Monday, March 31, 2014

Spotlight on Bike/Ped Safety--March 2014

Bike/Ped safety continues to be a front and center issue.  This post includes bike/ped fatalities in March, the FHP bike/ped safety detail event, the March law enforcement meeting, bike/ped safety education efforts, actions on bike/ped safety issues by the Florida Legislature, and the release of proposed USDOT safety performance measures. Track BikeWalkLee's Facebook page and subscribe to real-time blog emails for the latest updates on all safety developments.

Bike/Ped Fatalities Update
 We're now three months into 2014, and to date, Lee County has had 5 pedestrian fatalities  and 1 bicyclist fatality. Of those numbers, there were 4 pedestrian fatalities in March alone. Given our terrible stats for 2013 (25 pedestrian and 4 bike fatalities), we're closely watching 2014 numbers, so stay tuned. Please, everyone, be careful out there!

Below are links to media stories from March:





Local Developments

  • Florida Highway Patrol targets pedestrian and bicycle safety with special details on Wednesday at high crash areas (see March27th blog story)

Thanks to FHP, and LT Greg Bueno for leading this bike/ped safety education and enforcement detail.  The 3/26 FHP detail targeted US 41, Palm Beach Blvd., and Bayshore Road since they have the highest concentration of pedestrian and bicyclist crashes. According to Lt. Bueno's presentation to the MPO BPCC on 3/25, these details will occur once a quarter.  LMHS, SAJD, and BWL were on site to support traffic safety by handing out bike lights and other materials. As you can see from the results from the detail, it was a balanced approach, focusing on all road users--drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists; and there was good media coverage.
  • Lee County's second law enforcement bicycle and pedestrian safety initiatives meeting held on March 14th (see BWL's 3/18 blog)

On Friday, March 14th, Commissioner Pendergrass and FDOT officials convened the second meeting with local law enforcement officials from all jurisdictions as part of a dialogue about bike/ped safety and enforcement issues and  implementation of the Lee MPO Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. 
 
Bike/Ped Safety Education Efforts

BikeWalkLee is using its bi-weekly column in the News-Press "Go Coastal" section to educate the public about some of the rules of the road. 
BWL Column: Plenty of room for bikers and walkers if youplay by the rules (BWL 3/20 blog post) This column featured some simple "rules of the path" for peaceful coexistence for bikers and walkers on the many path systems throughout Lee County in this busy season.
News-Press "Go Coastal" section, March 20, 2013

Actions on roadway safety by Florida Legislature:

BikeWalkLee has three safety priorities for the Florida Legislature this year: strengthen a ban on texting while driving by making it a primary offense; strengthen hit-and-run laws, and oppose efforts to raise speed limits in general. To date, no action has been taken to strengthen the texting statute, the bill to strengthen hit-and-run laws is moving forward, while the bill to raise speed limits is moving forward.  Below are reports on the 2 latter bills:
  
Hit-and-Run:
One positive development on bike/ped safety in Florida Legislature--Senate approved toughening state hit-and-run law.

Speed Limit:
The bill to raise speed limits to 75 mph on some roads moved forward in the Florida State Senate this week, despite opposition from a broad array of safety advocates, including AAA.
 I Can Drive 75…Maybe (3/27/14)


National Developments on Bike/Ped Safety


Over the past two years, BikeWalkLee has worked alongside national and local advocates across the country to urge USDOT to establish a non-motorized safety performance measure as part of the new performance measurement system required by MAP-21.  On March 11th FHWA issued the proposed performance measures without a non-motorized safety performance measure. The public has until June 9th to comment on the proposed rules, so tell USDOT we must have a national goal to make biking and walking a safe transportation option.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Jim Dodson Law joins BikeWalkLee coalition

Join BikeWalkLee in welcoming  Jim Dodson Law to our network of supporter organizations, for a total of 62.

Jim Dodson Law (www.jimdodsonlaw.com)

Jim Dodson is an avid cyclist and a well respected personal injury lawyer in Florida.  Jim rode this year's Royal Palm Classic (sponsored by CRBC) and managed to run into some of the BikeWalkLee members after the event, became interested in joining our efforts, and now his law firm is a BWL supporter organization.
Jim Dodson (in CRBC jersey) with BWL's Darla Letourneau

As an avid cyclist, Jim understands the benefits of cycling, but also the dangers.  In his person injury law practice, he represents people who have been injured and the survivors of those who have died riding bicycles. He is also involved in efforts to prevent crashes and has written a booklet, "Florida Bicycle Accident Handbook", to help people who ride bicycles avoid injury and to let readers know what to do if the worst happens. The main office is in Clearwater, but the firm handles clients all over Florida.

Click here for the latest list of all BikeWalkLee supporter organizations. (Two more have been added since this list was compiled.)


Join us for April 9th Downtown Fort Myers Bike Ride and Audit


  If you're a local elected official, staff, or committee member, here's an opportunity to participate in another of the BikeWalkLee series of bike ride and audit experiences.  This one's in downtown Fort Myers on 4/9 at 5 p.m....join Mayor Henderson and BikeWalkLee!



Mayor Randy Henderson and BWL are hosting ‘Downtown Fort Myers Bike Ride and Audit' on Wed April 9th at 5:00 p.m. to get a close look at the safety and ease of bicycle accessibility to and from as well as around the City’s  downtown area. This is a timely and valuable assessment for a City that wants to be known as “Walk and Bike Friendly”, since its Bike/Ped Advisory Board is currently reviewing and editing their proposed Complete Streets Manual. This guiding manual will go to the City Council for an adoption vote this summer just as the City is experiencing renewed interest in development in and near downtown.”




Ride with us * Assess cycling in this area * Give us your feedback
Wednesday April 9th

Meet 5:00p.m. in the parking lot behind City Hall

Meet up at The French Connection afterwards, approx 7:30p.m.

 Bring your helmet! 

 Have fun, contribute to your City
Please RSVP
Ann Pierce
757-870-9105                                                                                                                             

March 31st: Upcoming cycling, running, walking events

Here's what's coming up in Lee County.  The season is winding down! 

Upcoming events
Running/walking

April 12: African Aid 5K, New Hope Presbyterian Church. 3825 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 7:30 a.m. (fortmyerstraclub.com)

May 10: Turtle Trot 5K, Lovers Key State Park, 8 a.m. (fortmyerstraclub.com)

Cycling and other events

Saturday, April 5: Pedal and Play in Paradise, five different rides start in Punta Gorda including 15-, 30- and 62-miles rides, a 10-mile poker run and a City Manager’s History Tour. All rides benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and TEAM Punta Gorda’s bicycle-friendly initiatives. SAG support and lunch included (http://www.pedalandplayinparadise.com/)

Sunday, April 13: Immokalee Ride for Literacy, 15-, 30- and 62-mile rides. SAG support and lunch included (www.caloosariders.org/)

Sunday, April 13: Everglades Ride, McLeod Park, Everglades City, sponsored by Naples Pathways Coalition and River of Grass Greenway. On-road rides 16 to 62 miles, plus an off-pavement 27-mile ride. SAG support and lunch included (evergladesROGG.org)

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Action Alert: Last call to participate in land use scenarios survey: How should we grow?



Your assistance is needed in this important survey about how we want Lee County to grow in the future.  If you haven't completed the survey, please do so before April 2nd, and encourage your friends and co-workers to also participate.  Please take the Lee County MPO survey at www.Lee2040.metroquest.com.Thanks! 

In February,  The Lee MPO launched its land use scenarios "how should we grow?" survey and the window for participating draws to a close on April 2nd, so here's your last chance to share your thoughts. The MPO has had a strong response to our “How should we grow?” survey, but it's important that as many people in the community as possible participate.  For the BikeWalkLee network, it's a chance to share our vision of county that's walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly.


Please take the Lee County MPO survey at www.Lee2040.metroquest.com.


Nearly 400,000 new residents are expected to reside in Lee County by the year 2040. To address the transportation needs of our growing communities, the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is currently exploring ways to reduce the number of vehicle trips and increase travel options. This involves looking at where future residents and jobs may locate in Lee County over the next 25 years. 

To do this, conceptual growth scenarios are being presented in an online survey. The MPO is asking the public to share their ideas about new ways to grow relating to future transportation investments.  

Public input will be used by the MPO Board members to help select a preferred approach to future growth and the corresponding transportation system needed to support that growth. This is a first step in developing the Lee County 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan.  To learn more about the scenarios project, please visit www.leempo.com/LandUseScenarios_000.shtml.