Vol. 17, No. 1 Winter 2014 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION, INC.

Aaron Cohen tragedy a catalyst for bill to strengthen hit-and-run laws

t was close to 6 a.m. Their friend who was going to tination), Aaron and Enda chatted meet them for the ride called them a about the latest in their lives and on the morning after few minutes later to tell them that about their kids. Valentine’s Day. Aaron he had gotten a flat tire on his bike Just a few minutes later—BOOM! en route to the meeting point, so he —a loud crash… both cyclists were Cohen and Enda told them to go on and ride without strewn across the road by a motor Walsh met up on him. vehicle whose driver quickly sped their bikes on the way But being the type of person that away. Aaron was, he insisted that he and What would ensue over the next to do their usual Enda turn around and ride to their 24 hours was a tragedy in every Wednesday morning friend’s location to help him fix his sense of the word. flat. Enda had survived the crash with training ride before By the time they’d reached him, a fractured leg and injured shoulder, work. his wife was already on her way to but Aaron was critically injured and get him, so Aaron and Enda then never regained consciousness. turned back around to head toward Friends and family members Key Biscayne for their training ride. poured into the waiting room at The delay—a result of Aaron’s self- Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder lessness—would ultimately place Trauma Center in the hope of hear- Aaron and Enda in the wrong place ing good news regarding the fate of at the wrong time. their dear friend. Riding side-by-side in the gener- They soon learned what they had ously wide bike lane afforded to all feared: that Aaron Cohen, a Aaron Cohen died as a result of a February 15, cyclists on Key Biscayne (one reason 2012, hit-and-run on Key Biscayne. why it is such a popular des- Please see Bill, page 6

Trail finds Armstrong; Armstrong finds locally resourceful development by Herb Hiller PAID

Mid-FL, FL Permit #475 Permit U.S. Postage U.S. ven before the first 20 NONPROFIT ORG NONPROFIT touring cyclists discov- ered Armstrong in south- west St. Johns County, another 800 were getting organized to visit and 150 more were making plans. The community of Armstrong, along the Palatka-St. Augustine State Trail, is ready to show that trail-based develop- ment that’s already successful in urban Florida—think Dunedin along the Pinellas Trail and Winter Garden along the West Orange Trail—will work equally well for rural Florida.

P.O. Box 916715, Longwood, FL 32791 P.O. Cyclists chow down on breakfast with locals at the Armstrong Baptist Church.

Please see Armstrong, page 9 ADVOCATING A BICYCLE-FRIENDLY FLORIDA 2 Florida Bicycle Association

Defective equipment can pose a danger to riders by Christopher Burns, Esq. Bicycle Accident Attorney Chris Burns, 233 East Bay Street – 8th Floor, Jacksonville, Fl 32202 (ph 904-632-2424; floridacyclinglaw.com)

hile we often focus of o Handlebars or bike stem lining up the threads of the pedal spindle tured or because they were unsafely the dangers of collisions These components are installed either and crank arm, the pedal can suddenly assembled. with vehicles, cyclists too loosely, or over-tightened so that detach. In my experience as an attorney, I face other potentially they break. o Improperly tightened wheel skewers believe it is becoming more prevalent for grave dangers as well to be dangerously assembled. o Seat post raised too high One of the most common dangers of that are less well known. bicycle parts arises from the quick release This may likely be caused by HOW new From my own experience as a lawyer, The seat post is installed so that there is bicycles are being sold – or WHO is sell- inadequate minimum depth of the post skewers that are supposed to hold the another substantial risk with bicycling is wheels onto the front fork or rear drop ing them. equipment failure. inserted into the frame. This can cause There were about 4,100 specialty bicy- the seat post to fall out of the bike frame. outs of the bicycle. If the quick release There are many different ways in skewers are too loose, the wheels of the cle retail stores in business in 2012 in the which a bicycle may be improperly o Stem raised too high bicycle can actually fall off the bicycle. U.S. These stores now sell only about assembled or defectively manufactured, If there is inadequate stem quill inserted This can lead to tragic consequences, 15% of new bikes. They have been and cause the bicycle rider to crash. They into the bike frame, the stem and handle- including the cyclist being ejected over replaced and overcome and squeezed out include: bars can separate from the bike frame. the handlebars and suffering a serious of their markets in many communities by mass merchants, including but not limit- o head injury. Improperly attached pedals ed to Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, and the o If the pedal is attached without properly Defective bicycle frames and forks huge sporting goods chains, which It is common for high-end bike frames to include Academy Sports, Dick’s Sporting be constructed of carbon fiber due to Goods, and many others. The sellers of their substantially lighter weight and bicycles often have virtually no employee increased stiffness. with any real expertise in bicycles. As an While this is generally a strong materi- attorney, I am very concerned that as al when utilized properly, there have sales have become dominated by mass been numerous instances of catastrophic merchants, the quality of bicycle assem- carbon fiber failures to either the bike bly is often compromised. In fact, some frame or fork, which has caused severe of these “big box” stores don’t even injuries to cyclists. assemble the bikes themselves. They hire One of the biggest problems with car- independent contractors to build their bon fiber failures is their unpredictabili- bikes. The purchaser of such a bike will ty, and frequently the lack of any tell-tale never had the opportunity to ask the per- warning signs. son who built his/her bike about it. The cycling victim may have carefully inspected his bike frame and fork often Lawsuits against mass merchants to check for cracks or signs of damage. o In 2011, a cyclist bought a Huffy bicy- But such outward signs often don’t exist. cle from Target less than one week before The defective carbon fiber bicycle his crash. The bicycle rider was injured frame or component can only be when the fender on his bicycle rubbed observed once it has broken or Have You been injured failed. By that wHile cYcling? time, the cyclist may have suf- ( i have. That’s why i’ll fight fered a serious so hard for you.) injury. Typical carbon Chris Burns is not your typical personal injury fiber problems attorney. As an avid rider, he combines his o The carbon fiber in the bike Two examples of carbon fiber fractures: a experience on the road with his expertise frame or fork has front fork (left) and handlebar stem and insight in the courtroom. This unique “air pockets” (above). perspective provides cyclists across Florida underneath the surface of the material, against the front tire, in turn causing the and they are not seen until after the frac- with the representation they deserve. front wheel to collapse suddenly. The ture of the part. fender could have been assembled so it Your race for compensation begins here. o The carbon fiber suffers serious inter- had more clearance from the front tire. nal injury after a crash, but the cyclist o In 2007, Toys“R”Us was sued for faulty continues to use it because there is no assembly of a bicycle and for breach of obvious damage. warranty. After the victim cyclist had o The carbon fiber is improperly used ridden the bicycle he purchased from 904- 632- 2424 during the bicycle frame manufacturing Toys”R”Us for only 20 miles, the right process (mostly in China and other parts pedal snapped off and the cyclist crashed of the Orient). It is laid down in a sub- and was injured. The bicycle rider’s standard method. attorneys presented evidence that the pedal had been “cross-threaded,” causing Defective assembly from mass the pedal to fly off the crank arm. The merchants jury found for the bicycle rider. Bicycles can fail either because the parts of the bike were improperly manufac- Please see Equipment, page 12 Winter 2014 3

Thanks to Our Donors! 4th Q 2013: City names denote board and program staff member distribution. Is your area represented? Contact a board member today! Lifetime members Advocating a Jacksonville Mighk and Carol Wilson Orange Park Mr. & Mrs. H. Middleton Raynal bicycle-friendly Florida James Nash Gainesville Duke Breitenbach P.O. Box 916715, Longwood, FL 32791-6715 Waldo Kimberly Cooper Dr. Joe Warren DeLand William R. Hough Orlando Earle and Laura Reynolds Board of Directors Executive Director Jodi Hohlstein, President Tim Bustos 3838 Cardinal Oaks Circle 336 N Woodland Blvd. Orange Park, FL 32065 Deland, FL 32720 Paceline Leaders ($1,000+) Phone: 904-282-2180 Phone: 850-238-5328 Port Charlotte Polk County Sports Marketing [email protected] [email protected] Chapters Ft Myers Earl Lang, Vice President 1700 Tamiami Trail, E-5 Program/Membership Titanium partners ($500 - $999) First Coast Chapter Director Port Charlotte, FL 33948 Director North Florida Bicycle Club Phone: 941-258-3400 Dan Moser Stephen Tocknell, Director [email protected] 1449 Linhart Ave. Jacksonville Ft. Myers, FL 33901 Phone: 904-638-6629 Jeff Hohlstein, Secretary Golden Gears ($250 - $499) Phone/Fax: [email protected] 3838 Cardinal Oaks Circle 239-334-6417 www.fbafirstcoast.org Orange Park, FL 32065 Infinity Bike Shop David Henderson [email protected] Phone: 904-282-2180 Orange Cycle Works [email protected] Operations Manager Mighk Wilson, Treasurer Laura Hallam 737 S. Mills Ave. 20420 NE 132nd Ave. Silver Spokes ($100 - $249) Orlando, FL 32801 Waldo FL 32694 Phone: 407-488-9990 Phone: 407-399-9961 Capital City Cyclists Chris Lundberg [email protected] [email protected] Nina Zeitel Jim’s Bicycle Shop Christopher G. Burns, Esq. Coastal Cruisers Terrell Hogan Membership 233 East Bay Street - 8th floor E-mail: [email protected] Jacksonville, FL 32202 Bronze Pedals ($50 - $99) Phone: 904-632-2424 Advisory Board [email protected] Ed & Sharon Hannon Lilie Stuart Becky Afonso Herb Hiller, Journalist Louis Rossi Ken Gooderham Diana Steele Ron Cunningham [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Bruce LaMere James Shirk 2111 NW 20th Street Gainesville, FL 32605 Michelle Avola Reese Hope Howland-Cook Tina Russo [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Phone: 352-262-5798 Welcome New/Rejoining Members! [email protected] Don Braverman Dwight Kingsbury, Historian Robert Seidler, Filmmaker Aldridge, Allan Irby, Thom John Egberts [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Alvarez, Thais Jaramillo, Gustavo PO Box 118208 Keri Caffrey, Webmaster Henry N. Lawrence, III, Special John Sinibaldi, Jr Aquirre, Marita Jaross, C & JJ Gainesville, FL 32611 [email protected] Programs [email protected] Phone: 352-294-1685 [email protected] Blume, Margaret Jon, Gelman [email protected] Dan Connaughton, Director, Lisa Walker, Public Affairs Cahoon, Rick Kingrey, Matthew Florida Traffic & Bicycle Safety Laura Minns [email protected] Cammack, Jim Lacey, Jr., Benjamin Ted Wendler Education Program [email protected] Randall Williams, Newsletter Capellini, Albert Lanz, Vicente 716 Ohio Ave. [email protected] DeLand, FL 32724 Roger Pierce, Touring Calendar [email protected] Chaney, Charles Laue, Christopher Steve Diez [email protected] Phone: 386-235-0057 Chaney, Steven Laye, Jon [email protected] [email protected] Carol Pulley Childs, Michael Logan, Mary David Henderson [email protected] Danzi, Barbara Lundberg, Chris [email protected] de Leo, Justin Moore, Phil Deci, Marguerite & Olander, William Paul O’Malley, George Join FBA Visit FBA’s Website Messenger Deadlines Fishman, Seth Phillips, Terrence Fogg, Peter Rodriguez, Lilliam Join FBA online at www.floridabicycle.org Copy and Advertising Deadlines: Frederick, Stephanie Sadowski, Michael Summer Messenger - May 15 Gelman, Jon Sechio, Lori www.fbamembership.org Log in to the FBA Blog Fall Messenger - August 15 Glover, Gordon Skadowski, Suzanne Individual $25 Stay up-to-date on bicycle issues Winter Messenger - November 15 Glozman, Zeev Stambaugh, Jim Family $35 with this statewide forum. Spring Messenger - February 15 Goldberg, Ira Tobey, Chuck Guerrero, Marlene Torres, Anthony Student/living lightly $15 FBA's Blog is on the website Inquiries and submissions: Hannon, Sharon Tripp, Jonathan Bicycle Club $100 www.floridabicycle.org tim@floridabicycle org Hartman, Dee Ulman, Ronald Corporate/Agency $100 Hatcher, Nancy Zeitel, Nina Higher donations are greatly appre- Helft, Michael North Florida Bicycle Membership Categories: Howe, Nick Club ciated! See membership categories Humphrey, Michelle at right. Paceline Leaders ($1,000+) Titanium Partners ($500-$999) Pay conveniently online or make Golden Gears ($250-$499) check payable and mail to: Silver Spokes ($100-$249) Florida Bicycle Association, Inc. P.O. Box 916715 Bronze Pedals ($50-$99) Longwood, FL 32791-6715 Membership includes a subscription to the FBA Messenger. 4 Florida Bicycle Association

President’s message... You’re the best advertisement we have Jodi Hohlstein i fellow FBA members! I hope we can continue to promote Member support—that’s you—is the The first thing I would CyclingSavvy through FBA and continue greatest advertisement FBA has. You are like to say is “thank you” to educate cyclists and motor vehicle our face and we are your voice. to Mighk Wilson, outgo- drivers about the rules of the road, and Help us, the board, be a stronger voice ing FBA President, for his make the roads safer for all of us. in Tallahassee to get things done to make leadership and guidance over the many We have many challenges facing FBA cycling safer and more enjoyable for all! years he has been giving his time and in the upcoming year, and your board Be safe! Be Seen! Be Relevant! RIDE efforts to the cycling community and has called a special strategic planning BIG! FBA. meeting to prioritize and address these issues for the coming year. Mighk has done a spectacular job for The mission of the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) is to inspire and support people and FBA, and we all owe him a huge round of We feel certain we can address these communities to enjoy greater freedom and well-being through bicycling. applause, and our gratitude for all he has challenges and make FBA stronger and a The Florida Bicycle Association was incorporated in 1997 for educational and charitable accomplished, as well as all he continues more viable advocate for cycling/pedes- purposes. FBA is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the to do for cycling in Florida and the safety trian activity in Florida. Internal Revenue Code. Donations, including membership dues, are tax deductible. A copy What I would like to ask of you is to of the current financial statements may be obtained by contacting FBA, P.O. Box 916715, standards in the US. Longwood, FL 32791. Mighk will continue to serve FBA as a remember that we all are representatives To become a member supporter of FBA, join online at www.fbamembership.org. board member, and we will still be privy of the cycling community. We all have a The Florida Bicycle Association Messenger is published quarterly as a service to mem- to his expertise. Thank you, Mighk, for responsibility to ride according to the bers and advocates for a bicycle-friendly Florida by the your continued efforts on behalf of law, and we all deserve respect when rid- ing according to the law. Florida Bicycle Association, P.O. Box 916715, Longwood, FL 32791. Florida’s cyclists and pedestrians. www.floridabicycle.org; e-mail: [email protected];­ Phone: 850-238-5238 I’m not a commuter cyclist. I am a rec- Additionally, I am requesting that you, reational cyclist and enjoy riding the as a cycling ambassador, help us recruit Membership in FBA includes a subscription to the FBA Messenger. roads and seeing the sights. new members for FBA, so we can grow The FBA Messenger accepts and welcomes your advertising! Please see the Website for I am a CyclingSavvy instructor and I our association numbers. rates and specifications or e-mail [email protected]. Publishers reserve the right to Increasing our membership base is review advertising content and to reject advertising that, in the opinion of the Association, is practice what we teach. My bicycle is my neither in the best interest of FBA’s members nor its goals and objectives. Although we vehicle when I am on it, and I ride critical for us to have a more effective carefully review articles and information submitted, FBA is not responsible for the informa- according to Florida law. I love riding my influence in Tallahassee on the laws and tion or opinions contained herein unless explicitly stated as official policy of FBA. bike with the friends I meet through the amendments that affect our rights on the cycling community. roads. © 2013 Florida Bicycle Association All rights reserved.

Traffic enforcement and driving cyclist, and their experience with State’s on non-motorist victims by indicating behavior go hand-in-hand Attorney Offices declining to prosecute they were crossing mid-block, and there- when it’s less than an open-and-shut case fore violated the motorist’s right-of-way. by Dan Moser, Program Director against the motorist. A prime example of the latter is the Crosswalk definition: e don’t anticipate the collisions at all costs are not applied. “(a) That part of a roadway at an inter- driver being charged” Below are three such laws that make that killing of a cyclist on the Sanibel Island Causeway a few years ago. section included within the connections of is an all too common clear. the lateral lines of the sidewalks* on oppo- “ statement made by “Any person operating a vehicle upon The driver/killer was over-medicated on pain-killers and sleep medication site sides of the highway, measured from law enforcement officials after the initial the streets or highways within the state the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from crash investigation that involves a pedes- shall drive the same in a careful and when she drove across the center-line and hit the cyclist who was riding in the the traversable roadway” or “(b) Any por- trian or cyclist, frequently made to prudent manner, having regard for the tion of a roadway at an intersection or media while they’re still on the scene. width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, bridge shoulder. Even though the investigating enforce- elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestri- For vulnerable road users, having such and all other attendant circumstances, an crossing by lines or other markings on decisions made in haste has further so as not to endanger the life, limb, or ment agency asked for vehicular homi- cide charges be filed (after taking over a the surface.” (Fla. Stat. § 316.003(6)) entrenched the motorist mindset that property of any person.” (Fla. Stat. § *My note: an actual sidewalk need not be the high level of responsibility and due 316.1925) year to make that decision), the State Attorney’s Office declined because the present; the sidewalk refers to any space care required by law is merely a sugges- “Speed shall be controlled as may be within the right-of-way between the tion that will be dismissed if there were drugs were not illegal. necessary to avoid colliding with any To add insult to injury, the killer was roadway travel lane(s) and private prop- no other egregious actions being under- person…regardless of posted speed” (Fla. erty. taken by the driver at the time of impact. later arrested for doctor shopping and Stat. § 316.185) found to be taking many more times the FBA is actively engaged in efforts to Distractions, by the way, don’t meet the educate law enforcement officials so jus- “egregious” standard. “...exercise due care to avoid colliding prescribed amount of the multiple medi- with any pedestrian or human-powered cations she had been hooked on for tice will be served, and motorists will Laws favor motorist vehicle and give warning when neces- years, including when she killed the understand the consequences of ignoring Considering that fault in all crashes sary and exercise proper precaution cyclist. laws intended to protect vulnerable road between vulnerable road users and upon observing any child or any obvi- Another universally overlooked law is users. motor vehicles is generally at a 50-50 ously confused or incapacitated person.” the requirement of drivers to yield to Getting to prosecutors and judges is rate of blame, it’s hard to understand— (Fla. Stat. § 316.130) pedestrians in unmarked crosswalks. something we also understand is neces- and for law enforcement and prosecut- Most motorists and law enforcement sary for things to improve. As members, Based on my experience when follow- ing attorneys to justify—that the rate in officers understand the rules of a marked you can help by writing letters to the edi- ing up with a number of fatalities and cases resulting in fatalities is skewed crosswalk (drivers are required to stop, tor and contacting your law enforcement serious injury crashes involving non- almost totally towards the non-motorist not just yield there), but neither the agencies and State’s Attorney Offices to motorists in Southwest Florida, I’ve being found at fault. motoring public nor most enforcement voice your opinion about the inequities found the reluctance of law enforcement Bottom line: if the vulnerable road officials know the law at unmarked inter- that have created the kind of roadway to follow the laws on the books to be a user victim made any mistake the multi- sections (see below). environment that leads to so many combination of identifying with fellow ple laws that require the operators of That being the case, many post-crash unnecessary deaths and injuries. motorists more than the pedestrian or motor vehicles to anticipate and avoid investigations erroneously put the blame I hope you will be part of our effort. Winter 2014 5

Executive Director’s corner... Annual meeting produced new officers, signaled new challenges Tim Bustos t’s been a busy time for the Florida We work with the law enforcement In this case, the cyclist hired an attor- Bicycle Association since I last community and produce such publica- ney, and he asked for help from three penned this column in the fall. tions as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Law expert witnesses: Mighk Wilson, former New board members, new officers Enforcement Guide. FBA has also devel- FBA president; Keri Caffrey, co-founder and a flurry of activity among staff oped a world class bicycle education pro- of CyclingSavvy; and myself. alty (that we know of), for writing a bad over the last few months are all com- gram, “CyclingSavvy,” that has empow- At first, the judge appeared to be reluc- ticket, and for taking up a lot of people’s ing together once again to continue the ered countless cyclists throughout tant to certify us as “expert witnesses,” time (including the court’s). work of a great organization. Florida to ride confidently under all con- because he didn’t even know there was Meanwhile, the defendant had to hire Many of these activities are addressed ditions. such a thing when it came to cycling, but an attorney— at no small expense, and in more detail elsewhere in this issue of And one of our more important efforts after lengthy testimony, we all were, in four people had to take time from their the FBA Messenger so I’ll just touch on is to work with the legislature to improve fact, certified (it should be pointed out busy schedule to spend half a day in them lightly, but they all help to illustrate laws that will help protect cyclists (or in with some humility that among the three court. that membership does matter. some cases, help to eliminate really bad of us were nearly 60 years of experience This is wrong, and as others have stated Without the financial support of our laws—such as working with previously, “cyclists are the only roadway members, much of what we do wouldn’t the mandatory bicycle pro- users that have to defend their right to be possible and, in a nutshell, what we’re bike lane law). grams at the As you all know, this is ride safely and defensively.” really trying to do is simply to make all However, what local, state and FBA will continue to defend these cases of Florida safer for bicycling. many of our the best time of year national level). whenever possible, and we will continue Whether you’re a serious “roadie,” a members may Without going to ride a bike in Florida, with our efforts to make sure the law mountain biker, or a casual cyclist out be unaware of into too much enforcement community does a better for a recreational ride, we’re here to serve are the many so get out there and ride. detail, the cyclist job of training their officers. you, so thank you for your support. times we have to was going to be Be careful out there, but In some communities, it’s already hap- undertake spe- charged for not ooo remember: it’s supposed pening. FBA works with many law cific tasks that riding in a bike enforcement agencies throughout the We held FBA’s annual meeting, and require our to be fun! lane, until it was state that do get it, and for that we are quarterly board meeting in DeLand on attention. pointed out to grateful. We just have a long way to go. Saturday, November 23; It was a very There have the officer that it On the bright side, the Florida productive day. been at least two situations that have wasn’t a bike lane, rather, a narrow, Department of Transportation and other Among other activities, we elected a come up over the last couple of weeks debris filled paved shoulder (there are state agencies realize that many of the fine slate of new officers for 2014: Jodi that have required a lot of time and profound operational and legal differenc- laws currently regulating traffic are Hohlstein, President; Earl Lang, Vice- attention on the part of staff, situations es between “bike lanes” and “paved archaic and vague. As a result, we will be President; Jeff Hohlstein, Secretary; and, that have, at times, been confrontational, shoulders”). The officer then tried to cite working with FDOT in the months and Mighk Wilson, our outgoing president, but in both cases, FBA has prevailed! the cyclist for not riding “far to the right” years to come to help clean up the lan- will now be the Treasurer. And, because we have prevailed, many of (which many officers erroneously inter- guage so that everyone understands the All these individuals have many years our members will benefit. pret as “riding as far to the right as possi- law’s intent. This is a good place to start. of cycling under their belt, and they’ve In the first case, FBA frequently gets ble”). For a more detailed account of the spe- all been active on the FBA Board of calls and complaints from our members However, Florida statutes clearly state cific incident detailed above, with an Directors or Advisory Board for many when they feel they are being harassed by (Fla. Stat. § 316.2065(5)) that a cyclist excellent narrative and graphics, please years, so we look forward to another police, or when they wrongfully get a has the legal right to “take the lane” if it see: http://commuteorlando.com/word very productive year. ticket—simply for riding their bicycles in is physically impossible for a bicyclist press/2013/11/19/a-law-like-no-other/ As a side note, since Jeff Hohlstein a safe and lawful manner. and a motor vehicle to share the lane at stepped down as director for FBA’s First As I’ve been told by many senior law the same time. In this case, it was in a ooo Coast Chapter to join the FBA board, he enforcement officers that I’ve worked section of road with three lanes going Another situation we were asked to will be replaced by Stephen Tocknell, the with over the years, the problem is that each way, with 12 foot lanes. Now, con- assist with concerned a trail project that former advocacy director for the First most police officers don’t get as much sidering a bicycle requires a 3 – 4 ft. will be a vital link in the statewide trails Coast Chapter. Stephen has been very training in traffic as most people think, “footprint,” and motorists are required to network. effective as the advocacy director, so and if they do, they get little or no train- pass with a minimum of three feet, that In this particular situation, the trail had we’ll look forward to working with him ing at all on bicycle and pedestrian laws. only leaves approximately 5 – 6 feet of been planned for many years, funding in his new role. This oversight, coupled with what operational space, which for most cars had been obligated, but some local resi- And, speaking of being productive, one appears to be an overt bias toward motor these days is not physically possible. dents wanted to compromise the trail of the things the board decided at this vehicles—and against cyclists—leads to And, on this particular section of road- design such that it would be dangerously meeting was to have a strategic planning many cyclists getting ticketed when, in way, there are significant numbers of close to a state road, and/or they wanted session in early 2014. This effort will be fact, they’ve broken no laws. buses and large trucks, which makes it to seriously reduce the trail width (also very timely since we have a new execu- This is one reason the State of Florida very dangerous to share a lane. In this dangerous), while other residents wanted tive board, and several new board mem- contracted with FBA to develop training case, as the officer began to realize she to stop the project all together. bers. Expect more great things from FBA materials for police officers who will be didn’t have much of a case, she kept try- I was asked to provide testimony at a in 2014. going through the police academy, and ing to change her story—and the charge. public meeting where a major vote was ooo for officers already in the field (e.g. “roll But, again, FBA eventually prevailed. to be taken. I talked about the very posi- call” training). Unfortunately, most In giving his final ruling, the judge We try to do as much as we can to tive economic impact this trail would cyclists assume the police are “experts” in stated that he may not feel comfortable improve conditions for cyclists through- have on local communities, and I bicycle laws, so they don’t even think in taking the lane himself, but he had no out Florida—including appropriate, well stressed the safety considerations for they can fight the ticket. choice but to side with the defendant. placed infrastructure such as bike lanes potential trail users—and why it would However, we recently worked with a He ruled that the cyclist “had every and separated bike paths. But there is be dangerous to compromise the design. case where a cyclist was ticketed for safe- right to do so,” and the ticket was much more to our mission than just pro- Others spoke of similar concerns and ly and legally riding in the roadway. dropped, moting well designed and appropriately although we were seriously outnumbered Fortunately, he knew this was a bad tick- Although this was a victory for the placed infrastructure. by extremely vocal residents, we pre- et, and he had the time and resources to defendant—and for FBA—the sad part is vailed again, and the local elected offi- fight it, so he enlisted FBA’s assistance. that the police officer was given no pen- cials voted to proceed with the trail. 6 Florida Bicycle Association

Bill needs citizen support to become law continued from page 1

36-year-old devoted father of two little What ensued over the next 6+ hours Cyclists and road safety advocates in their Change.org petition that has children aged one and three at the time, was an excruciating courtroom saga. South Florida were horrified by the lack already amassed over 5,000 signatures). would not make it out of this incident It was discovered that Traverso was of justice. Many felt that Judge Thomas’s They were able to recruit Florida State alive and the person who caused his driving with a suspended license and was sentence rewarded Traverso’s cowardly Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R) as death was still in hiding. on probation for cocaine charges at the decision to flee the scene, hide his dam- the Senate sponsor, with Senator Rene Eventually, the driver was found to be time of the incident. aged vehicle and wait 18 hours to turn Garcia (R) as a co-sponsor, and Florida 25-year-old Key Biscayne resident By immediately fleeing the scene and himself in to the police while Aaron’s life House Representative Bryan Nelson (R) Michele Traverso, who surrendered him- waiting so long to turn himself in, he hung in the balance. as the House sponsor, with Rep. Irv self more than 18 hours later with his escaped potential DUI manslaughter The paltry sentence handed down by Slosberg (D) as a co-sponsor. attorney, preventing the timely blood Judge Thomas served as a catalyst for alcohol test needed to prove whether he real grassroots-driven change. Bill would increase penalties was driving under the influence (DUI). Traverso fled the The following week, a group of con- The bill, which was filed in August by Sen. Diaz de la Portilla and in September By his own admission, Traverso had scene after running cerned citizens, led by former University been out drinking at bars the night of Miami neuroscientist, Dr. Mickey by Rep. Nelson, is known as the “Aaron before and had just begun his drive over two cyclists with Witte, came together to form an unoffi- Cohen Life Protection Act” (SB 102/HB home when he crashed into the two his car... killing one of cial ad-hoc “think tank” committee to 183 flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2014/0102). cyclists that fateful February morning. determine what they could do to prevent The overarching goal of this initiative Instead of calling 911 or attempting to them... and was such an gross lack of justice from occur- to change the current law is to motivate render aid to the two men he had just essentially given a ring again. drivers who are involved in a crash to STAY at the scene and possibly SAVE A crashed into, he left them to bleed in the “slap on the wrist.” street, while he sped home and covered Law favors DUI runaways LIFE. his extremely banged up car and shat- After examining the facts of this case and Florida law already requires drivers tered windshield under a tarp. charges and pled guilty to charges of: (1) the sentencing guidelines, the group involved in a crash to remain at the Fast-forward 11 months to January 17, leaving the scene of an accident involving learned that an unintended consequence scene, provide their name and driver’s 2013, a Wednesday afternoon, where death, (2) leaving the scene of an acci- of current Florida Law is that there exists license and render reasonable assistance. every available seat in Miami-Dade dent involving great bodily harm, and (3) an incentive for people to leave the scene The proposed changes will introduce Circuit Judge William Thomas’s court- driving with a suspended license. of an accident. stricter penalties for fleeing the scene as room was taken. Instead of remaining at the scene to well as introduce a component that The courtroom was packed with Outrage at the sentence render aid or calling 911 (and potentially heightens the penalty when a victim is a friends and family of Aaron Cohen, Judge Thomas could have sentenced saving a life), Traverso avoided a mini- “vulnerable road user” such as, among members of the media, representatives Traverso to as many as 35 years in pris- mum mandatory sentence for DUI man- others, a pedestrian, construction worker slaughter by not being around to allow or cyclist. investigators to obtain potentially damn- ing blood alcohol evidence from him. FBA member support needed In the state of Florida, DUI manslaugh- Along with many other state-wide and ter carries with it a mandatory minimum national organizations, FBA needs your sentence of four years in prison (Fla. Stat. help in petitioning the Florida State House and Senate to enact this legisla- tion that will de-incentivize people from ...an unintended leaving the scene of a crash. The projected long-term outcomes of consequence of this legislation will include: decreasing current Florida Law is the number of hit-and-run incidents in that there exists an the state of Florida, creating safer streets in Florida for pedestrians and cyclists, incentive for people the creation and enforcement of “vulner- to leave the scene of able road user” laws, and an organic par- adigm shift from the “us vs. them” (as in, an accident. “driver vs. cyclist”) mentality to one in which we all have equal rights to share § 316.193), but since there was no bio- the roadways. The lobbying efforts by this group of from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, logical evidence of DUI, the State chose on, but instead served him with a paltry to charge him with “leaving the scene of concerned citizens are completely volun- and many people from the cycling com- tary and are not being funded. They will munity who were there to witness the sentence of 364 days in county jail. The an accident” (Fla. Stat. § 316.027), which shock, outrage and disappointment felt presently permits wide latitude to the continue to lobby for the bill until it sentencing of the man who had struck passes, but they need your help. two cyclists and, callously drove away to in the courtroom was palpable. judges for sentencing. Traverso fled the scene after running hide, while two men lay bleeding in the Growing support from legislators How to get involved street. over two cyclists with his car. As a result To learn more about how you can sup- of his actions, Traverso killed one of The group has been able to rally support not only from local officials in Miami- port the Aaron Cohen Road Safety Outpouring of support those cyclists and was essentially given a Initiative, see www.AaronCohenLaw.org. The outpouring of support for Aaron “slap on the wrist.” Dade County (the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners unanimously Please consider taking a few minutes to Cohen’s widow, Patty, was overwhelming. Aaron Cohen’s two young children will e-mail critical legislative committee Even the hallway was packed with peo- have to live the rest of their lives without passed a resolution urging the state’s leg- islature to require harsher penalties for members about the importance of this ple, who had been told by the courtroom ever knowing their father, his wife with- act to the Florida cycling community. deputy that they were not permitted to out her husband, and his killer is already drivers found guilty of leaving the scene of a crash, filed by Commissioner Jose You can easily do this on their website stand when all the seats were filled and out of jail (Traverso was released after under “Make this a Law.” thus would have to leave the courtroom. serving only 264 days under the county’s “Pepe” Diaz, on April 2, 2013), but also credit system). from all across the state (as shown by Winter 2014 7

Share the Road Celebration of Cycling in DeLand... ‘Celebration’ a mix of forums, workshops and rides by Ron Cunningham, Bike Florida Executive Director t was an astounding admission And it’s about economics as well, he coming from a high-ranking offi- continued. Bicycling in the state of cial of the Florida Department of Wisconsin alone is a $924 million annual Transportation. economic generator. After cycling advo- That Billy Hattaway said it signals cates restriped one traffic-dominated a fundamental change of attitudes at commercial street in Memphis—Broad FDOT that bodes well for pedestrians Avenue—to be more bicycle- and pedes- and cyclists in the Sunshine State. trian-hospitable, that downtown business “A big problem has been our almost district saw $12 million in private invest- exclusive focus on moving cars,” ment, 18 new businesses and 29 new Hattaway, FDOT District One Secretary, construction projects, he said. stated in his keynote banquet speech Obtaining Bicycle Friendly Community during the recent inaugural Share the status is not easy, Nesper said. It is a Road Celebration of Cycling weekend. time-consuming and laborious process; Hattaway’s mandate from Tallahassee, one that involves the cooperation of gov- he explained, is nothing less than erasing ernment, law enforcement, educators, Florida’s reputation as one of the deadli- cycling advocates and others. Key to suc- est states in the nation for pedestrians cess, he said, is adherence to the 5 ‘E’s of and cyclists. being a Bicycle Friendly Community: “We need to stop making excuses,” he Engineering, Education, Encouragement, said. “We are going to get Florida off the Enforcement and Evaluation, as well as list of the most dangerous places in the The FBA-Bike Florida sponsored event brought cyclists to DeLand from across the state. Planning. country.” FBA program director Dan Moser stayed busy with, among other things manning the “It’s about taking a ‘complete streets’ Celebration of Cycling, which unfolded Share the Road booth, one of many providing information for visiting cyclists. approach to community planning,” he over the weekend of October 25 through said. “When you build a street, are you 27 in the City of DeLand, was jointly The weekend opened with a League of larly appear prominently in national thinking about all users?” sponsored by the Florida Bicycle American Bicyclists-conducted forum on rankings of the best places in America to At the Celebration of Cycling’s Saturday Association and Bike Florida. It featured how communities can become Bicycle live, work and play. evening banquet, Hattaway said FDOT is a mix of advocacy forums, workshops Friendly...and why they should want to. “It’s about helping people live the good committed to working with local com- and, of course, fun rides in DeLand and Facilitator Bill Nesper pointed out that life,” Nesper said. “It’s about building the cities that have earned LAB-designated places where people love to live.” through the western Volusia County Please see Celebration, page 10 countryside. Bicycle Friendly Community status regu-

West Volusia is a cycler’s paradise with miles of scenic on and off-road trails within a vast playground of parks, rivers, lakes and crystal-clear springs. Stay in affordable accommodations and enjoy the shops, museums, historic sites and trendy cafes of some of the most charming small towns in Florida.

BETWEEN DAYTONA BEACH & ORLANDO 800-749-4350 www.VisitWestVolusia.com/cycle (Download the Volusia Bicycling Map) 8 Florida Bicycle Association

Ask a lawyer... safety by J. Steele Olmstead, Esq.

hile researching this col- cle): an unstable Imperial light- tion of your next turn while you are sit- umn, I discovered this is dangerous savers ting there waiting for the traffic to clear. a first article on machine.” You will do well In defensive driving classes, they teach to appear in the FBA Upright trike to have red rear “Don’t turn your wheels until you begin Messenger. drivers are lights—and I do your turn. The impact from being struck Trikes are becoming more popular aware of mean lights— from the rear could propel you into the because the new ones are pretty cool. G-forces in one to use and opposing traffic lanes.” Check out www.Catrike.com, www.tri- extreme turns one for the one In a trike this is a problem as well. If, denttrikes.com, www.evolvetrikes.com, that can empty that will fail indeed, you are hit from behind and the www.TerraTrike.com (All American the rider into you. initial impact doesn’t damage your rear engineered and manufactured) www. the roadway and Keep both wheel(s) (say a 5 mph impact) and they ICEtrikes.com (British) www.hpvelo- a motorist’s running simul- still roll, if your front wheel(s) are turned technik.com (German) www. path. taneously, even you could roll right into a lane with greenspeed.com.au (Australian). The new during the day. heavy traffic coming at you at higher There are other reasons: my riding recumbents Spend some speeds. buddy who has a ceramic hip replace- solve this insta- money on those Keep your wheels straight at all times, ment (and can’t risk falling on the new bility problem, but present new ones. lights, folks. This is to your advantage to unless you are making the turn. hip), not having to get out of your traps o save your life. Lower to the ground: In a recumbent While you are waiting before you stop (and fall over), no pain trike, you’re lower. While I am preaching constantly holding your neck up to see, Dorks alive! Do not assume those behind you know to the choir when I say “motorists don’t The next, of course, is the flag. I am you are going to turn. Show them. your upper torso weight isn’t born on see you,” imagine sitting 4 inches off the your wrists and hands, you don’t lose sorry you feel you look like a dork. I do On some trikes, signaling may be hard- road—you are below the hood of cars in not care, because you will be an alive er. Many have two-stick control, but you contact with “favorite body parts” from busy traffic. And this magnifies the pre- compression of the perineal nerve and dork. still need to signal your intentions, existing problem with motorists: There’s So get creative—high viz orange and whether stopping or turning (Fla. Stat. § local arteries by the typical hard little no expectation you are there. Even with seat, etc. yellow that flap easily; stripe the pole and 316.155(1)). the best visibility, you are still invisible. put a flashing light on that. Why not put Make sure your hand is visible and it’s There are, however, special consider- The common reaction I see in the cases ations with these machines. For whatev- some truck nuts on your backseat or very obvious what you are indicating. after “What the hell were you doing on axle? Do it Michael Jackson style. Get a spe- er reason you chose to ride, there are a the road?” is “How was I supposed to host of legal/safety/human factors you cial high viz yellow glove for your left know the trike was there?” To protect Flexion/extension injuries hand. must consider: yourself, assume visibility is your job. With a trike, your head is almost directly in line with bumpers, so lots of kinetic And, of course, the nagging, nagging, Pros: o “Wide Load” designation: Both types of energy can occur with an impact. nagging o Center of Gravity: The newer recum- trikes have a wider footprint. Beyond a good helmet, be aware your Finally, about those tickets. From per- bent models have a substantially lower As you know, human powered vehicles neck is supporting your head and that sonal experiences I hear, the police are center of gravity, so they don’t suffer are supposed to stay as close as practica- head weighs between 8-12 pounds. more inclined to give trikes tickets. from an upright trike’s instability. ble to the right side of the road (with Make sure the trike’s support for your It seems the more wheels you have the o exceptions). So for a two-wheeler you’re Great visibility: The normal position head is as close as possible to the back of more you are like a car. So, as I have about 28”-36” wide. on a trike is your head upright. You have your helmet and doesn’t allow much dis- always advised when I give talks to bicy- If a car comes too close to a two-wheel- the full 120 degrees of field of peripheral tance backwards. cle clubs, obey the law. er, it will hit your hip, elbow or handle- vision a human has when . The “if you get struck and your head “Let me know if there’s anything I can bar and knock you to the side. snaps back” can be the mechanism of a help you with.”© Cons: With a trike, that car contact is likely to serious connective tissue injury. Keep o Center of Gravity: If you have the tra- be a left wheel. What happens after that your head straight until you turn. — Attorney J. Steele Olmstead practices ditional upright seat trike, you have a is any one’s guess based on physics and law state-wide from offices in Tampa. higher center of gravity and are unstable. engineering of your steering mechanism. And about those turns One of his specialties is bicycle law and There’s an alarming article in the Be visible at any cost. Anticipating a turn is one of the oldest Journal of Trauma from 1986 (J Trauma. he’ll even come to you...wherever mistakes motorists make. Anticipation is you got broken. 1986 Jul 26(7):643-8) unflatteringly having your wheels turned in the direc- titled: “The three wheeler (adult tricy- Winter 2014 9

Armstrong residents see a future in Palatka-St. Augustine State Trail continued from page 1

“We were ready to make something Florida’s week-long tour would end two happen, even though at first some people hours later. didn’t want anything to do with the trail,” The trail is now part of community life. said Malinda Peeples when Bike Florida In early December Armstrong hosts a brought its first tour for brunch on a Rails-to-Trails Festival, where food and recent Saturday. craft vendors set up and bands play in “But the rail-trail is our future,” she Armstrong Park. The trail has become a said, speaking for the SEA Community car-free fitness course for residents. (Spuds, Elkton, Armstrong) stretched In March, 2014, Bike Florida will come along SR 207 that she chairs. through with its 20th anniversary mass The trail rims farmlands and slices ride; in April, the North Florida Bicycle through forest across Armstrong Road Club plans to have 150 riders come and its namesake hamlet of maybe 300. through town on its Tour De Fort. Henry Flagler populated the place early Cyclists will soon find a paved path in the last century to grow vegetables for into the park. Malinda talks about using his St. Augustine hotel guests. revenues from touring groups for match- Yesteryear’s generations were migrants. ing grants that could provide a welcome Today’s call Armstrong home. center with a café. There’s talk of a small Adults have become educators and grocery store, a community museum, public administrators. Children attend and of getting additional days for the county schools. St. Vincent’s Hospital of clinic. In time, also overnight rooms. Jacksonville staffs a weekly medical clin- For Bike Florida, Armstrong provides a ic. A Baptist Church in the center of visit with an African-American commu- Palatka to St. town also provides a community center. nity that’s part of the congressionally des- It was there that cyclists joined some ignated Gullah Geechee Cultural Augustine State Trail 40 residents for heaping plates of eggs, Heritage Corridor. The East Coast Armstrong Vicinity grits and bacon, potatoes, bagels and Greenway Alliance promotes Armstrong more, washed down with tea and topped as a place of interest along its 3,000-mile by cut fruits and apple pie. route between Maine and Florida. For Family members were down from Freedom Road Productions, Armstrong’s obscured contributions of African — Herb Hiller of DeLand writes Jacksonville for the weekend. One cyclist trail-based development supplies content Americans to Florida history. frequently about ecotourism and rode over from St. Augustine, where Bike for its mission of documenting the often placemaking. BIKE FLORIDA’S 20th Anniversary Tour MARCH • Ride the Daytona Speedway 22-28 • Visit the Oldest City in the US MAGICAL • Celebrate at the Fountain of Youth HISTORY BikeFlorida.org TOUR 7-DAY AND 2-DAY TOURS PALATKA ARE AVAILABLE DAYTONA BEACH Use coupon code FBA2013 ST. AUGUSTINE to receive $10 OFF 10 Florida Bicycle Association

Celebration of Cycling event held in DeLand continued from page 7

the lives of cyclists in Florida. Among the Altogether, about 100 people attended honorees: Celebration of Cycling. The goal of next Leadership Award: State Rep. Irv year’s Share the Road Celebration of Slosberg, for his sponsorship of several Cycling is to greatly increase participa- bills designed to reduce fatalities on the tion while continuing to offer quality highways. advocacy, education and awareness pro- Visionary Award: Mighk Wilson, co- grams...and, of course, fun rides. creator of FBA’s CyclingSavvy education course. Founder’s Award: Leigh Matusick, who has been with Bike Florida since its inception, 20 years ago, and has worked every one of its annual spring tours. Bike Club Award: Capital City Cyclists, for its innovative “Kids on Bikes” program, accepted by club presi- dent Zach Finn. Pioneer Award: Henry Lawrence, who led the citizens’ initiative to obtain legis- lative authorization for the Share the Road license plate. Volunteer Award: Mike Stallings, long- (L. to R.) Henry Lawrence, Leigh Matusick, Mighk Wilson, Mike Stallings, and Zach Finn time route coordinator for Bike Florida. were honored at the Saturday evening banquet with Share the Road awards for their vari- Other programs featured over the ous long-term contributions to bicycling in Florida. Celebration of Cycling weekend included munities to make public streets and “Safety doesn’t happen by accident,” he an introduction to CyclingSavvy; a work- roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. said. shop on basic bicycle maintenance; and a He spoke of new training and road Also at the banquet, FBA and Bike presentation on the Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program. evaluation initiatives, the importance of Florida handed out inaugural Share the Former FBA board member and treasurer, public awareness campaigns, and the Road awards to longtime advocates On Sunday, riders were able to choose between 25, 40 and 65-mile routes. Steve Diez, donned all the gear and joined need to use design techniques to help whose efforts have made a difference in the Sunday rides around DeLand. slow down the movement of traffic.

Central Florida’s Polk County is the “Cycling Capital of Florida.” Explore more than 60 miles of paved multi-use trails and 1,700 miles of pre-mapped road routes. Unlike most of Florida’s flat terrain, Central Florida’s unique topography provides elevation changes of more than 300 feet, so your cycling adventure won’t fall flat! Ready to ignite the fire inside yourself? Scan the QR code now to learn more.

800-828-7655 facebook.com/VisitCentralFlorida twitter.com/VisitCentralFL

CFSM641 FL Bicycle Association 2013 Newsletter ad.indd 1 8/6/13 11:45 AM Winter 2014 11

Do you have a question about the laws related to bicycling? Ask Geo @ FlBikeLaw.org* George Martin

Group stops so you can carry groceries? d asked: I ride with a Elarge group here in cen- I believe that a crate firmly attached tral Fl. We require our lead Ato the rear rack of a bicycle would rider to come as close to a become a part of the bicycle and not sub- complete stop as they can ject to load questions. It would certainly safely. seem safer to carry groceries in such a Does each rider following close to the crate attached to a rack over the rear lead riders also have to stop, or can the wheel than to carry a bag with your hand Get the knowledge and experience to cycle your roadways with confidence. rest of the group proceed through as a on the handlebar. FBA’s cycling education program will show you simple strategies to eliminate group if the intersection is clear? Turn signals obstacles and ride with ease in places you might never have thought possible. What you describe is a common SpecialX asked: Is there a statute Apractice at stop signs, and in many Qthat covers how someone is sup- situations may even make traffic flow posed to signal a turn? Do I have to use more efficient. hand/arm signals or can I purchase an Drivers behind a cycling group may be electronic bicycle signaling “kit”? Or do I slowed in passing through the intersec- have to use signals that are “DOT” tion if each cyclist stops in turn, particu- approved? larly if they are in a line. For that reason Bicyclists must signal when prepar- proceeding as a group is encouraged by ing for a turn or stop, and some- FBA. A times when moving left or right in the A cycling group is not a defined entity roadway. in the statutes and cyclists traveling in a group do not have any special privileges. Fla. Stat. § 316.155 – When Signal Each cyclist is operating a vehicle and Required has the same rights and duties as other (1) No person may turn a vehicle from a Cycling Savvy courses now available in Orlando, drivers. direct course or move right or left upon a DeLand, Jacksonville, Ft. Myers, West Palm Beach, highway unless and until such movement Fla. Stat. § 316.2065 – Bicycle Tallahassee and Tampa Bay areas. Go to the Web site can be made with reasonable safety, and Regulations then only after giving an appropriate sig- to contact an area coordinator near you. (1) Every person propelling a vehicle by nal in the manner hereinafter provided, in has all of the rights and all the event any other vehicle may be affected of the duties applicable to the driver of any by the movement. Some Online Resources other vehicle under this chapter. (2) A signal of intention to turn right or Have you a subscription to the Share the Road Newsletter? It’s filled The wording of the statute about stop left must be given continuously during not with information about bicycling events, people and places (including signs is clear. Every driver shall stop. less than the last 100 feet traveled by the great trail maps for off road cycling). Sign up at www.bikeflorida.org. Fla. Stat. § 316.123 – Vehicle Entering vehicle before turning, except that such a If you are an Adventure Cyclist, check out the adventurecycling.org Stop or Yield Intersection signal by hand or arm need not be given newsletter, Bike Bits. To subscribe, visit: http://www.adventurecycling. (2)(a) …. every driver of a vehicle continuously by a bicyclist if the hand is org/bikebits/subscribe.cfm and read their blog at http://blog.adventurecy- approaching a stop intersection indicated needed in the control or operation of the cling.org by a stop sign shall stop at a clearly bicycle. marked stop line, but if none, before enter- (3) No person may stop or suddenly FBA former board president Mighk Wilson blogs regularly at www. ing the crosswalk on the near side of the decrease the speed of a vehicle without mighkwilson.com. His well-researched, philosophical essays will get you intersection... or, if none, then at the point first giving an appropriate signal in the thinking on a higher plane. nearest the intersecting roadway where the manner provided herein to the driver of driver has a view of approaching traffic.... Don’t forget to check out our Cycling Savvy guru, Keri Caffrey’s favor- any vehicle immediately to the rear, when ...the driver shall yield the right-of-way to ite site, http://cyclingsavvy.org. There you’ll find a pannier-load of stories there is opportunity to give such signal. any vehicle which has entered the intersec- about “empowerment for unlimited travel.” FBA’s own little program is so tion from another highway or which is Turn and stop signals may be made by popular it’s spreading across the country. Have you taken your class yet? approaching so closely on said highway as hand or signal lamps. For information about Florida’s bicycle laws, go to http://.Flbikelaw.org. to constitute an immediate hazard during Fla. Stat. § 316.156 – Signals by Hand Read through the archives, or ask your own burning question. We reprint the time when the driver is moving across and Arm or Signal Lamps some of the questions and answers in the FBA Messenger, but there are or within the intersection. (1) Any stop or turn signal when required many more on the site. herein shall be given either by means of Baggage carriers the hand and arm or by signal lamps …. Can’t get enough of Keri? Go to her Web site/blog at http://CommuteOr- Evia asked: Is it against the law to lando.com. Lots of great information on “Bicycling in the Real World.” have a milk crate attached to bike Q And don’t leave your computer without a visit to (I know it’s another As a part of the Bicycle Law Enforcement Program, a web site exists to provide a place to Central Florida site...sorry) the Orlando Sentinel’s own cycling blog, The ask questions about the laws. This is a continuing series that addresses some of the ques- Chain Gang. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_thechaingang tions and provides updates about FBA’s Bicycle Law Enforcement Program. *DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this column is to inform about bicycling laws. The material pro- Sign up for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy eNewsletter to keep on vided here and through other means is for general informational purposes only and shall in no top of advocacy, trail conversions and more http://support.railstotrails. way constitute or be construed as legal advice by the officers, directors, agents or employees of org/site/PageServer?pagename=rtn_registration. the Florida Bicycle Association. If your experience in a court of law or on the streets differs from that presented, we want to know about it, but George Martin and FBA are not accountable Florida Cycling Magazine, a semi-monthly digital magazine dedicated to for a ruling contrary to our interpretation of Florida Law or other consequences of cycling. You promoting Florida cycling and focusing on racing, can be found at www. should seek legal advice on a particular situation. floridaracingmagazine.com. Sign up for the e-mail. 12 Florida Bicycle Association

Have you ever had Equipment malfunction could a ‘knowing’? continued from page 2 by Earl Lang ruin your day hile riding south Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, o In 2006, an injured cyclist sued Sears. o January 2012 – recall of Specialized in Pennsylvania I South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, The cyclist claimed the bike’s handlebars bicycle forks due to brake attachment Delaware, Mississippi, Arkansas and were loose, resulting in his losing control failing, causing brakes to potentially fall had an epiphany, Oklahoma. of the bike and crashing. into the spokes of the wheel, also posing The interesting thing to me is that after “a coming o In 1999, a cyclist sued Wal-Mart for a fall hazard all those miles and states, the things I another cross-threaded pedal, due to o June 2012 – recall of Salsa forks due to to know” remember most are the people that I negligent assembly. bending which can cause cyclist to lose something more have met: a full-blood American Indian control than a thought with the same last name, Lang, the sec- o In 1977, a cyclist sued Sears when the ond black woman mayor in Mississippi, rear wheel of his new bicycle suddenly o October 2011 – recall of Trek bicycles or a belief. and the many who offered me a place to began shaking and rattling and its loose- due to seat saddle clamp failure posing a pitch my tent, followed by something ness caused him to crash. fall hazard cold to drink, an evening of conversation o In 2006, an REI employee went out for o August 2005 – recall of American and sometimes a wonderful home- a lunch time ride with some of his fellow Classic wheels due to hub failure on rear cooked breakfast. This belief came to me: “If I wanted to go employees on an REI Novara bicycle. wheel To me, being able to climb on my bicy- to California, I could simply turn West The cyclist claimed the bike’s frame sud- cle with my camping and touring equip- In addition to negligent assembly or and I would get there.” denly fractured. The top tube literally ment is empowering. manufacture of bicycles, the sellers of I came to the belief that I had every- broke in half. The cyclist was partially I know that I can do just like a friend I bicycles have been known to fail to pro- thing I needed for the trip and the ability paralyzed for a time, and must walk with met who is now riding around the world. vide an owner’s manual for the bike, or to do it. a cane. The case was settled. I can do it too. attach the warning stickers to the bike I love to tour cross-country solo— It doesn’t take herculean strength, or a Numerous recent recalls of defective that were designed to be installed. alone—depending on no one or on noth- high IQ. It just takes perseverance. bikes by the United States Consumer Should you have a legal question about ing that I cannot personally provide. I A motto that I follow is simple but Product Safety Commission include: your bicycle crash, and whether it could find it “Freedom Making.” applies here. “I will either find a way or I o August 2013 – recall of Giant bicycle have been caused by negligent assembly With this knowledge and my can do will make one.” seat posts due to breaking of your bike, or a defective bike part, attitude, there is nowhere that I cannot On the road alone, that is exactly what please give me a phone call or send me go by bicycle. o August 2013 – recall of Cannondale you do every day. an e-mail as soon as possible. Over the years I have ridden from bikes due to defective brake Find or make a way to go on. The law can protect you. But to protect Florida, my home state, to or through Persevere and you can achieve most o May 2013 – recall of Surly Bike forks your rights you must comply with certain Ohio, Kentucky, New Jersey, Alabama, any goal you set. due to bending which can cause rider to legal time deadlines. lose control

It’s taken me everywhere Mighk Wilson

t age five my first attempt to tances ask me if I’m “still riding my bike” We explored Toronto by bike and by My cycling ori- ride a two-wheeler sans you can imagine how I take that. It’s like transit. We camped in interesting places entation led to my training wheels, with my asking if I’m still eating. on the way there and back. We even choice of where I dad encouraging me on, was No doubt it’s difficult for many to fath- rebuilt a damaged, frozen rear hub on would live. Rather a failure. The training om the extent to which bicycling has one of our bikes, using our own wits. than some far- wheels went back on. shaped my life. As a child it gave me Looking back on that trip I feel sorry flung suburb, I About a year later I wanted to be like autonomy, freedom, solitude and cour- for teens today, and the unnecessary lim- naturally gravitated to an old neighbor- the other kids in my new neighborhood, age. It also made me a bit of an oddball. its imposed on them by this culture of hood near Orlando’s downtown, where so I grabbed a wrench out of my dad’s At age 13 I saw a National Geographic fear and learned helplessness. most of my routine destinations would toolbox, removed story by Dan My 7,000-mile be within easy the training wheels, Burden on a bicy- solo cross-country cycling range. straddled the bike cle tour from tour in 1987 from On a summer while leaning When casual Alaska to the Orlando up to Famous places, evening social ride I against the fence southern tip of Portland, Maine, met the wonderful along the driveway, acquaintances ask me South America. across to the remote places, secret woman who would and launched myself if I’m “still riding my Exploring by bike Oregon coast, and places and everyday become my wife, down into the street. bike” you can imagine was already in my down to Oakland, places; the bike has and her support And so it began. blood; Burden’s California, was and belief in me I can honestly say how I take that. photos and story described by a taken me to them all. gave me the nudge I I have used my bike made it a chronic friend as an “act of needed to leave the for commuting to infection. faith.” commercial art field work since 1970 at My first over- A challenging and get the position age 10, when I got night tour came at thought for a secu- I’ve held for 20 my first paper route, age 16. At 17 I rode lar humanist like years as a bicycle and have commuted by bike (at least a with a friend from my hometown near me, but I suppose one could say I had and pedestrian planner for the metropol- couple days per week) to every job I’ve Cleveland, Ohio, 300 miles each way to faith in my own competence, and faith in itan planning organization. had since. Toronto, Ontario, and back. the people I would likely meet along the Famous places, remote places, secret I’ve considered the bicycle to be my We stayed with my friend’s aunt and way. I believe the experience helped me places and everyday places; the bike has primary mode of transportation my uncle there, but otherwise we were com- choose optimism over pessimism. taken me to them all. entire adult life, so when casual acquain- pletely on our own. Winter 2014 13

Journeys from home... Why we don’t ride FDOT Districts by Robert Seidler he bicycle: It changed this It is a safety box nation and its people proac- now, conditioned, District 1 tively during the 1890s. a barrier to all Cities: Bradenton, Fort Meyers, Where is it now? Why do we around it traveling through space and Naples, Sarasota need it? time like a rocket to a far off planet. Counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, A step back first: during the original One could say that as we became auto- Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee, bicycle boom, assembly line techniques, dependent, our planet was sort of left Okeechobee, Polk, Sarasota ball bearings, transmissions, pneumatic behind and forgotten much like rocket tires, planned obsolescence and modern travelers would do. District 2 marketing strategies The box is a trap. It Cities: Gainesville, Jacksonville, Lake City, St. Augustine were invented and gets your health, Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, applied to the bicycle money and natural Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, first. We need an resources and makes Putnam, St.Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union Women lost their outside-the-box you fear all around District 3 dresses and engaged you. Cities: Destin, Panama City, Pensacola, Tallahassee bloomers so they could solution that is The planet needs Counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, ride comfortably. Men affordable, durable, noticing and tending. Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, wandered farther to sustainable, We need health and Walton, Washington find them and genetic activity. We need an District 4 populations changed. enjoyable, outside-the-box solu- Cities: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach, Stuart Many people stopped planet friendly, tion that is affordable, Counties: Broward, Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach, St Lucie smoking and theaters durable, sustainable, nearly went broke while freeing, enjoyable, planet District 5 people went crazy rid- and fearlessly friendly, freeing and Cities: Coco Beach, Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, Melborne, Ocala, Orlando ing bikes and buying fearlessly powerful. Counties: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia the various sundries powerful. The BICYCLE of the District 6 that attached to their 21st century is all of Cities: Key West, Miami; Counties: Miami-Dade, Monroe bicycles. those and more. It is District 7 Bikes of all varieties, powerless without its Cities: Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa brand names and sizes rider; once empow- Counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas bloomed; side by sides, ered, the rider is fear- tandems, big wheelers, less on his wheels. many wheelers—all Humans have, they overtaking a country say, five senses—smell, that was largely horse- touch, hearing, sight Add your voice powered and depen- and taste. dent on their steeds. The bicycle stimu- for the future JOIN FBA Freedom in dress to Everything looks, lates all of them on of bicycling freedom to explore was feels, smells, tastes every ride and inte- all in flower and under grates them into the in Florida. the individual’s control and sounds different planet as a system of TODAY for the very first time once you are free connected life and during the 1890s. enjoyments. Bikes for the people of and flying by your Sounds odd. It is, but the 1890s were like per- own power and to experience fearless sonal spacecraft are to freedom, first you us today. the bicycle’s. must be empowered Edison and the elec- and power your bike to tric light invention pro- places been before but duced a glut of available never ever experienced oil that previously went before you had all five to oil lamps at a time senses working. that the auto-mobile Everything looks, was developing. feels, smells, tastes and Oil and autos codeveloped and that sounds different once you are free and codependence fit on a society so perfect- flying by your own power and the bicy- ly that we have blindly enjoyed it up to cle’s. today. The test ride is easy but the state of Why pedal when you can putt, putt in mind and empowerment must be condi- a little tin device that was open aired? tioned into you as the auto-conditioning The bicycle is personal freedom of the is removed. highest order. It is also a fearless activity It is an intellectual journey that can done by free and fearless people. save your health—and the planet. The auto, however, quickly evolved into a safety net and almost a womb for — Robert Seidler is a filmmaker, cyclist JOIN ONLINE at www.fbamembership.org and nature-based guide who lives and our culture. Membership includes the FBA Messenger! works in Panacea/Sopchoppy, Florida 14 Florida Bicycle Association Upcoming Bicycle Touring Events in Florida This printed version is ABRIDGED from promotional material provided by tour organizers. We’re not responsible for accuracy of information or quality of these rides. Use the con- tact information for more details about each ride. Ask your friends. Data are gleaned and summarized from an online calendar database maintained by Roger Pierce and published on the FBA web site. To add an event to his (and our) calendar, e-mail to [email protected] or go online to post your own entry. See complete calendar, including many out-of- state rides we don’t have room to print here, and much of the hype we edited out in this here version, at www.floridabicycle.org/touring.

January prizes and raffles with a get-away pack- Club and the City of Boca Raton and (Palm City, FL) proceeding west life-saving organ transplant. Details and January 6-10 Cross City age (2) two round trip tickets on the recreational services. Tour beautiful through western Martin County. The registration at www.katierideforlife.org Gulf Coast Highlight Tour Key West Express. Info@handsacross- Boca Raton with a 15-mile, easy-paced, 106 mile route includes the northern Tour package consists of 5 days and theharbor.com / (941)505-8880. www. police escorted bicycle ride beginning shores of Lake Okeechobee through the April 12-13 Lake Wales four nights; cycling on Florida′s beauti- handsacrosstheharbor.org Active.com at Patch Reef Park, 2000 NW 51st St/ City of Okeechobee to the mouth of the Bike MS: The Citrus Tour 2014 ful Gulf Coast, other attractions include Online Registration Yamato Rd. (just west of Military trail). Kissimmee River. Return south atop the 50/75/100 miles day 1,. 50/75 miles a visit to Historic Yulee Sugar Mill, see Registration: 12:30PM; Ride starts: Herbert Hoover Dike along the paved day 2. Tour old Florida citrus groves, the Mermaids perform at Weeki February 1:00 pm; Registration fee $2.00. section of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic enjoy the serene beauty of Bok Tower Watchee Springs, and see the manatees Midway rest stop for refreshments. Trail to Port Mayaca and on through Gardens and enjoy the overnight stop at at Crystal River. www.gulfcoastevents- February 2 (Sun) Boca Raton Promote safe cycling while spending a Indiantown to LCpl Justin J. Wilson the Caribe Royale Resort. Bike MS is tours. Tour of Boca pleasant afternoon with family and Park. Post ride lunch served, along with fully supported with SAG vehicles, See January 12 listing friends. Children must be at least 10 several fun events scheduled for the bike mechanics and well stocked rest January 11-12 Indialantic years old and must be accompanied by entire family. On-site registration/ stops. After the ride, registered cyclists Gran Fondo Brevard 2014 - February 8-9 White Springs an adult if under 14. No baby seats. check-in opens at 6:30 a.m. Advanced enjoy food and festivities at the Finish Supporting the KLD Suwannee Sweetheart Cycling Helmets required. A limited number $35 pre-registration with guaranteed Line Celebration. www.nationalmssoci- Join hosts Robbie Ventura, Neil Weekend will be provided. SAG wagon (support event T-shirt thru 3/2/14, regular $40 ety.org/citrustour Browne, and Kevin Livingston for a Rides of 25/52/62/100 miles. The lon- vehicle). For more information, call preregistration thru 3/21/14, with $45 cycling weekend from the Crowne ger rides start at 8 a.m. from Suwannee 561 391 6109 or visit www.bocabike- day of event registration. 106 mile ride April 12 (Sat) Hernando Plaza Melbourne with 2 supported rides Bicycle Association Headquarters in club.org. departs at 7:30 a.m., Metric Century Ride for the “Y” during the weekend, panel discussions, White Springs, FL. See FBA’s online 8:15 a.m., and 40 miler 9:00 a.m. Fully Fully supported ride on paved bike all food following the The Feed Zone touring calendar or the web site below March 10-14 Cross City SAG supported with well stocked Rest trails in Citrus County. 16/40/62 miles Cookbook, Jersey, T-shirt, and a variety for more information. www.suwannee- Gulf Coast Highlight Tour Stops and marked routes. available. Proceeds to benefit the Citrus of other amenities - as our all-volunteer bike.org/sweetheart.htm. Active.com Tour package consists of 5 days and www.justinswings.org County YMCA. T-shirts provided to force donates all proceeds to charity. Online Registration four nights; cycling on Florida′s beauti- riders. Lunch available at the end of the www.granfondobrevard.org ful Gulf Coast, other attractions include March 30 (Sun) Sarasota ride. 863-670-0734 (Eric). www.rota- February 9 (Sun) Fort Lauderdale a visit to Historic Yulee Sugar Mill, see Southwest Florida Tour de Cure ryridefortheY.com January 12 (Sun) Boca Raton RIDE with HEART ~ 3nd Annual the Mermaids perform at Weeki 10/35/62/100 miles. Registration fee Tour of Boca PINKIE’s Promotions and Events, LLC Watchee Springs, and see the manatees $15. Routes designed for occasional April 13 (Sun) Immokolee Sponsored by the Boca Raton Bike will host the 3rd ANNUAL Metric at Crystal River. www.gulfcoastevents- rider to experienced cyclist. Opening Immokalee Ride for Literacy Club and the City of Boca Raton and Century (62 Miles) and Half Metric (31 tours. Ceremony. Red Riders lead the tour 15/30/62 mile routes through rural recreational services. Tour beautiful Miles) cycling event RIDE with along well-marked roads with full rest areas of Immokalee. Marked routes Boca Raton with a 15-mile, easy-paced, HEART. Ride along beautiful Atlantic March 15 (Sat) Dunedin stops. SAGs and motorcycles monitor with SAG. Breakfast tacos, lunch and police escorted bicycle ride beginning Ocean. Two Rest Stops. SAG Support. Ride 4 the Animals 2014 roads for safety. Bike mechanics avail- an “Immokolee Veggie Basket” to take at Patch Reef Park, 2000 NW 51st St/ 7:30 a.m. start time. Benefit the Benefits the Suncoast Animal League. able. Start: Lakewood Ranch Main home are included with registration. Yamato Rd. (just west of Military trail). Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Enjoy a day of fun.; Plus, optional chal- Street, Event Manager: Melissa Door prizes during lunch. Registration Registration: 12:30PM; Ride starts: the University of Miami Miller School lenge: “ride with the big dogs” for a Parsons- (813)885-5007 ext. 3358 - from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the start: 1:00 pm; Registration fee $2.00. of Medicine. www.facebook.com/ metric Century along the Gulf Beaches. http://diabetes.org/swfloridatour Farm Worker Village - 1800 Farm Midway rest stop for refreshments. events/210250585785364/ Active.com Or ride at a more leisurely pace, or Worker Way - Immokalee. www.immo- Promote safe cycling while spending a Online Registration enjoy one of two other shorter routes. kaleerunsandrides.com pleasant afternoon with family and Event begins, ends at Highlander Park friends. Children must be at least 10 February 10-14 Cross City at the Mutt March Event. Well stocked April April 26 - May 1 Live Oak years old and must be accompanied by Gulf Coast Highlight Tour Rest stops and SAG. After the ride, Florida Bicycle Safari (34th) an adult if under 14. No baby seats. See January 6 listing for details. Mutt March Event, free beverage from April 5 (Sat) New Orleans LA to Ride through North Florida. 6 full days Helmets required. A limited number www.gulfcoasteventstours.com/ the beer truck and complimentary lunch Pensacola Beach FL or first 3 days. Daily mileage 35 to 100 will be provided. SAG wagon (support item at our veggie booth. Other food Gulf Coast Interstate Relay miles. Camping available at ride start. vehicle). For more information, call February 15 (Sat) Bonita Springs available for purchase from vendors. This is 2 events in one weekend (the Breakfast and dinner each day included 561 391 6109 or visit www.bocabike- Ride 4 Hope to Benefit Hope Hospice Raffle prizes! T-shirts for pre-registra- running relay is April 4-6). The course in registration. SAG stops and SAG club.org. Help give Hope to others! 10/25/50 tions. EARLY BIRD PRICING! www. spans 263 miles across the Gulf Coast, vehicles on every route. Mechanic on mile routes. All proceeds benefit Hope Ride4theAnimals.com. Active.com from New Orleans, LA, to Pensacola site each day. Fun activities in the after- January 12 (Sun) Venice Hospice, a non-profit providing care Online Registration. Beach, FL. Cycling teams can be 2-6 noons-games,music,dancing. Sponsored Piggy′s Revenge Endurance Challenge and support to everyone with a life-lim- people and solo riders are welcome as by the Florida Freewheelers. For more A challenging endurance race/ride con- iting illness. Check-in begins at 6:30 March 15 (Sat) The Villages well. www.gcirelay.com information, call 407-766-0279 or sisting of 60+ miles of off-road good- a.m. at Joanne′s House at Hope Hospice We Bike For Kids-The Villages email floridabicyclesafari@floridafree- ness in Sarasota County Florida. Get in Bonita Springs, 27200 Imperial Rides include well-stocked rest stops, April 6 (Sun) Palm Coast wheelers.com www.floridabicyclesafari. ready for a self-supported gravel, dirt, Parkway. Registration fee includes marked routes, and SAG mechanical Cycle Flagler Ride for Rotary com sand, water and very little road ride. water stops, shirt, goodie bag, brunch, and first aid support. Light breakfast, 25/40/65/100 mile tours traveling The big loop will connect several wil- SAG support and pre-event safety lunch, goody bag, DJ, free raffle ticket -Scenic A1A and byways of Flagler April 26 (Sat) Gainesville derness areas. 20/40/60 mile options check. Hope Hospice, Heather, for prizes, T-shirt for the first 300 rid- County. A 16-mile trail ride for cyclists Ride To Remember 8 .1800 Mabry Carlton Pkwy, Venice, FL (239)489-9164. www.hopehcs.org/ride ers. Join us for a day of fun at The wanting a shorter ride that does not Choose a ride length of your choice on 34292. piggysrevenge2012.blogspot. Active.com Online Registration Villages, Florida′s Friendliest Home include roads has been added. Mass the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, or com. Town. Benefits Project Legacy (www. start at 8 a.m. for road courses with an 50/75/100 miles into the Ocala horse February 15-16 Sebring projectlegacy.net) and the Sumter escort from the High School to SR A1A farm territory. Again this year: 25/50 January 19 (Sun) Cape Coral Bike Sebring 12/24 County Youth Center. Both organiza- in Flagler Beach. 8:10 a.m. for trail ride mile rides from Flemington, FL. A ben- The 23rd Annual Tour de Cape 12 or 24 hour ride on public roads dur- tions address the needs of children in from the Flagler Palm Coast High efit for ElderCare of Alachua County Presented by the City of Cape Coral ing daylight and Sebring International our tri-county area. Pre-registration $30 School 5500 SR 100, Palm Coast and Al′z Place, providing Alzheimer′s Parks & Recreation Department. 5K Raceway at night. We also offer Timed on Active.com or by mail to Project (across from the Flagler County Day Care. http://gccfla.org/rtr/ run on Sat. Jan. 18, and on Sun. Jan. 19 Century. Starts and ends 6:30 am. Legacy, 106 S. Old Dixie Hwy, Lady Airport). Five rest stops. T-shirts for the 15/30/60/100 mile cycling courses trav- Riders from all over the world . A Lake, FL 32159. $35 on-site ride-day. first 400 registered cyclists. Free cook April 27 (Sun) Jacksonville el through the City of Cape Coral, one RAAM qualifier for Race Across Contact Wally Kurz, Ride Director, at out and refreshments at the end of the Tour de Forts of the largest cities in the state. All America. Riders can go at whatever [email protected]. www.webike- ride. Rotary Club of Flagler Beach, PO North Florida Bicycle Club. courses are manned with support teams pace they wish. RAAM qualifiers not forkids.com Active.com Online Box 2005, Flagler Beach, FL 32136. 18/30/62/75/100 miles. On-line regis- and rest stations throughout. http://tour- allowed to draft. www.bikesebring.org Registration. (386) 846-5493 (Kim). Registration tration with complementary T-shirt ends decape.net Active.com Online opens at 6:00 a.m. Century participants April 16. Members $30, non-members Registration. March 16 (Sun) Fort Myers can leave at 7 a.m. but will be unescort- $45, sign up for membership or renew, March Royal Palm Classic ed. www.flaglerbeachrotary.org/ use members price. Late on-line regis- January 25 (Sat) Port Charlotte 15/30/62 mile marked routes. cycleflagler tration without complementary T-shirt Hands Across the Harbor March 7-9 Chiefland Registration opens 7:00 a.m. at ends Wednesday April 25. Day-of-ride 5k Walk, 8k Run, 10/20 Mile Bike Ride Chiefland Spring Bicycle Bike/Tour Buckingham Park, 9800 Buckingham April 12 (Sat) Amelia Island registration without complementary and 8K Longboard Race to celebrate Three fun-filled days riding on Rd near I-75 exit 136. 62 mile ride Katie Ride T-shirt ($55) begins 6:30 AM. Ride the natural beauty of Charlotte Harbor Florida’s Gulf Coast Trails. All rides starts at 8:00 a.m. Rest stops, SAG, 18/36/62/100 miles, fully supported. includes country and coastal roads, and support the Charlotte Harbor start in Chiefland. Choose from several lunch. Caloosa Riders. Off-road and fun-ride also available. ocean-side rest stops, Amelia Island and Environmental Center a 501(c)3 non- options to these destinations - Trenton, The 2013 Bicycle Friendly Community scenic Fort Clinch State Park. Pre-ride profit organization. Registration begins Cross City, Cedar Key and Horse Shoe March 23 (Sun) Palm City of Fernandina Beach is the backdrop snacks, rest stops, post-ride lunch, at 6:45 a.m. at Bayshore Live Oak Park Beach. Phone: (727) 457-6994. www. Riding for Heroes for the coastal ride. All proceeds sup- mechanical support, motorcycle safety in historic Charlotte Harbor, with the chieflandbicyclefest.com Treasure Coast Cycling Association port the Katie Caples Foundation organ escorts, marked routes, maps and rov- kick-off event starting at 8:00 a.m. and (TCCA). Benefits the LCpl Justin J. donor education program. Join 1000+ ing sags are provided. http://nfbc.us/ returning back to the park for family March 10 (Mon) Boca Raton Wilson Memorial Foundation, Inc. cyclists to continue Katie′s legacy and friendly fun including breakfast, enter- Tour of Boca 40/60/106 mile ride options. All rides help provide hope to the 118,000+ indi- tainment, fitness demonstrations, door Sponsored by the Boca Raton Bike depart from LCpl Justin J. Wilson Park viduals in the United States in need of a Winter 2014 15

ClubExpress Update

Change is difficult, even when it’s meant to improve things. FBA staff can appreciate that truism as much as our members who have had to transition to our Club- When you get off your bike, go on FBA’s new website. Express system that we implemented at the beginning Stay informed at www.floridabicycle.org of 2013. Tampa Ad_14 10x5.875 11/15/13 2:52 PM Page 1 We’ve heard from a few folks who had problems when attempting to renew and we worked through them. ############################ We also received a couple of complaints that the gener- ic e-mails reminding them it’s time to renew were much In Honor of too curt, so we have since edited all three reminders. For those who have yet to renew or join using the new system, here’s what the membership “Welcome” page America’s Healing Heroes (http://fbamembership.org) says: FBA is now using a service called ClubExpress to maintain its membership database on-line. This allows us to accept payment for memberships via credit card from our web site, saving members from costly process- ing fees charged by third party providers. It also allows us to offer more value added services for our members and streamlines the administration and TAMPA growth of our association. Membership dues can be paid by credit card accepted on this web site or you may opt to print an invoice and send us a check. FAQ: How do I know if I’m in the database? I don’t have any information on my login ID. If you are or have been an FBA member, we most likely have you in our on-line database. To find out, click on the login link above at top right and then click on the Forgot My Username/Password link. Enter your name and e-mail address. If the system does not find you, it just may mean that we don’t have an e-mail address for you, or the one we have is incor- rect. Saturday, February 1st — 8:00 am Before creating a new member record, please contact Tampa Convention Center, Sail Pavilion the Membership Director first. If you give us a current email address, we can update your record and send 333 South Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602 you a password reset. Thanks for your help! ############################ While it may appear complicated to use, it’s actually quite simple and completely secure, two features that Three routes: 20, 38 & 68 miles convinced us to change to ClubExpress. To register: ride2recovery.com and click on the Granted, there was plenty of work on our end to learn Honor Ride Tampa or go to active.com to manage it and transfer all the existing data, but most of that has finally been completed. So please don’t fear and search for the Honor Ride Tampa renewing or joining through the system. Registration includes: Cool goodie bag with As we suggest, don’t hesitate to contact me (dan@ floridabicycle.org; 239-334-6417) if you run into any tek shirt, finishing medal, fully stocked rest stops, problems while conducting your transaction. SAG support and lunch!!! We do appreciate and count on your support so we want to be sure we do everything we can to ensure you For more information: ride2recovery.com can easily and with confidence become and remain an Call 1-818-888-7091 Ext. 3 or FBA member. email: [email protected] ############################ Florida Bicycle Association Messenger — Winter 2014

Good News, Mr. Smith! The IRS now allows your employer to give you a tax-free reimbursement of up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle related expenses as a qualified bicycle commuter.*

We can keep you up to date with the latest rulings affecting cyclists everywhere, offering 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 Kenneth L. Scearce, CPA David A. Satcher, CPA Carla M. Hansen, CPA 243 W. Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789 (407) 647-6441 Office (407) 645-0099 Fax *See Publication 15-B at www.irs.gov for more information.