nights on the Suwannee River ber of hot showers and flush toilets along the from the rest of the world, but not from oth- Wilderness Trail washes away quite easily. I way. ers on the river. Fellow paddlers share a can’t help but suspect, however, that a bit of Actually, the Florida Park Service and camaraderie that grows as the days go on. river still flows through my own veins, its Suwannee River Water Management People who may not have acknowledged dark currents beckoning. District, with the help and cooperation of each other’s existence on a city street, go out I mark November 8-15, 2008 on my cal- practically everyone else in north central of their way to be friendly and accommodat- endar. Paddle Florida plans to do it again. ing and actually seem interested in each More info: www.paddleflorida.org 10 Florida Bicycle Association Messenger

Orlando emporium goal: making a go of organic food, all natural ice cream and one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in town

To house all these environmentally and n March, FBA past ecologically sensitive offerings, and provide president Mighk a workplace equally friendly, Beumer remodeled 44 East Central using standards I Wilson invited bicy- that should make any green activist swoon. The building was remodeled to make it clists to join in a lazy week- one of the greenest buildings in Florida. end ride that ended with an Chemical use was minimized with low VOC paint, not chemical-based floor sealer. ice cream social at a new, Cabinetry is made from wheat chaff. The men’s room uses a waterless urinal. bicycle-friendly downtown Lighting is fluorescents and CFLs. A new energy efficient HVAC system controls the destination, 44 East Central temperature inside spaces sealed for higher Blvd. efficiency and sun blocking film on the win- dows helps reduce overheating. Owner-operator Steven Beumer says it’s The building was one of the first commer- America’s “first urban food court.” But it’s cial applications of a new green pest control not just any old trio of shops built on a busi- program from Orkin. It is completely chem- ness as usual model. ical free and uses a combination of natural Beumer has stepped out in faith that his ingredients. environment-friendly, all natural combina- Paper and soap were part of a certification tion of food, beverages and ice creams will program from Dade Paper with 100% recy- catch the imagination of customers who cled content in the paper products and non- want chemical-free, natural selections served chemical-based hand soap. in surroundings built to conserve earth’s Employees at 44 East Central also have resources. some unique benefits. Those who bike to The food fare at the appropriately named work get an extra 10¢/hr pay incentive. O’Naturals, reports Beumer, consists of pani- A bicycle parking area, built with City of ni sandwiches, soups, salads, Asian noodles Orlando assistance, encourages bicycle driv- and pizza made with organic ingredients. ers to patronize the establishment. Beumer The meats used are carefully sourced to has an open invitation to bike clubs to begin provide an all natural selection. and end downtown rides at 44 East Central. Nearby City Java offers a menu of all Is the O’Naturals/City Java/Haagen Dazs organic (and fair traded) coffee and teas, Roger DiBrito of Missoula Montana, came up with a trio harbinger of a greener, bike/ped friendly Step aside, Darth. complemented with fruit smoothies, and downtown? Steven Beumer hopes so. practical, if not fashionable, way to keep his glasses fog free and moisture off organic cookies. FBA encourages you to find out more his face mask while pedaling to a bike/ped meeting in wintery Missoula. Dessert is a Haagen Dazs ice cream shop about the 44 East Central concept at “I just cannot bring myself to drive to a meeting that is held to promote (shoppe?), with ice cream said to be all natu- www.downtowneats.com. cycling,” says Roger. Good for cycling through flooded roads, too. ral — a more than 50-year tradition. City of Orlando officials to join in Bike Bed, Breakfast & to Work Day activities by Lyndy Moore Bike Florida During Bike to Work The tag artwork was by Dale V. Lally, Jr. Week, Orlando Mayor created by Jeffrey Buddy Dyer, members Beegle of Image Enable of the Orlando Police (www.image- This informative guide describes several dozen wonder- Department bike patrol enable.com) who won ful inns or B&Bs, with at least two rides originating from and the city’s Bike the Share the Road each inn or nearby. Advisory Committee license plate redesign will ride to City Hall contest a few years ago. Accommodations are described down to the smallest fueled by excitement We’re hoping that nuance; rides are illustrated by handy maps and and free Starbucks coffee and local bike commuters will wear detailed cue sheets. Bed, Breakfast & Bike Florida snacks. their shirts when they commute features one circular route and five interconnected cross-Florida routes covering Friday, May 16 is the des- to work so that motorists and areas from Pensacola in the panhandle to Key West in the southeastern part of ignated date and promoters cyclists will all remember the state. are encouraging all local the message: Same Roads “Touring by B&B” is a great way to see more of Florida. bicyclists to brush off their Same Rights Same Rules. bikes, pump up their tires, The League of American An avid cyclist, Dale was a longtime member of the Broward County Bicycle grab their helmets and join Bicyclists (www.bike- Advisory Committee and was an FBA advisory board member. He passed away in in on the four-mile ride. league.org) annually pro- mid-2004 while attending the Tour de France. Orange Cycle and Bike motes May as National Bed, Breakfast & Bike Florida Works bicycle shops teamed up Bicycle Month including Bike to get T-shirts for the event. The to Work Week, Bike to Work Day, by Dale V. Lally Jr. shirts will carry the familiar “Share the Bicycle Friendly Communities ISBN: 0-933855-24-9 Road” design and will make it obvious that (Orlando is one) and a Bicycle Education 208 pages, paperbound, $16.95 people really do bicycle to work. program. Order from www.anacus.com/bb.html or Amazon.com The shirts will have the logo showing For Bike to Work Day details, check the Orlando’s Bicycle Friendly Community des- websites of City of Orlando, Bike Works Do you have a favorite B&B or inn you’ve encountered on a bicycle trip? ignation and a Share the Road license plate and Orange Cycle and other local shops for Send us the details (or point us to a Web site) and we’ll feature it in the Messenger. proclaiming “BK2WK.” details in early May. Spring 2008 11

Selected State-wide Contacts Here’s whom to call about your bicycle/pedestrian/transportation concerns. We ran out of room, so many contacts are not included. Go to www.floridabicycle.org/statecontacts.htm for the complete list.

AGENCY/functional responsibility NAME TELEPHONE E-MAIL Other FDOT (continued from below) FDOT Central Office FDOT Dist 1 Safety Prgm Manager State Ped & Bicycle Coordinator Dennis Scott 850.245.1527 [email protected] Gary Amig, 863.519.2507 State SRTS Coordinator Pat Pieratte 850.245.1529 [email protected] [email protected] Asst. Ped & Bicycle Coordinator Dwight Kingsbury 850.245.1520 [email protected] FDOT Dist 2 Safety Engineer District 1 Holly Walker, 904.360.5629 Gary Amig 863.519.2666 [email protected] [email protected] Sarita Taylor 863.519.2216 [email protected] Charlotte County MPO Gary Harrell 941.639.4676 [email protected] FDOT Dist 3 Safety Prgm Manager Collier County Community Development/eview Russ Muller 239.403.2462 [email protected] 850.415.9534 Collier County Transportation/pathways project Trinity Caudill-Scott 239.417.6027 Lee County MPO Julia B. Davis 239.338.2550x219 [email protected] FDOT Dist 4 Safety Prgm Manager Lee County DOT Victoria Griffin 239.479.8580 [email protected] Gilbert Soles, 954.777.4358 Lee County Health Dept/bike-ped safety education Position eliminated [email protected] Polk County TPO Ryan Kordek 863.534.6558 [email protected] Sarasota County Public Works Trans. Planning 941.861.0931 FDOT Dist 4 PD&E Mgmt Engineer Beatriz Caicedo-Maddison, 954.777.4336 District 2 Randy Warden 904.360.5631 [email protected] [email protected] City of Gainesville Trans. Srvcs/Bike-Ped Prog Assist Dekova Batey 352.334.5074 [email protected] First Coast MPO Elizabeth DeJesus 904.306.7505 [email protected] FDOT Dist 5 Safety Engineer Duval County Health Dept/Injury Prevention Stephen McCloskey 904.630.3300x2308 [email protected] Anthony Nosse, 386.943.5334 [email protected] District 3 Mary Anne Koos 850.415.9547 [email protected] Panhandle MPOs (West Fla RPC) Mike Ziegler 800.226.8910x215 [email protected] FDOT Dist 6 Safety Engineer Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency (MPO) Peter Koeppel 850.891.8090 [email protected] Maria Vilches-Landa, 305.470.5722 [email protected] District 4 Larry Hymowitz 954.777.4663 [email protected] Jeff Weidner 954.777.4670 [email protected] FDOT Dist 7 Safety Prgm Engineer Daphne Spanos 954.777.4483 daphne.spanos @dot.state.fl.us Peter Hsu, 813.975.6251 City of Boca Raton Mun Srvcs Eng/trans analyst Joy Puerta 561.416.3410 [email protected] [email protected] City of Boca Raton PD/traffic safety educ Lori Wheeler 561.620.6056 [email protected] Broward County UrbanPlann & FDOT Elder Road User Prgm Rdvlpmnt/Special Projects & Bicycle Coordinator Mark Horowitz 954.357.6641 [email protected] Gail Holley, 850.410.5414 City of Delray Beach Parking Mgmt Scott Aronson 561.243.7286 [email protected] [email protected] City of Fort Lauderdale Planning & Zoning Dept/bicycle-pedestrian coordinator Adrienne Ehle 954.828.5798 [email protected] FHWA Fla Div Safety Engineer Martin County MPO Felix Castrodad 772.419.4081 fcastrod @martin.fl.us Hussein Sharifpour, 850.942.9650x3024 Palm Beach County MPO Bret Baronak 561.684.4163 [email protected] [email protected]

District 5 Joan Carter 386.943.5335 [email protected] Community Traffic Safety Program District Brevard County Transportation/Bike-Ped-Trails Coordinators Prgm Coordinator Barbara Meyer 321.690.6890 [email protected] Brevard County Transportation/traffic safety education Kim Smith 321.690.6890 [email protected] FDOT Dist 1 CTST Coordinator Lake-Sumter MPO Michael Woods 352.315.0170 [email protected] Debra Stallings, 863.519.2347 Ocala-Marion County MPO Jeff Shrum 352.629.8529 [email protected] [email protected] City of Orlando Transportation Planning/bicycle-pedestrian-transit Malisa McCreedy 407.246.3347 [email protected] FDOT Dist 2 CTST Coordinator Metroplan Orlando (MPO) Mighk Wilson 407.481.5672x318 [email protected] Andrea Atran, 904.360.5416 Seminole County Trails & Greenways Cindy Matheny 407.665.2095 [email protected] [email protected] Volusia County MPO Stephan Harris 386.226.0422x34 [email protected] FDOT Dist 3 CTST Coordinator-East District 6 Ken Jeffries 305.470.6736 [email protected] Quinton Williams, 850.415.9426 City of Key West Parks & [email protected] Rec/bicycle-pedestrian coordinator Jim Malcolm 305.293.6495 [email protected] City of Miami Beach/bicycle program coordinator Christine Leduc 305.673.7080x6768 [email protected] FDOT Dist 3 CTST Coordinator-West Miami-Dade County MPO David Henderson 305.375.1647 [email protected] Barbara Lee, 850.415.9231 Monroe County Planning Jose Papa 305.289.2514 [email protected] [email protected]

District 7 Michelle Greene 813.975.6411 [email protected] FDOT Dist 4 CTST Coordinator City of Clearwater/bicycle-pedestrian coordinator Felicia Leonard 727.562.4852 [email protected] Carmen Pullins, 954.777.4092 Citrus County Sheriff’s Office/traffic safety educ Kristen Reinhard 352.726.4488 x307 [email protected] [email protected] Hernando County MPO Steve Diez 352.754.4057 [email protected] Hillsborough County MPO Gena Torres 813.273.3774x357 [email protected] FDOT Dist 5 CTST Coordinator Hillsborough County Parks&Rec Charner Reese 813.276.8388 [email protected] Barry Wall, 904.943.5324 Hillsborough County Public Works/bicycle- [email protected] pedestrian coordinator Deborah Carreno 813.307.1852 [email protected] Hillsborough County Public Works/Manager, Bicycle, FDOT Dist 6 CTST Coordinator Pedestrian & School Safety Prgms Gary Tait 813.307.1871 [email protected] 305.470.5346 Pasco County MPO Doug Uden 727.847.8140x8230 [email protected] City of Pinellas Park Planning Ron Hull 727.541.0704 [email protected] FDOT Dist 7 CTST Coordinator Pinellas County MPO Brian Smith 727.464.8200 [email protected] Jeanette Rouse, 813.975.6256 City of St. Petersburg Transportation & [email protected] Parking/bicycle-pedestrian coordinator Cheryl Stacks 727.892.5328 [email protected] City of Tampa Public Works Jan Washington 813.274.8303 [email protected] Other organizations City of Tampa/Parks & Rec Dept/Greenways & Trails Coordinator Mary Helen Duke 813.231.1332 [email protected] Bike Florida Linda Crider, 352.392.8192 Program coordinators under FDOT contract [email protected] Fla Traffic&Bicycle Safety Educ Prgm/director Linda Crider 352.392.8192 [email protected] FTBSEP assistant Yukari Takata 352.392.8192 [email protected] Rails-to-Trails Florida Office Fla School Crossing Guard Training Prgm/administrator Providance Nagy 850.245.1757 [email protected] Ken Bryan, 850.942.2379 FSCGTP Assistant Carol Dunn 386.943.5601 [email protected] [email protected]

Other FDOT, state & federal agency staff Fla. SAFE KIDS/state coordinator FDEP Ofc of Greenways & Trails Jim Wood 850.245.2052 [email protected] Ralph Salvas, 850.245.4440x2774 FDOE Student Transportation/Director Charlie Hood 850.245.9924 [email protected] [email protected] FDOT ADA Coordinator Dean Perkins 850.414.4359 [email protected] FDOT CO Policy Planning David Blodgett 850.414.4815 [email protected] FDOT CO Policy Planning Melanie Weaver Carr 850.414.4817 [email protected] Florida Tech Transfer (T2) Center/co-directors Janet Degner, Nina Barker 352.392.2371x227 [email protected] FDOT CO Roadway Design Vacant FDOT CO Systems Planning Martin Guttenplan 850.414.4906 [email protected] FDOT CO Transit Planning Amy Datz 850.414.4239 [email protected] 12 Florida Bicycle Association Messenger

National Bicycle Summit a Success 4th annual Pro Bike® Pro Walk Florida conference issues ‘Call for Papers’ by Miriam S. Gallet, North Florida Bicycle Club General Director

From March 4 through 7, more than 500 Representatives Chief Administrative Officer Conference theme: “Making Your WORD document titled “2008 PBPWF, bicyclists and industry leaders from 47 states Dan Beard (Nancy Pelosi’s Chief of Staff), Community Healthy, Safe and Green” [Last Name, First Name].” visited Washington, D.C. to attend the 2008 received the strongest and loudest round of If you submit more than one, vary the name to indicate the topic. The conference National Bicycle Summit. applause and cheers when he announced the Methods to improve community planning, protecting public health, safety and the website will be updated with information as Hosted by the League of American creation of a bike sharing program at three environment will be the focus of our con- it is received. different locations within Capitol Hill. Bicyclists, the annual summit’s objective is ference this year. Are you interested in being a sponsor and to gain support from elected officials on The three bike stations, similar to those in The conference is for anyone who wants having a booth at the conference? Capitol Hill. Paris, will enable congressional members to make their community healthier, safer, Opportunity levels and provisions are on the After devoting four days to learning about and their staff to use a fleet of bicycles to better functioning and more alive with peo- website for your viewing. If you don’t see a advocacy and how to lobby congress, hun- get around the Hill and other parts of the ple. Tell us your ideas that promote this package that works for your office or your dreds of cyclists made city. theme. budget, send us a proposal and we’ll work their voices heard amid At the end of the If you would like to be a presenter at the with your office on an appropriate opportu- nity for you to be involved. an intense election year summit, determination conference, please send us your ideas as a CALL FOR PAPERS response. consumed by fears of a prevailed over skepti- Now, more than ever, Session ideas should provide the follow- Host Hotel: Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront cism. We left Capitol failing economy, a we need every elected ing information: Agenda in brief: housing crisis and the Hill more committed October 20, Monday wars in Afghanistan official to become a and determined than Name Pre-Conference workshops and Iraq. strong supporter of ever to push the bicy- Title/position October 21, Tuesday I was one of them bicycling. We need them cling agenda at the Agency (if applicable) FBA Annual Meeting and Awards and I’ve returned to to publicly acknowledge national, state and city Phone Number Presentation, Plenary Session, Keynote Jacksonville extremely levels. E-mail Address Speaker (ideas for this person?) our right to co-exist 3 concurrent sessions all afternoon, rides invigorated and encour- And my biggest Session topic Outline of what you propose to cover and walks in the evening aged. (A very special alongside motorists. fear was not realized. The topic significance to the conference October 22, Wednesday I did not crash my THANK YOU to the Other presenters you suggest to comple- 3 concurrent sessions all day; rides and NFBC Board of bicycle on the streets ment your topic walks in the morning and evening Directors and the two of D.C. Date submitted October 23, Thursday other sponsors that made it possible for me Instead, the concluding 15-mile summit 3 concurrent sessions in the morning to be a part of this outstanding event.) ride around Capitol Hill and surrounding Please include the above information in a On arriving in D.C. on the 4th, I wasted neighborhoods in 37° weather was an eye- no time in getting to know League of opener. American Bicyclists president Andy Clarke This year is crucial for cycling. The next and the rest of his team along with numerous national transportation bill will be voted on other officials from various bicycling organi- next year and the issues affecting bicyclists Bicycle-friendly B&Bs zations, delegates from other states and must be included in the bill before it CEOs from some of the largest bicycle com- becomes law. The Cedar Key Bed & panies in the U.S. Now, more than ever, we need every Breakfast offers six During the four-day event, we networked elected official to become a strong supporter rooms in the main house among ourselves and then headed to Capitol of bicycling. We need them to publicly and a “Honeymoon Hill where we established strong alliances acknowledge our right to co-exist alongside Cottage” for newlyweds with congressional members and staffers. motorists. or those who would like Jacksonville Congresswoman Corrine The strength of cyclists in America will to just pretend. For a Brown (D-FL), personally welcomed FBA depend on our commitment to advocacy. romantic and private get- executive director Laura Hallam and me and Positive change will only be possible by away, there’s the listened attentively as we explained the our commitment to the sport and our contin- “Treehouse Suite,” with a issues affecting bicyclists in Jacksonville. uous presence on the streets of Jacksonville private balcony, full We urged her to join the Congressional and surrounding counties. kitchen and other ameni- Bike Caucus and support several resolutions. It will sway seemingly daunting obstacles ties nestled up to a 400 The mere fact that we were able to meet inside and outside city hall. year-old Live Oak tree. and present our agenda to House and Senate Furthermore, our obedience of all traffic They also have a Cedar Key B&B members from 50 states should be recog- laws is paramount to our success and our “Sunrise Suite” a mile away on nized as a big success. ability to earn the respect of all citizens. the Gulf. Do you have a favorite B&B or inn In some instances, the elected officials www.cedarkeybandb.com you’ve encountered on a bicycle decided to immediately support our cause. Others representing Florida at the Summit: trip? Send us the details (or point This was the case with Senators John Kerry David Henderson, FBA president; Miami- Rates: Rooms: $99–$160/night* us to a Website) and we’ll report (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Dade Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Honeymoon Cottage: $130-$155 on it in the Messenger. The highlight of the summit was the intro- Laura Hallam, FBA executive director Tree House: $170–$190 duction of a historic resolution (H.R. 305) by Mary Jane Mark, Mack's Cycle & Fitness Sunrise Suite: $210–$225 Congressmen Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co- Rachel Losada, Mary Jane's daughter, high Bill and Alice Phillips, Innkeepers sponsored by Congressman James Oberstar school senior, soon to be University of Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast Miami freshman (D-MN), calling on all members of Congress 810 3rd St Alan Snel, SouthWest Florida Bicycle to support the creation of a national bicy- Cedar Key, FL 32625 United Dealers (SWFBUD) cling strategy. Phone: 352-543-9000 Gary Mendenhall, J&B Importers Also, the newly introduced Complete E-mail: [email protected] Streets Act of 2008 by Senator Tom Harkin Ken Bryan, Rails to Trails Conservancy, (D-IA) gave all attendees a reason for cele- Florida Field Office; FBA Advisory Board bration. Dan Stephens, Osceola County Board of *Don’t take our word for it. Always check with the innkeepers for the latest rates, County Commissioners Parks Division (had Tree House Suite Numerous workshops enlightened and details and availability. speakers entertained us, but House of to leave before our day on Capitol Hill) Spring 2008 13 Upcoming Bicycle Touring Events in Florida 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. Ask your friends. Data are from a calendar maintained by Roger Pierce. To add an event to his (and our) calendar, e-mail to [email protected]. See complete calendar, including many out-of-state rides we don’t have room to print here, and all the hype we edited out at www.floridabicycle.org/fbtc/.

May Beach/Highway 100 exit (30 minutes side! Contact Kimberly Lewis for regis- classic single day tour of the season! The north of Daytona Beach), then go West tration, sponsorship or volunteer oppor- Gulf Coast Cycling Classic shows out of May 2-4 White Springs on highway 100, approximately one mile tunities at 888-DIABETES, x3061, 904- towners the part of Florida called the Spring Pedal and Paddle Festival to Chamber on left. Leastokes@pre- 730-7200, x3061 or best beaches in the U.S. by USAToday, Enjoy beautiful spring weather at the ferredmanagementservices [email protected]. Tour de Cure® is AAA and various other travel organiza- Suwannee Bicycle Association’s, Spring .net www.Flaglerbeachrotary.org/ proud to feature our participating local tions. Choose from 35, 65 and 100 mile Pedal and Paddle Festival, May 2 – 4, at bike shops: About Bicycles, American rides. Come and see for yourself as you Stephen Foster State Park, White May 4 (Sun) Venice Bicycle Company, Bicycles Etc., Bike ride up a bridge high enough to overlook Springs, Florida. Activities include bicy- Sharky's 6th Ride the Beaches Fitters, City Cycles, Champion Cycling, the beautiful Gulf of Mexico a blue, blue cling, paddling and hiking. Miles of sce- Supporting: LIVESTRONG Lance Lakeshore Schwinn, Open Road and the bay dotted with sails. The 65 and 100 nic country roads offer road riders differ- Armstrong Foundation. Route options Trek Store of Jacksonville. 2008's mini- mile riders reach the most southern point ent options daily. Mountain bikers have are 65, 35, and 15 miles. Ride along our mum fundraising contribution is $150 on the peninsula before heading North. over 75 miles of easy to challenging off beaches and intercoastal waterway. Ride (which does not include your registration After the 65 mile riders are dropped off road trails. Free Beginners Mountain includes beach side breakfast and BBQ fee). at their post ride lunch, the 100 milers Bike class. Kayak or canoe the pristine lunch at Sharky's on the Pier, T-shirt, Email: [email protected] keep on moving North on alternate 19. Suwannee River or enjoy paddling the waterbottle, and SAG stops. Registration http://tour.diabetes.org/ There the ride moves along narrow crystal clear Ichetucknee River. Hike a and breakfast start at 7:00am. 65 & 35 canals, over tiny bridges into the Greek short section of the Florida trail during mile rides start at 8:00 15 mile at June settlement of Tarpon Springs. the Eco Photo Hike with Edwin 9:00am. Cost $25.00, pre register or June 1 (Sun) Dunedin Fees: $ 35. Until February 25. $ 40 Until McCook, Suwannee River Water $30.00 day of event. To guarantee t-shirt The Gulf Coast Cycling Classic (8th edi- March 30. $ 45 Until April 25.. $ 50., Management District. Family friendly post mark by 4/24/08 or in person at tion) LAST RIDE OF THE SEASON! thereafter and on day of ride. Flanagan's activities make up fun-filled weekend Sharky's by 4/28/08. All profit to benifit All rides start and end at Flanagan's 465 727-736-4994 Energy Conservatory: along the banks of the Suwannee River. Lance Armstrong foundation. Sharly's is Main Street downtown Dunedin. 727-736-4432. Camping and meals provided; children at 1600 S. Harbor Dr. Venice Fl. Mail to Distance: 35/65/100 mls. Century starts Email: [email protected] under 6 are free and under 12 half price. Sharky's on the Pier, PO Box 267, at 7:30 AM all other rides start at 8 AM. Active.com Online Registration For more details, pricing and reserva- Venice Fl 34285 Telephone 941-488- The ride: For the 8th year friends will tions, visit our web site. Contact Kim 1456. come together to ride the last classic sin- June 7-14 (Oxford to St. Simons, GA) 904-797-7290. Email: woodbike@bell- Email: [email protected] gle day tour of the season! The Gulf Bicycle Ride Across Georgia south.net www.sharkysonthepier.com/ Coast Cycling Classic shows out of Now that Spring is just around the cor- www.suwanneebike.org/ towners the part of Florida called the ner, start training to join 1,600 other Active.com Online Registration May 17 (Sat) Gainesville best beaches in the U.S. by USAToday, cyclists as they ride across the state of A Ride To Remember AAA and various other travel organiza- Georgia. The confirmed route for BRAG May 3-4 Miami Choose a ride length of your choice on tions. Choose from 35, 65 and 100 mile 2008 is to begin in Oxford, with Zimmerman MS Bike Ride Presented the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, or a rides. Come and see for yourself as you overnight visits to Griffin, Macon, by Wachovia road ride into the Ocala horse farm terri- ride up a bridge high enough to overlook Dublin (layover day), Hazlehurst, Jesup, Florida's largest organized bike ride. tory of 50/75/100 miles. Support trained the beautiful Gulf of Mexico a blue, blue and ending on St. Simons Island. Over 2,500 cyclists will "Breakaway to at the legendary Horse Farm Hundred. bay dotted with sails. The 65 and 100 Download a registration form at Key Largo" from the Bank United http://gccfla.org/rtr/ mile riders reach the most southern point http://www.brag.org/Files/BRAG2008Re Center at University of Miami to the on the peninsula before heading North. gistrationForm.pdf. You may also regis- MetroPCS Village at John Pennekamp May 30-June 1 San Antonio After the 65 mile riders are dropped off ter on Active.com. If you do not have Coral Reef State Park. This premier Cure on Wheels at their post ride lunch, the 100 milers internet access, call 770-498-5153. cycling experience will bring riders, vol- 1st annual bicycle ride to raise money keep on moving North on alternate 19. Registration forms will not be mailed unteers, friends and families together for for research at the Moffitt Cancer Center. There the ride moves along narrow out. If you would like to add an item a weekend of cycling, fun and excite- The event starts on Friday May 30th canals, over tiny bridges into the Greek (buses, jersey, t-shirts, etc.) to your cur- ment all for the fight against MS! with check-in at St. Leo University settlement of Tarpon Springs. The bou- rent BRAG 2008 registration, please National MS Society, 3201 West (SLU), located west of Dade City (north tiques, the colorful streets, the harbor download a registration form from the Commercial Boulevard, Suite 127, Fort of Tampa Bay area). Dinner, an inspira- and the authentic Greek scenery, unfor- website. Simply write your name, Lauderdale, FL 33309. tional program with speakers and video gettable! Return over the Pinellas Trail address, and the word "PRE-REGIS- Email: [email protected] and accommodations are included on the to a great post ride lunch at Flanagan's TERED" on the form. Check the items www.msbikeflorida.org/ SLU campus. Riders leave on Saturday and wash it down with a well deserved you want to add, enclose a check, and Active.com Online Registration from SLU on either a 65 or 105 mile ice cold brew. Life is real good on June mail to BRAG, P.O. Box 871111, Stone ride and return to SLU. Two-day riders 1 at the Gulf Coast Cycling Classic. Mountain, GA 30087. We will match it May 4 (Sun) Flagler Beach are able to stay on campus for the night Amenities: Great power breakfast, to your original registration. The Fifth Annual Rotary Scenic Highway and do a 60 mile loop on Sunday. bagels, muffins, cereal, fruit, bottomless overnight sites are eagerly preparing for Tour Portions of the ride will include the coffee pots, and more. Fully stocked our visit. In Oxford you can enjoy live Formerly: Rotary A1A Ocean Shore Withlacoochee and Suncoast trails along support stations, fruits, power drinks, music in downtown Covington, BRAG Scenic Highway Bicycle Ride. New with some of the most scenic roadways spring water. Goodie bag. Stay for the will host a karaoke night in Macon, Name, New Routes, Same Great in the Tampa Bay area. Ride is fully sup- Great Lunch, FREE BEER and the leg- Moonbase will take place in Dublin, Support. Make it a Bike-Beach weekend. ported with waterstops every 20 miles, a endary raffle of great products. T-shirts: Hazlehurst will host the Talent Show Free 40 mile ride, nighttime entertain- lunch stop, sag wagons, mechanical and The legendary 2008 multi color com- along with live music downtown from ment and $3 Spaghetti Dinner Saturday medical help. Registration is $125 until memorative T-shirt available FREE for 7:00pm - 10:00pm, and the Second the 3rd (see website below). Sunday’s March 1st ($150 thereafter) and includes riders registering before May 20 while Chance Band will play at the high school ride options are 27, 40, 62 and 100 up to two nights at SLU, food, entertain- supplies last. Remaining T's will be in Jesup. miles. The NEW routes take you through ment and a bike shirt. Riders must com- available $ 12. The ride: For the 8th year the quaint coastal village of Flagler mit to raise $1,000 to participate in the friends will come together to ride the last Beach, along the beautiful A1A Scenic event. [email protected] or call Highway and include the famous Bill Riddle for more information: 813- “Ormond Loop”. We have 5 designated 350-7900. This is Florida’s only ride to scenic highways in our area and you’ll raise money for cancer and we hope be on sections of each one of them. The you’ll join us for this fun and inspiring ride start will be at the Flagler County weekend. Chamber of Commerce, which is direct- Email: [email protected] ly across the highway from Flagler Palm www.cureonwheels.org/ Coast High School. This event has drawn over 300 bicycle riders in each of May 31-June 1 Jacksonville the past four years. Registration will Tour De Cure begin at 6:00 a.m. with a mass start at A national, signature cycling fundraising 8:00 a.m. Registration is $25. Those reg- event for the American Diabetes istering in advance will receive a free Association, perfect for both avid and ride t-shirt. Limited shirts will be avail- recreational cyclists, with a different able day of event for $10. There will be route each day. Downtown Jacksonville coffee and bagels at the ride start and to St. Augustine Beach, Florida and plenty of goodies at the sag stops along back. Tour de Cure Jacksonville is in its the route. See our Website: 4th year and growing! Jacksonville's www.Flaglerbeachrotary.org for details Tour features a two-day, 200K with a and application form or call (386) 439- different route each day and, in 2008, 0134. Mail applications to the Rotary we've added a Challenge Century (100- Club of Flagler Beach at P.O. Box 2005, mile route) on Saturday May 31st only, Flagler Beach, Fla. 32136. Directions to which will take you through some of ride start: take I-95 to the Flagler North Florida's most beautiful country- 14 Florida Bicycle Association Messenger

S12D to the High Sierra by Dwight Kingsbury

In many cases, S12D rides may be more returned to the road to begin the steep climb whose occupants reached them by water practical than S24O trips, yet still afford of hairpin turns that leads to Inspiration taxi. many of the same rewards. Point above Emerald Bay. Above Upper Echo Lake, the trail entered Grant Peterson, the founder of Rivendell For a panting flatlander, it seemed there the Desolation Wilderness. A ranger work- bush trying to find where I had hidden my Bicycle Works, has promoted sub-24-hour was just barely enough of the thin mountain ing on the trail suggested that, with only my bike. overnight cycling trips (that’s the S24O. air. On a ridge crest traversed by the two- two sub-liter water bottles, I might find it In theory, the return trip on US 50 should Similarly S12D is sub-12-hour day.) as the lane roadway, the ground fell away sharply best to turn round at Tamarack Lake, to have been easy, because it was a steep easiest way to do bike camping: from the pavement on either side. which a small troop of monstrously large descent; it would have been easy to do 40+ “You leave on your bike in the late after- Motorists passed; bicycle warning signs grumbling backpacks with short legs was mph. noon or evening,” says Grant, “ride to your provided a measure of psychological sup- also heading (Scouts, it turned out). Alarmingly, the front wheel of my bike campsite in a few hours, camp, sleep and port. It was already past noon. The sun beat began visibly wobbling. I scrubbed off ride home the next morning. At Inspiration Point, motor tourists were down. A few minutes later, I overtook a cou- speed, pulled into the first turnout that “It’s that simple, and that’s the beauty of speaking in a babble of tongues. Everyone ple who encouraged me to make a go for the appeared, turned the bike over and trued the it.” surveyed the darkening blue expanse of the glacially scoured granite bowl of Lake wheel. When I started down the road again, Grant says that because it takes almost no lake in the twilight. Aloha, set in a cirque of high Sierra peaks. the front brake cable was now so loose (with planning and very little time commitment, The castle of Vikingsholm, built in 1929, I stayed on the main trail, resisting temp- the wheel trued), the handle had to be it’s easy to fit in to your schedule. commanded the bay from the beach below. tations to take side trails that advertised var- squeezed nearly to the handlebar to develop In the past four years Peterson has been With the sun hanging low over the Sierra ious small lakes. any brake action. When another turnout on more than 50 of these impromptu rides. peaks, it was time to rocket back down the The PCT switchbacked up to a saddle and appeared, I pulled off to make more adjust- “The ideal destinations,” he says, “are highway to South Lake Tahoe, feathering the threaded the tarns of an alpine meadow. ments. regional parks and open spaces, ideally those brakes at appropriate points. Clark's nutcrackers flitted in the lodgepole The sun was dropping toward the horizon. that allow overnight camping.” (see Saturday morning I rode up the Pioneer pines. With the bike finally in order, I spun down http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_camp- Trail to Meyers, a one-time Pony Express By 2 p.m. I reached the glacial theatre of quickly to Meyers and returned to the lake- ing/camping_vs_touring). stop, and turned onto US 50. Lake Aloha. The limpid blue waters danced side motel strip in South Lake Tahoe. These would be the ideal conditions Near Johnson Pass an unsigned one-lane in the winds that swept down from The next day, Sunday, about six hours because it’s not ideal to camp in regional forest road split off steeply up the slope on Mosquito Pass. Once or twice, I was nearly after I had left town, a wildfire broke out on parks or open spaces that don’t allow my right. The topographical map I had pur- blown off the rocks into the water. Angora Ridge between Meyers and South overnight camping and have to worry about chased suggested this might be the road to I stayed about 20 minutes, then turned Lake Tahoe. getting busted (stressful, in my experience). Echo Lakes. around and retraced my steps. Back in the It ultimately burned over 3,100 acres and Peterson recommends using a car if nec- Switchbacks led to the chalet of the woods of Johnson Pass a little before 6 p.m., destroyed 275 buildings. essary to escape the city and start riding California Alpine Club, where directions to I spent a couple minutes beating around the closer to desirable camping destinations. the Echo Lake Chalet were posted. Losing By skipping the camping element entirely, my way in a maze of private roads lined though, and making a sub-12-hour day trip with cabins, I noticed a Pacific Crest Trail of it instead of an overnight, one can travel marker on the roadside. Ode to the Man Dressed in White lighter, go farther, skip the car leg, and see I stopped and hauled my bike into the some great sights. bush, locked it to a snag behind a boulder, In June 2007, after a professional meeting changed into hiking boots and began climb- ended in Stateline, Nevada, I checked out of ing the trail. the conference hotel and dragged my lug- I scrambled through woods and meadows This is adapted from a friend’s mother-in-law who is in her 80s. She was afraid of this bicycle gage a mile down the highway to a road and over a ridge to discover...a mountain man for years. motel on the California end of Lake Tahoe switchback parking area worthy of a small It is about a man of a half century or so years who left behind a frantic, rushing world and Boulevard. strip mall. retreated to a little hut in the Minnesota woods. He does odd jobs. I checked in, set up my folding bicycle This was the Echo Lake Chalet complex. (Bike Friday New World Tourist), rode to Postal station, general store with selection of — Robert Seidler the west side of South Lake Tahoe and fine wines and sandwich shop, water taxi turned onto California 89, which runs along service, news boxes where one could pur- Here’s to the man all dressed in white Oft times, if he knows you, he'll stop for a the west side of Lake Tahoe. chase the day’s editions of the San Francisco Who is, on his bicycle, an interesting sight chat At the El Dorado National Forest Visitors Chronicle and The New York Times. He’s a quiet man who lives a simple life His knowledge intriguing of this and of that Center I toured the stations of the “Meet the The PCT tracked about 100 feet above the Away from all of the stress and strife You won’t hear him brag but he does like to Jeffrey Pine” nature trail (life cycles in the northern shore of Lower Echo Lake. Much share forest, stop and listen for birds, etc.), then of the shoreline was lined with cabins, His two-wheeled bike is his best friend The facts that he knows, and tales of his cares Sometimes he rides daybreak to day’s end Some people say he just might be strange He does little jobs for menial pay It's doubtful, though, he'll ever change That bring in enough to get through each day He talks to the spirit, keeps an ear to the It matters not what people think wind He ignores the fact of not being in sync They shed from him memories buried within His lifestyle is not akin to these times His white clothes rarely show any grime If we just once could walk in his shoes We might well form some other views Even his hair and beard are white No right have we to judge this man For him it just seems fitting and right Who, like us, God made to live on this land His cross worn around his neck each day Shows faith that no harm will come his way So, if you chance meet this man in white Remember, he’s someone of peace and of light FBA board treasurer Steve In our world some will think he’s odd Don't judge him for the path he’s taking Diez assisted with helmet His house may be built of poles or sod He’s just part of a big diverse world in the fitting at a bike rodeo held He lives amongst trees and birds that fly making during the Tampa Bay Savoring the moments money can't buy Gasparilla Festival. Spring 2008 15

Bicycle Bob... (Re)discover bicycling NO EXIT © ANDY SINGER by Bob Dioguardi

The negative attitude of some of the citizens You may influence only a couple of peo- of Lake Wales illustrates why the slogan ple with your efforts, but that will be a cou- “Discover Bicycling” is so appropriate. ple more safe bicyclists than we had before. I am urging our people to discover the You will accomplish nothing by waiting pleasures and advantages in bicycling. It for some costly educational program. It is should be a new and strange adventure and up to you, as an individual. Besides, the all of the nuances of this new adventure results are much more rewarding when on a must be explored anew. smaller scale. Most of you learned to ride a bicycle, I may be self-satisfied with my move- somewhat safely, as a child. Traffic was so ment down here, but I have been lucky. I much less dense in those days and a bicy- had the advantage of getting into bicycling clist didn’t need to have too many bicycle- with the association of Dan Burden (and his handling skills in order to survive in traffic. wife Lys), Linda Crider, Herb Hiller, Mary Bicycling gave you a unique independ- Ann Koos, and Dennis Scott. ence and mobility as a child. More times I also took part in John Forester’s initial than not, you had to wait for an adult to “Effective Cycling” course (now called transport you in a vehicle. Your bicycle Road 1). So I had a jump-start on being gave you freedom. indoctrinated in bicycle safety. But things have changed! Do liability fears prevent more of you The bicycle still provides the freedom, from instructing those less fortunate in the but you need to relearn how to ride a bicy- skills of bicycling? cle safely. This should be a spurious worry. Any I detect a collective waiting for some instruction you dispense would be passive; I massive program to descend from on high, don’t believe that you intend to take groups cost millions, and miraculously solve our of learners out on to the streets unless you bicycle accident rate. are trained to do that. Even in the rosiest of budget times, we I recently was asked by a member of a can not anticipate such a happening. Polk County School Board group to give a No, what we need are many individual short presentation. It would be strictly a efforts from experienced cyclists like you. classroom session to eight to ten people. I These efforts don’t have to involve large have some materials from FBA and the groups of people. The most effective way to sheriff'’s office that would enable me to accomplish this is by nibbling at the edges give a short informal class, so I agreed. Planned Giving to FBA of the problem. Simple. Libraries, churches, schools, scout troops, It is actions such as this that we must use and service and civic groups provide excel- to get the bicycle safety message out. Did you know you can make a gift to FBA in cash, publicly traded securities, real lent forums. estate and tangible personal property? You also can provide for future generations A little thought and you can design Bob Dioguardi is bicycle-pedestrian coordi- of bicyclists through proper estate planning. posters or charts exhorting or demonstrating nator for Lake Wales and surrounding area. Instructions for making gifts of securities are now online. Go to the FBA Web site, safe bicycle operation and helmet fitting. You can read more about Bicycle Bob in our www.floridabicycle.org for more details. Maybe FBA or the local sheriff's department Winter 2008 issue (Vol. 11 No. 1). Bicycle could supply the materials for some simple Bob’s Johnny Appleseed techniques are Planned Giving provides a method to provide assets for a bicycle-friendly future program. growing FBA’s membership, including the from your will or estate. You can provide for FBA in your will or as a beneficiary of a You don’t necessarily have to be an LCI City of Lake Wales and members of the city life insurance policy, or consider other gifts that may also provide you with current (League Cycling Instructor), but you should commission. income. take advantage of your own vast bicycling If you have an interest in supporting FBA programs for current and future genera- experience. tions in this manner, FBA’s executive director will be glad to discuss details of this option with you at your convenience.

Name: E-mail: Add your voice Address: for the future City: County: State: Zip: of bicycling Tel (H) (W) in Florida. Bike Club Affiliation(s): Member Category: ❑ $15/student/living lightly ❑ $25/individual ❑ $35/household ❑ $100/club/corporate/agency Ride Preferences: ❑ On-road ❑ Off-road ❑ Touring ❑ Racing ❑ Commuting I have taken a Road I (formerly Effective Cycling) class ❑ Ye s ❑ No; Approximate year taken: JOIN FBA I have taken a Road II class ❑ Ye s ❑ No; Approximate year taken: I am a League cycling Instructor (LCI) ❑ Ye s ❑ No May we contact you about volunteer opportunities? ❑ Ye s ❑ No TODAY List any special skills or interests: ❑ ❑ Charge my Visa MasterCard Please make checks payable and mail to: Membership includes Card No: Expires: Florida Bicycle Association, Inc. the FBA Messenger! Signature: P.O. Box 718, Waldo, FL 32694 Spring 2008 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Florida Bicycle Association Messenger PAID Mid-FL FL P.O. Box 718 Waldo, FL 32694 Permit # 475

The mission of the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) is to inspire and support people and communities to enjoy greater freedom and well being through bicy- cling. The Florida Bicycle Association was incorporated in 1997 for educational and charitable purposes. FBA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations, including membership dues, are tax deductible. A copy of the current financial statements may be obtained by contacting FBA, P.O. Box 718, Waldo, FL 32694. To join FBA complete the form below and send with your dues. The Florida Bicycle Association Messenger is published quarterly as a serv- ice to members and advocates for a bicycle-friendly Florida by the Florida Bicycle Association, P.O. Box 718, Waldo, FL 32694. www.floridabicycle.org; e-mail:[email protected]; Phone: 352-468-3430. Membership in FBA includes a subscription to the Messenger. The Messenger accepts and welcomes your advertising! Please see the Website for rates and specifications or e-mail [email protected]. Publishers reserve the right to review advertising content and to reject advertis- ing that, in the opinion of the Association, is neither in the best interest of FBA’s members nor its goals and objectives. Although we carefully review articles and information submitted, FBA is not responsible for the information or opinions contained herein unless explicitly stated as official policy of FBA.

© 2008 Florida Bicycle Association All rights reserved.

I'm sorry Mr. Smith, that's an impressive bicycling mileage figure, but the standard mileage deduction is for motorized vehicles only.

While we can't make all your tax dreams come true, we can offer you quality tax and financial accounting services with the confidence and solid reputation that comes from over 30 years of quality service to the Central Florida business community. We're proud to support FBA and its mission to promote good health and well-being in our communities through bicycling. Scearce, Satcher & Jung, P.A. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

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