BikeWalkLee Blog

Dan Moser's Florida Weekly Column:Weather’s just right for running and biking

2012-02-01T06:14:00.001-05:00

This week's column focuses on some great outdoor running & biking events in Lee County, and announces the upcoming JetBlue Park event, encouraging everyone to bike to the event.

Florida Weekly, Feb. 1, 2012
moserdeleon@juno.com

What a day for a bike ride. To say the weather totally cooperated for this year’s Tour de Cape would be an understatement. Not only was the sun shining and temperature perfect — cool to start and mid- 70s by the time cyclists began returning to Cape Harbour – but, for once in my memory, the wind was minimal, at least by Cape standards. And there were plenty of smiling faces among the 700-plus participants who reinforced just how nice things were. Thanks to Cape Coral Parks and Rec staff and all the volunteers who, along with the great weather, ensured success.

The reports I’ve received about early January’s River, Roots, and Ruts Half Marathon, run on the challenging foot and mountain bike trails of Caloosahatchee Regional Park, all confirm a similar situation that day: What a day for a trail run. Steve Brookman, the event’s founder and main force, and the entire team of Lee County Parks and Rec staff, Fort Myers Track Club finish line scorers and workers, Mudcutter bike club course personnel, and the rest of the many volunteers involved did another fantastic job of organizing and managing what I’d consider a classic race. For those who’ve run it before and others who haven’t had the “pleasure” but would like to, I’d suggest you keep a sharp eye open for an announcement of registration opening for the 2013 RRR. I mention that because it’ll be the 10th anniversary of River, Roots, and Ruts, which will likely mean a faster than usual sellout of the 350 available slots. But you needn’t wait until next January to experience the excellent running and mountain biking at CRP because the park is open year-round.

Those were in the past, but four more excellent events are happening soon, two having many years of history, the others not quite as established but just as popular. First up is the time-honored Edison Fest 5K (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com), an evening race that’s taken place for decades now and immediately precedes the Grand Parade on Saturday, Feb. 18, attracting well over 1,000 participants who run in front of the thousands of spectators awaiting the parade. Then, on Sunday, March 4, there’s a dilemma for those who enjoy cycling and running long distances: You’ll have to choose between what’s quickly becoming a classic, the Hooters-to-Hooters Half Marathon (www.hootershalfmarathon.com), celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, and the 14th annual Royal Palm Classic (www.caloosariders.com), another local tradition, staged out of Buckingham Park, with bike rides of 15, 30, 62, and 100 miles. Finally, our own one-of-a-kind challenge, American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb (http://www.lungusa.org/pledge-events/fl/ fort-myers-climb-fy12/), takes place for its third year in the stairwells of 32-story High Point Place condo on the river in downtown Fort Myers.

All the events raise money for worthy causes, so support them and challenge yourself at the same time. And if you’re not sure you’re ready yet and want to check out any of the events first, volunteering is a great way to do so and is always needed and appreciated.

Special event announcement
On Saturday, Feb. 25, a week before the home opener of 2012 Grapefruit League spring training season, a kick-off event will take place at the new home of Red Sox spring training, JetBlue Park at Fenway South. As a way to encourage folks to get out of their cars, thus saving the hassle and cost of finding limited parking, BikeWalkLee is coordinating an effort to ride bikes there instead. The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization has produced maps and route suggestions that BWL is using to help get the word out through various means (blog, website, newspapers, Facebook, Twitter, etc; you’ve probably learned about it through one or another of these media by the time you’re reading this). Additionally, BWL is managing a bike corral where event goers can conveniently and securely park. There’s no charge for a service that will hopefully become a staple at Fenway South. If you’re interested in helping staff the corral, contact me or BWL at info@bikewalklee.org.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and trails.

Upcoming events
Running/Walking: Edison Fest 5K, Saturday, Feb. 18, downtown Fort Myers Hooters Half Marathon, Sunday, March 4, Fort Myers Hooters at Edison Mall For more Lee County running events, visit Fort Myers Track Club (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Racing (www.3dracinginc.com). For Naples/ Collier running info, it’s the Gulf Coast Runners (www.gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.com. Walkers can visit www.meetup.com/Walking-SWFL. Cycling & Other Events: Royal Palm Ride, Sunday, March 4, Buckingham Park Fight for Air Climb, Saturday, April 28, High Point Place, downtown Fort Myers Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, www.caloosariders.com; Florida Mudcutters www.mudcutters.org; Naples Pathways Coalition www.naplespathways.org; Naples Velo, www.naplesvelo.com; Peace River Riders, www.peaceriverriders.com; and Coastal Cruisers Bicycle Club, www.coastalcruisers.net for more information on local bicycling activities, including weekly rides. The Florida Bicycle Association www.floridabicycle.org is your source for statewide happenings.

ACTION ALERT: Call Rep. Mack & ask him to support bike/ped programs

2012-01-31T20:04:00.001-05:00

All our national partners in Washington have issued red alerts today about the new House transportation bill. On Thursday morning, the Committee will mark-up the bill and an amendment will be offered by Congressman Petri (R-WI) to restore bike/ped programs to the bill. It's critical that advocates call Rep. Mack's office at 202-225-2536 on WEDNESDAY (2/1) to urge him to support the amendment.

Below is the alert sent out by the League of American Bicyclists.

Today, the House releases its transportation bill, the American Energy and Infrastructure Act. Please click here to contact your member of Congress.

Last week, we knew the bill would be bad news for biking and walking. But we didn’t think it would go so far as to completely cut every reference to bicycling and walking out of the federal transportation policy.
House leadership is pressing to eliminate bicycling and walking in the Transportation bill:

Destroys Transportation Enhancements by making the program optional
Repeals the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school
Allows states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles
Eliminates bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs
Eliminates language that insures that rumble strips “do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled”

But we can still save biking and walking in this bill. This week in the Transportation Committee, Representatives Petri (R-WI) and Johnson (R-IL) will stand up for bicycling and walking by offering an amendment that restores dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Mr. Petri and Mr. Johnson can only be successful if everyone with a stake in safe sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways contacts their Representative on the Transportation Committee again today to urge them to vote YES on the Petri /Johnson amendment! If your Representative is not on the committee, please ask them to urge their colleagues to vote for the amendment.

This is as urgent as it gets. Even if we do win this amendment, there will be a long road ahead. But if we lose here, we risk losing decades of progress.
We know we are asking a lot of you and we thank you for all you’re doing to preserve biking and walking.

Two Cape Coral bike lane requests move forward

2012-01-31T12:10:00.000-05:00

On Monday January 30, the Cape Coral CityCouncil Workshop officially considered the "Requestsfor Bike Lanes" for the 1.1 mile bike lane connectors on Beachand Agualinda Blvds. Pat Young, representing the Southwest CapeCoral Neighborhood Association, gave a brief presentation, as did another Caperesident from southeast Cape. There were no speakers inopposition. A council vote was not taken at thismeeting; a vote and decision will be made at the regular CityCouncil Meeting on February 6.

Report by Pat Young, SWCCNA

News-Press:Fort Myers cyclist's parents losing patience with speed of crash investigation

2012-01-31T06:32:00.001-05:00

News-Press reporter looks into why FHP hasn't completed its investigation or brought charges against the driver who killed Tracey Kleinpell while cycling on the Sanibel bridge 8 months ago. BikeWalkLee representative is quoted in the story.

News-Press 2/1/12 Date: 1/31/12

Writtenby Dennis Culver

TraceyKleinpell's father says the investigation of May crash is taking too long; hermother wants truck's driver jailed. Authorities say they're still working.

It’s been eight months since46-year-old Tracey Kleinpell was killed after being struck by a truck whilebicycling on the Sanibel Causeway, but her family is waiting on law enforcementto determine if charges will be filed in her death.

“It’s just heartbreaking as hell,”said George Henault, Kleinpell’s father. “I haven’t heard a darn thing. I thinkit’s very strange it’s taking this long.”

Kleinpell, of Fort Myers, was ridingon the shoulder of the causeway with her husband Gordon toward Sanibel Islandwhen she was struck by a truck traveling in the opposite direction.The impactsent Kleinpell over the waist-high guardrail and into San Carlos Bay.

Passing boaters pulled her out ofthe water and brought her to shore, where she was pronounced dead after attemptsto resuscitate her.

The driver of the truck, Theresa L.Shirley, 46, of Bokeelia, was traveling north when she veered across the roadand struck Kleinpell, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report completed onMay 7, the day of the crash. Shirley was not injured. She wasn’t cited at thetime of the crash.

Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Lt.Gregory Bueno said there is an open homicide investigation into the crash, buthe declined to provide information on a timetable as to when or if charges willbe filed. He said an official crash report has not yet been released, becauseof the open investigation into the death.

When asked on Jan. 17 about thestatus of the investigation, Bueno said the FHP is waiting on the FloridaDepartment of Law Enforcement to return toxicology results from a report thatwas submitted to the agency after the crash. But FDLE spokeswoman Kristi Gordonsaid on Jan. 20 her agency received a toxicology report request from the FHP,and it was completed by FDLE and returned. On Jan. 23, Bueno said there was asecond request sent to FDLE that has not yet been completed.

Last week, Gordon said a secondrequest was submitted to FDLE in November, but the FHP was notified FDLE didn’tperform the type of test requested, and on Thursday, Bueno confirmed FHP hasreceived information from FDLE and is continuing with the investigation.

Reviewing case

Investigators are reviewing the case along with the state attorney’s office,he said.
Bueno and Gordon declined to give details as to the results of the tests,what types of tests were requested and when the reports were requested andcompleted.

Darla Letourneau with BikeWalkLee, a community group geared toward raisingpublic awareness about safe travel on streets in the county, said people wantto make sure law enforcement is following through on the case.

“I want to know if they did their job,” she said, noting eight months seemssufficient time to conduct the investigation into Kleinpell’s death. “The lawshould be enforced, and there should be consequences just like if it was aperson killed in a car crash.”

Henault said he doesn’t understand what could be taking the investigation solong, and said he hasn’t been able to get information on where theinvestigation is headed.
He doesn’t know what charges he wants Shirley to face once the investigationis complete, but he wants to know some action is being taken.

“I think she should be charged with something,” he said. “We need to findout what happened.”
He said he and his wife Donna struggle with their daughter’s death everyday, and he’s not sure anything can lessen the pain of their loss.

“I don’t think we’ll ever have closure,” he said. “It’s hard, because thereare just things that come up that remind us of Tracey. We just miss her somuch.”

'She needs justice'

Donna Henault said the family has never had contact with Shirley.
“I’ve never seen her, and I pray to God I never meet her,” she said throughtears. “It’s just unacceptable that woman is walking around, and our babyisn’t. She needs justice.”
She said the months of waiting for news on the investigation have had a tollon her and her husband physically and emotionally, and she’s beginning to losefaith law enforcement will file charges in the case.

“We are trying to heal, and we can’t with this hanging out there like this,”she said.
Shirley could not be reached for comment Friday.
Kleinpell was one of five bicyclists killed in Lee County in 2011, up fromfour in 2010. There were five deaths in 2009.

The four other deaths were also investigated by the FHP, which indicated innews reports those four bicyclists were at fault in those crashes.

Other bicyclists killed in LeeCounty in 2011
• Janet Lofranco, 59, was killed Feb. 19 when she was struck by a vehicle whiletrying to cross the intersection of Estero Parkway and Three Oaks Parkway.
• Kenneth Grant MacDonald, 50, was killed on April 17 in Estero when he wasstruck by a vehicle while trying to cross U.S. 41.
• Kellie Geiger, 52, was killed on May 7 after being struck by a vehicle onU.S. 41 in Bonita Springs. Geiger traveled in the path of a vehicle headingsouth on U.S. 41. The driver in that crash, 22-year-old Rachel L. Ryan, wascharged with driving while her license was suspended and possession ofsuspended license, according to the FHP.
• An unidentified man was killed on May 27 after crossing in front of a vehicleon Tice Street near Lexington Avenue in Fort Myers.

RelatedLinks

Cape Council workshop on Jan. 30th--2 bike lanes on agenda

2012-01-26T09:23:00.002-05:00

The SW Cape Coral Neighborhood Association's request for the Beach and Agualinda bike lanes (1.1 mile) will be reviewed at the Cape Coral City Council Workshop on Monday, January 30, 4:30, in City Council Chambers. Board member Patricia Young will give a very short presentation on why the Council should approve the lanes. Best case scenario at this meeting is that the Council will make it a Consent Item to be positively voted on at the regular Council meeting on February 6. Any supportive presence in the audience would be helpful and appreciated. We understand this item will be the first or among the first taken up at the Workshop.

Report by Steve Chupack, BikeWalkLee's Cape Coral representative

Generational Dynamics and their Impact on Lee County

2012-01-25T18:25:00.003-05:00

At the January 18th meeting of the County's Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC), Dan Rudge, LeeTran's planner, gave an excellent presentation on Generational Dynamics and their impact on Lee County. The presentation was prepared by Dan when he was working for Southeastern Institute of Research (SIR) and The Boomer Project. To see an abbreviated version of the presentation, click here. This is a must see presentation, so be sure to check it out!

As the county develops its Comp Plan amendments to reflect the EAR vision, and as local jurisdictions develop their EARs, it's critical that these generational dynamics are reflected in our plans for the future if we want to attract and retain Gen X and Y citizens and companies. Thank you, Dan!

Save the Date-- Feb. 25th: RIDE YOUR BICYCLE TO THE NEW JETBLUE PARK

2012-01-24T17:11:00.011-05:00

JETBLUE Park, the new Spring training home of the Boston Red Sox, will be completed soon and BikeWalkLee is working with the Red Sox and Lee County Sports Authority on a Feb. 25th event (to be announced soon) at the new Park, so save the date and details will follow.

Bicycle riders of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to ride their bicycles to this soon be to announced event! Start planning now with your friends, family, co-workers, club, or neighbors to organize a ride to the ball park on Feb. 25th, and then consider pedaling to the park for spring training games and other events held there. Not only does it avoid traffic congestion, it is fun, good for your health, and contributes to the sustainability of Lee County.

BikeWalkLee will offer a bike parking corral – a designated area to safely park your bike— at the Feb. 25th event. BikeWalkLee is looking for volunteers to help staff the bike corral. If you can help out, please contact: Kelly Bishop at bkbishop58@msn.com. Volunteers will receive a free “3 feet please” t-shirt (pictured above), courtesy of Harvey Software, Inc. and Southwest Florida Bicycling's "3 feet please" campaign.

The JetBlue Park—Bicycle Access Map (see above) shows the various ways to access the park by bicycle, along with the types of bicycle facilities on each of these roads. (Also posted on BikeWalkLee's website.) As soon as the Red Sox management announces the event, we will provide you with more details. Between now and Feb. 25th, check BikeWalkLee’s blog and its Facebook page for frequent updates and new information. For more information or help in planning your ride, please contact: Steve Rodgers at Gatewaycyclist@yahoo.com.

So, save Feb. 25th on your calendar, get your bike in riding condition, and sign-up now to volunteer! It’s going to be a fun event. Stay tuned for more information!

Invite to ITE Jan. 27th Lunch & Road Diets Webinar

2012-01-23T17:40:00.002-05:00

Here's an opportunity to learn about road diets.

EVENT: ITE Chapter Meeting / Webinar and Lunch (pizza and soda).
Event Date: Friday, January 27, 2012
Event Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 p.m. EDT (Please plan on arriving a little early at around 11:15 am for a few brief announcements and to get situated.)

WHERE: First Floor Conference Room
Lee County Administration Building
2115 Second Street
Fort Myers, Florida 33901

COST: $5.00 per person to ITE (members and non-members).

RSVP TO: Suresh Karre simply by accepting this appointment request or via e-mail: suresh.karre@dplummer.com.

DESCRIPTION/TOPIC: Road Diets (Webinar)
PRESENTED BY: Peter Lagerwey, Senior Planner, Toole Design Group
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) offered an eight-part Webinar series intended to help communities address pedestrian safety issues through design and engineering solutions. Modeled after the FHWA's/PBIC's in-person training course "Designing for Pedestrian Safety," the Webinars covered topics ranging from sidewalk design to road diets. Today's webinar was offered as Part 7 of that series. It is a recorded webinar.

Some of the learning objectives of webinar include:
- To be able to describe how speed and pedestrian crash risk reduces when the number of lanes are reduced.
- To explain why reducing the number of lanes, reduces risks making it is easier to cross roads.
- To discuss a lot of different ways to get to the decision to do a road diet.
- To demonstrate how reducing the lanes creates free space for higher and better use.

BikeWalkLee comments on Transportation “white paper” at Jan. 23rd LPA meeting

2012-01-23T16:42:00.003-05:00

As explained in our Jan. 17th blog post, Bike WalkLee is participating in this year-long process to ensure that the complete streets/sustainability focus in the EAR is carried through in the actual Comp Plan amendments. This month’s Lee Plan policy papers included a paper on key transportation strategies, including level of service standards, transportation concurrency, and a potential mobility fee.

Dr. Margaret Banyan and Darla Letourneau, both representing BikeWalkLee, spoke at the meeting to highlight some of the paper’s recommendations, put others in context, and to share our ideas about some of the transportation policy changes needed in the Comp Plan.

Below is a summary of our comments:
To achieve a balanced transportation system that increases walkability, multi-modal transportation choice, and compact mixed use communities, there are three issues that must be addressed.

1st Issue: Transportation LOS.

• Current LOS standards require that the county and MPO planning systems value moving cars as quickly as possible above any other goal, such as bicycle & pedestrian safety, viable public transit, and economic development.
• Using only the automobile LOS means that roads are overbuilt to accommodate traffic at peak hours /day/periods.

• This has a detrimental effect on a healthy multi-modal transportation system, livable communities, and economic development. If roads must move cars fast, then they have to be wider and raise speed limits – making them less safe for users, destroying opportunities for infill development, and raising construction and maintenance costs for the county.

• Gary Toth, with the Project for Public Spaces says, “Most [traffic models] ignore changing demographics such as the aging of our population, rising energy prices, ... and societal changes. Most assume that our economy will continue to grow at the same rate as it has over the last 30 years."

• We suggested that the County eliminate the use of an “A –F” grading system in any revised LOS approach. It is an overly simplistic tool that hides the full range of factors that should be taken into account in making transportation policy decisions.

• Not only does an LOS approach need to be multi-modal, it needs to have more dynamic operational measures. Now we just look at the volume of traffic during peak hours in peak season & only look at an estimate of the population growth 25 years out, not the change in demographics and their implications for planning differently. Dan Rudge’s “Generational Dynamics” presentation illustrated clearly that Gen X’s and Y’s want more urban living, walkable communities, and more choices in transportation. These dynamics need to be reflected in planning for the future. Using the current methodology which simply perpetuates the status quo will mean Lee County will not attract or retain Gen X and Y citizens or companies.

• If you do not deal with LOS issue, there is no point in considering any other ‘fix’ to the transportation system or the EAR, because the models will continue to spew out the ‘need’ for wider and faster roads.

2nd Issue: Sustainable Performance Criteria & Measures
• To facilitate the goals of a balanced transportation system -

• We would like to highlight the absolute critical tool that is mentioned at the bottom of page 4 of the transportation white paper – which is the use of Sustainable Performance Criteria & Measures as they are applied to transportation decisions.

• These tools, from respected sources, such as the Federal Highway Administration, provide an important framework for decision makers to understand the economic development, land use, transportation, and community livability tradeoffs in each transportation decisions.

• The use of these existing tools should be seriously considered & adopted by Lee County while implementing it transportation vision.

• The key is to marry the revamped LOS approach with sustainable transportation measures….no matter what improvements are made in LOS, they must be combined with performance measures to accomplish the EAR vision.

3rd Issue: Funding

• The white paper addresses certain funding options and concurrency requirements for transportation. There are 3 goals that should be considered:
1) ensure that infill and redevelopment opportunities are maximized and that robust incentives are provided for building compact and mixed use communities
2) ensure that fees are used as significant disincentives to continued sprawl & greenfield development
3) and perhaps most importantly-- provide for transportation funding options that fund both construction and operations– this is most crucial for growing a viable transit system

Now that the state has returned transportation control to local governments it’s important that Lee County use this opportunity to make it support our local vision and our community plans.

FDOT’s December report on “Proportionate Share” (mandated by the Florida Legislature after the state law change removing the mandate for transportation concurrency) illustrates that local governments throughout Florida will be moving in this direction. It’s important that the County coordinate with the MPO and other local jurisdictions so that we’re all moving in the same direction on these issues.

Other comments

• BikeWalkLee representatives pointed out that the FDOT Green Book (cited in the white paper as a barrier) is in fact guidance rather than a standard and the county needs to surmount this “barrier” rather than not fully implementing the vision in the EAR. Ultimately, Lee County can develop its own design standards that would supersede the Green Book guidelines.

• In response to comments from LPA members about funding constraints, BWL provided three recent examples to show the cost savings that can occur from changing the way we think about transportation…all of which were covered in our blog post from Friday’s MPO Board meeting. Click here.

• The next step in the process is for the Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) to review and comment on these same issue papers at its Feb. 15th (6 p.m.) meeting.

Alliance for Biking and Walking: 2007 Benchmarking Report

2012-01-23T15:02:00.002-05:00

On 1/23/12, one of BikeWalkLee's national partners, the Alliance for Biking & Walking, released a new report, Bicycling and walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, which ranks all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities on bicycling and walking levels, safety, funding, and other factors. Below are excerpts from their press release.

Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2012 Benchmarking Report is an essential resource and tool for government officials, advocates, and those working to promote bicycling and walking. The Benchmarking Project is an on-going effort by the Alliance for Biking & Walking to collect and analyze data on bicycling and walking in all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities.

This third biennial report reveals data including: bicycling and walking levels and demographics; bicycle and pedestrian safety; funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects; written policies on bicycling and walking; bicycle infrastructure; bike-transit integration; bicycling and walking education and encouragement activities; public health indicators; and the economic impact of bicycling and walking. The report is full of data tables and graphs that show how your state or city stacks up, and provides unprecedented statistics to help support your case for increasing safe bicycling and walking in your community. Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2012 Benchmarking Report was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and made possible through the additional support of AARP and Planet Bike.

Main Conclusions:

This report shows that increasing bicycling and walking are goals that are clearly in the public interest.

Where bicycling and walking levels are higher, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes levels are lower. Higher levels of bicycling and walking also coincide with increased bicycle and pedestrian safety and higher levels of physical activity. Increasing bicycling and walking can help solve many serious problems facing our nation.

As this report indicates, many states and cities are making progress toward promoting safe access for bicyclists and pedestrians, but much more remains to be done.

Making the Case for Increased Investment in Bicycling and Walking

As this report shows, the United States overall has great disparities between bicycling and walking mode share, safety, and funding. Twelve percent of trips are by bicycle or foot, yet bicyclists and pedestrians make up 14% of traffic fatalities and receive just 1.6% of federal transportation dollars.

An international comparison of bicycle funding and mode share by Gotschi and Mills and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (see Chapter 4, page 96) demonstrates that international cities that invest greater amounts per capita in bicycling have greater levels of bicycling. These cities provide strong evidence that in order to increase bicycling and walking, the United States must invest significantly more in these modes.

Looking Outside Our Borders

It is also crucial that the United States look to other countries to see what mode share levels are possible, and how they have increased bicycling, walking, and safety. The United States lags far behind other countries and international cities in regard to walk and bike share of trips, safety, and public health.

As this report shows, the countries and cities with the greatest levels of bicycling and walking are also the safest places to bicycle and walk. These countries also have the lowest levels of obesity and report that prioritizing bicycling and walking is good for their economies.

The Economic Impact of Bicycling and Walking

As economic recession has impacted communities across the nation, active transportation has emerged as a promising sector for growth and revitalization. Bicycling and walking projects create 11-14 jobs per $1 million spent, compared to just 7 jobs created per $1 million spent on highway projects. A series of case studies in 2010, examining the construction of U.S. bicycle and pedestrian facilities, found that such projects created between 218 and 1,050 new construction jobs.

After an initial economic boost from construction, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure has a lasting impact on local economies. A 2009 study in Minnesota found that bicyclists on state trails spend $2.4 billion annually, supporting nearly 31,000 full- and part-time jobs. A survey of San Francisco business owners on Valencia Street found that two-thirds of merchants thought the street's bike lanes had an overall positive impact on their business or sales.

Bicycling and walking also results in significant cost savings on health care spending. If just one out of every 10 adults started a regular walking program, the U.S. could save $5.6 billion in health care costs — enough to pay the college tuition of more than 1 million students. Thanks to bicycle infrastructure and programming, the City of Portland expects to see between $388 and $594 million in health savings by 2040. Cost benefit analysis show that as much as $11.80 in benefits can be gained from every $1 invested in bicycling and walking.

Promoting Active Transportation and Safety

This report highlights numerous measures to promote bicycling and walking. As Chapter 7 discusses, a variety of policy measures and provisions are likely needed to make communities more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly.

Just as it took a large investment of public money in roads, signals, signs, and education for motorists, so too will it take an ongoing commitment of public investment in bicycling and walking to see major shifts toward these modes. Although greater investment in bicycling and walking is the primary recommendation of this report, there are many other measures that must be taken to simultaneously strengthen public policy, infrastructure, and behavior toward bicycling and walking.

More than one-third of the U.S. population is under age 16 (typically cannot legally drive) or over age 65. Streets that do not adequately accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians create barriers for people who do not drive. This limits their ability to fully participate in American society, or else makes them reliant on others to drive them around. Less than half of states and major U.S. cities have adopted complete streets policies, which require that roadways be designed and built with all users in mind. In the absence of a national complete streets policy, the Alliance encourages states and jurisdictions to pursue local policies to begin to transform their local transportation culture and guarantee access for all road users.

Other policies featured in this report, such as education for police officers and the inclusion of bicycling and walking safety in driver education, are also key to the shift toward a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly culture. Adult and youth education programs, public awareness campaigns such as "Share the Road," and other promotional efforts, can also help raise awareness and change attitudes around bicycling and walking. Many of the benchmarks featured in this report contribute to making communities more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly by changing the built environment, culture, attitudes, and behaviors.

Click here for the full report.

BWL Commentary: Florida should ban distractions while driving

2012-01-22T06:24:00.007-05:00

BWL steering group member, Ken Gooderham's commentary in Sunday's News-Press urges the Florida Legislature to ban texting while driving. BikeWalkLee sent the commentary to the Lee Legislative Delegation and asked them to take action in this session of the Florida Legislature.

News-Press, 1/22/12

Written by
Ken Gooderham
Special to news-press.com

Common sense should dictate you don’t do something that’s proven to be unsafe, increasing the risk of injury to you and others. However, when common sense isn’t so common, the law may have to step in to protect public safety.
That’s the situation facing Florida legislators over a hot issue — use of cell phones while driving.

Studies show phone use while driving is a distraction, increasing the risk to drivers and bystanders alike. A recent report from the federal National Transportation Safety Board called for an outright ban on cell phone use while driving, the most far-reaching recommendation by an agency yet.

No state currently enacts a complete ban, but many do have some restrictions about driving and dialing on the books — including texting behind the wheel, which is banned in all but 15 states.

Florida is one state that still allows texting while driving, something a bipartisan group of lawmakers hopes to change. They have introduced bills (HB 299 and SB 416) to ban texting while driving.

Another pair of bills — HB 187 and SB 930 — goes in another direction, to prohibit any cell phone use by drivers under age 18 and those operating a school bus.
These common-sense laws are facing opposition from those who view any restriction of driving activities as an infringement of their rights, as well as those who worry about abusive enforcement of such bans.

To the latter: Any new law has the potential to invite abuse. If that was the criteria for legislative passage, nothing would ever be enacted. However, these bills specify any ban will be enforced as a secondary action — meaning you can’t be pulled over for texting, but you could be charged in conjunction with, say, an accident.

To the former: When do your rights to act dangerously stop and the rights of others to be safe begin? When someone who’s typing on their cell phone while driving is shown to be as dangerous as someone who’s had a few drinks before getting behind the wheel, how can the first action be legal and the second not?
Why would anyone endorse a behavior that distracts a driver from paying attention to the road — endangering not only themselves but other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists?

One can hope drivers would realize texting and driving is a bad mix. In a perfect world, it wouldn’t take a law to make people do the smart thing. But this world isn’t perfect, and when one person’s actions endanger others, lawmakers must support public safety and give law enforcement personnel the tools they need to keep roads safe and keep distracted drivers from putting themselves and others at risk.
Even mobile phone companies have come around on the idea that texting and driving don’t mix. Florida should join them, and the majority of states who already ban such distractions.

Ken Gooderham serves on the steering committee of BikeWalkLee, a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County.

Complete Streets approach resulting in rethinking of roadway designs: Pending amendments to MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

2012-01-21T06:08:00.001-05:00

At the January 20th MPO Board meeting, BikeWalkLee’s representative, Darla Letourneau spoke in support of proposed amendments to five roadway projects in the LRTP that were the result of the county’s implementation of complete streets.

After the LRTP plan was adopted last December, LeeDOT re-examined the county’s list of road projects approved in the MPO’s 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan in terms of complete streets principles and a further review of the traffic model analysis. As a result of this analysis, the staff determined that five road projects (2 in Cost Feasible Plan-- Buckingham Rd from Orange River Blvd to SR 80 & Sandy Lane from Strike Lane to Pelican Colony Blvd.; and 3 in Needs Plan— Crystal Drive from US 41 to Plantation Rd., Plantation Rd. from Six Mile Cypress to Idlewild St., & Alabama Rd. from 40th St. to Sunrise Blvd.) slated for widening from two to four lanes should be reduced to a two lane divided roadway with median and turn lanes.

Letourneau stated that this proposed change in plans will result in roadways that take into account the needs of all users, improve safety, enhance the livability of the surrounding communities, and at the same time save the county and its taxpayer’s money. According to a preliminary estimate by MPO staff, this change in these five road projects will reduce the cost of these projects by $58.5 million.

BikeWalkLee is excited to see the complete streets principles applied to how road projects are planned and designed…it’s not just about adding bike and pedestrian facilities to road projects…it’s also about taking a holistic approach to transportation & land use planning for long term economic development, livability, and sustainability. It’s also about improving our existing roadways before expanding capacity.
We are realizing that there are many other ways to address “congestion” than to add new lanes.

For those that might think that “complete streets is too expensive”…this is an excellent example of how this new way of thinking can not only improve the quality of life in our communities but also save taxpayers money. BikeWalkLee looks forward to the opportunity to apply this approach to other roads in the cost-feasible and needs plan, such as Ortiz Avenue.

Letourneau thanked David Loveland, LeeDOT Director, for initiating these proposed changes and urged the Board to approve the amendments when they come for a vote at the February 17th meeting.

In response to a question from Fort Myers City Councilman Tom Leonardo about whether he thought the Buckingham Rd. change would work, Commissioner Frank Mann responded that he was fully in support and that the road would be safer and better for the community with this approach.

In a related matter, Councilman Leonardo commented that the Colonial Blvd. expansion of lanes from 2 to 3 lanes to SR 82 was nearing completion and that the additional lane had totally alleviated the congestion problem. He pointed out that this $30 million fix was all that was needed—not a $928 million Colonial Blvd. expressway that had been proposed. He said we should continue to revisit road plans—nothing should be chiseled in stone.

Cape Coral Councilman Kevin McGrail commented that a similar revisiting of a road plan was needed on the Veterans/Santa Barbara intersection proposals. He suggested to LeeDOT that instead of spending $15 million to fix one intersection that will only move traffic to the next intersection and solve nothing, that they take a holistic & corridor approach and instead put in Michigan left turns at all of the intersections on Veterans Parkway. He argued that this was the most cost effective answer and would give us a decade or more of a traffic solution.

Report from Complete Streets Lessons Learned Presentations

2012-01-21T05:18:00.004-05:00

On Thursday, Fit Friendly of Southwest Florida hosted an excellent 2 hour workshop for county and city officials and staff to hear about Lee County’s complete streets implementation and to discuss lessons learned that could be useful to the local jurisdictions as they move forward on complete streets. Attending were the County Manager, the LeeDOT Director and the county's complete streets team, the City Manager of Fort Myers, and staff from Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, LMHS, BikeWalkLee, Naples Pathways Coalition,and the Department of Health & its Director who hosted the event.

Andy Getch, LeeDOT, made the presentation and led an excellent discussion.

Some of the key lessons learned that were discussed:
• Need to change the public participation process and reach people in new ways;
• Need for prototypes on the ground so citizens can see what complete street improvement would look like
• Need for local jurisdictions to take a holistic perspective and include a complete streets approach in their EARs
• The importance of organizational change and the value of interdepartmental team as way of breaking down silos and taking holistic approach
• Importance of champions, both internal and external
• Importance of health aspect of complete streets

On Friday, Andy made a similar (but shorter) presentation to the APA Florida lunch series, with 28 attendees, primarily planners in both Lee and Collier Counties. The planners’ discussion focused on how engineers and planners could get developers to build interconnected roads, sidewalks, and bicycling facilities. There was discussion about the need to change transportation concurrency so that it included bike/ped/transit connectivity, not just moving cars, and the need to change the incentives and disincentives in the codes and through performance measures or walkability scores to move in the direction of complete streets and sustainable communities.

Thanks to Andy Getch and the Lee County Complete Streets team for taking the time to share their experiences with complete streets implementation and engaging the larger community in the discussions about how to work together across all the county jurisdictions, agencies, professional and community organizations to move forward.
By Darla Letourneau

Congratulations to Jim Nathan, named Person of Distinction

2012-01-21T04:17:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Jim Nathan, president and CEO of Lee Memorial Health System (LMHS), who was named Person of Distinction for the Past 25 Years at Thursday's News-Press awards event. For the past 25 years, Jim Nathan a leader and role model on living a healthy and active lifestyle and the need for a safe and accessible built environment that encouraged people to exercise. He was a champion for complete streets before the term was coined! He and his organization, LMHS, were a founding supporter organization of the BikeWalkLee coalition and at every step of the way, Jim has shown his support through commentaries, testimony, letters of support, and action. Thank you, Jim, for all you've done for the community and your contributions to the complete streets movement in Lee County.

BikeWalkLee was honored to be a finalist for the Hero of the Year award and BWL representatives Darla Letourneau, Dan Moser, Ann Pierce, and Cindy Banyai, participated in the awards event. Congratulations to Meg Geltner of the Salvation Army, who was named Hero of the Year. It was truly an inspiring event and being with all the award winners from the past 25 years was a reminder of how many residents and groups in our community have contributed their time, talent and experience to moving Lee County toward a more productive future. Thanks to News-Press for hosting this event and for honoring our community leaders.

Opportunity to nominate outstanding business for new Chrysalis Sustainability Award

2012-01-20T18:09:00.006-05:00

Do you know an outstanding Lee County business that is practicing sustainability? Take a moment to nominate them for Lee County's new Chrysalis Sustainability Award!

Applications are due Feb. 17th.

Click here for more information, including the nomination form.

Lee MPO Applies for federal grant for Colonial Alternative Transportation Mode Network

2012-01-18T11:15:00.002-05:00

On January 4th, the MPO submitted an application for a federal grant under the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program (TCSP) for the Colonial Alternative Transportation Mode Network. This project is one component of the Complete Streets Initiative TIGER grant application (submitted by the MPO in October) and part of the Lee Tour de Parks Route demonstration project in the MPO’s countywide bike/ped master plan. The grant application requests $1. 6 million in federal funds, matched by $2.2 million in local funds, for a total project cost of $3.8 million.

The proposed project would address 5 miles of the Colonial Bvd. from Fowler Street to Six Mile Cypress Parkway where a pathway and six bus landing pads and shelters would be added on the north side of the roadway. The project also proposes to replace existing pedestrian signal heads with countdown signal heads at 6 major intersections on Colonial Blvd, and at 4 signalized intersections around the corridor. The proposed project also includes the expansion of a bus transfer facility at Edison Mall to provide a bicycle parking facility. BikeWalkLee is included in the application as a nontraditional project partner and would be part of project team in implementing the grant.

The total nationwide amount available is $29 million. Eligible entities for this FHWA grant include States, MPOs, and local governments and were submitted through State DOTs and prioritized by the State DOT. (Note: ours was the only application from District 1 FDOT.) Notification of grant awards will be made in April/May 2012. FHWA will evaluate the projects based on statutorily required priority consideration as well as additional project selection criteria – livability, state of good repair, safety etc.

Thanks to Andy Getch of LeeDOT, who learned about this grant opportunity while participating in a national webinar in December, and passed it along to the BPCC at its December meeting. At the December BPCC meeting, the committee supported pursuing the grant and the MPO staff volunteered to prepare the application submission over the holidays. Kudos to Ron Gogoi, the MPO Deputy Director, for preparing an excellent grant application on such short notice. All the work that went into preparing the TIGER grant application in October came in handy in preparing this application.

Now, once again, we wait to hear if our grant application is selected!

Dan Moser's Florida Weekly Column: Sidepath etiquette: Do unto others…

2012-01-18T07:14:00.004-05:00

\

This week's column focuses on sidepath etiquette, following the Golden Rule--"do unto others as you'd have them do unto you." The advocacy section talks about playing "defense" in this year's Florida Legislative session.

Florida Weekly, Jan. 18, 2012

“Road riding is the last place I want to be — the sidewalk is where I ride.” No matter what the facts are in terms of safety, efficiency and availability of sidepaths (sidewalks or multi-use paths meant for bikes), many cyclists shun the road whenever possible. That being the case, there are rules of behavior there just like there are for anyone operating in the street. Based on what many of us experience each and every day, the majority of users apparently don’t know the rules or choose to ignore them. This is particularly problematic for vulnerable pedestrians who are sometimes terrorized by inconsiderate cyclists or even runners, especially those in groups. Of course, pedestrians can be hazardous to cyclists as well.

Even in a place like Sanibel, where there’s actually a good chance of getting to a destination exclusively on multi-use sidepaths, there are numerous problems encountered and that are caused by the users themselves. This is particularly true when the paths are congested with residents, tourists and day-trippers of all ages and abilities. The mix of modes is a challenge in itself: Bicycles of all shapes and sizes (including surreys that can carry as many as nine riders) and operators of varying skill and experience levels; fitness walkers and runners making their way with purpose; sight-seers on foot and wheels, oblivious to happenings around them; in-line and roller skaters who may or may not have themselves under control; unpredictable children; dogs darting back and forth across the pathway, their leashes a potential hazard; and folks using motorized wheelchairs and other assistive devices are some examples. And let’s not forget about vehicles frequently crossing the path to access driveways, as well as sidepath users needing to traverse the streets that are sometimes very congested and filled with impatient distracted drivers.

Not just on Sanibel’s paths, but anywhere people share limited space where many hazards exist, having rules of etiquette is a must. Some, in fact, are law as well as common sense: for example, warning others when about to pass from behind. Cycling at a much slower speed than when on the road, especially when others are present or expected. Paying attention to the surroundings, which means foregoing the iPod, texting and yapping on the phone while in motion. And simply being courteous and cutting others some slack, even toward those who are being boneheads themselves. On the sidepath and life in general, the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you,” goes a long way.

Advocacy update

Well, the 2012 Florida legislative session has begun earlier than ever this year and those of us working toward complete streets and other measures to improve cycling, pedestrian and transit conditions aren’t quite sure what to expect. The one issue that’s dominating the early weeks — and perhaps buying some time to better prepare for the unknown — is redistricting, a task that must be completed in a timely manner so those seeking election in the fall and prior primaries will have time to take the steps necessary to qualify and run a campaign. As I’ve mentioned in prior columns, we’ll likely be playing defense in an attempt to minimize potential setbacks. It’s too early to report on anything specific, but rest assured that Florida Bicycle Association, Rails to Trails Conservancy and BikeWalkLee are working with our partners toward the overall goal of bettering our bike/ ped/transit environment. To that end, FBA has engaged a Tallahassee-based lobbying firm; RTC has a full-time staff person in Tallahassee; and members of BWL’s steering committee sit on FBA’s legislative committee so it has direct input into the process.

In another statewide matter, I was recently interviewed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which came to Florida to conduct a pedestrian safety assessment. Along with a number of others throughout the state who regularly work to improve conditions for non-motorists, small groups were asked about obvious problems (e.g. highest fatality rate in the country), lesser-known issues (e.g. misguided safety awareness campaigns instituted by FDOT), and possible solutions (e.g. instituting complete streets). Based on the background of many of the folks interviewed and the apparent interest and urgency NHTSA has expressed in helping us reverse the trend of being number-one in both bike and pedestrian fatalities each year, I’m optimistic that some good will come of this assessment.

Upcoming events

Running/Walking: Calusa Bug Case 5K, Saturday, Jan. 21, Calusa Nature Center (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) Tour de Cape 5K, Saturday, Jan. 21, Cape Harbour (www.capeparks.com) Prostate Cancer Awareness 5K, Saturday, Jan. 28, Lakes Park (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) Edison Fest 5K, Saturday, Feb. 18,downtown Fort Myers (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) Hooters Half Marathon, Sunday, March 4, Fort Myers Hooters @ Edison Mall (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com)
For more Lee County running events, visit Fort Myers Track Club (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Racing (www.3dracinginc.com).
For Naples/ Collier running info, it’s the Gulf Coast Runners (www.gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.com. Walkers can visit www.meetup.com/Walking-SWFL.

Cycling & Other Events: Tour de Cape: Sunday, Jan. 22, Cape Harbour, Cape Coral (www.capeparks.com) Royal Palm Ride, Sunday, March 4, Buckingham Park (www.caloosariders.com) Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, www.caloosariders.com; Florida Mudcutters www.mudcutters.org; Naples Pathways Coalition www.naplespathways.org; Naples Velo, www.naplesvelo.com; Peace River Riders, www.peaceriverriders.com; and Coastal Cruisers Bicycle Club, www.coastalcruisers.net for more information on local bicycling activities, including weekly rides. The Florida Bicycle Association www.floridabicycle.org is your source for statewide happenings.

More position papers for review in New Horizon 2035 Lee Plan update process , including transportation concurrency paper

2012-01-17T20:24:00.006-05:00

This month’s Lee Plan policy papers address how to recognize and reinforce the distinctions between urban, suburban, and rural areas; and focus on key transportation strategies, including level of service standards, transportation concurrency, and a potential mobility fee. Bike WalkLee is participating in this year-long process to ensure that the complete streets/sustainability focus in the EAR is carried through in the actual Comp Plan amendments. We encourage you to participate in this process.

Background: As reported in earlier blog posts, Horizon 2035 is a comprehensive review and update of the Lee Plan through the year 2035. The Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) adopted by the Commissioners in early 2011 resulted in a sustainable vision for growth and development. The County is now using this vision as the basis to update the Lee Plan’s goals, objectives and policies.

Before drafting goals and policies, the County is presenting a series of issue papers to the Local Planning Agency (LPA) and the Sustainability Committee (CSAC) for input. There are now 4 more issue papers out for review, which will be discussed at the Monday, January 23rd LPA meeting, held at 8:30 a.m. in the Board Chambers in downtown Fort Myers. The papers will also be discussed at the February 15th CSAC meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the County Administration conference room. At the beginning of both meetings, the agendas include an opportunity for public comment.

The four new papers are:
A. Rural Framework

B. Suburban Framework

C. Urban Framework

D. Transportation Strategies

Sanibel's upcoming Bicycle Visitors Welcome Center

2012-01-16T17:53:00.001-05:00

Kudos to the Sanibel Bicycle Club and its many Sanibel partners for initiating and managing this important new welcome and information center on Periwinkle Way. A special thanks to Tom Sharbaugh (BikeWalkLee's Sanibel representative), who is the project manager. Below is the article that appeared in this week's Island Reporter. WINK News also covered the story on Jan. 16th. Click here for the WINK video.

Built for BicyclersJanuary 12, 2012BILL SCHILLER (bschiller@breezenewspapers.com) , Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva IslanderWith its balmy breezes and graces of green spaces, Sanibel Island holds special allure for those who admire the outdoors. Beyond the beach goers and the crowd at Island Cow Restaurant that typically mooooves outside for lunch, on most days of the week, the climate is appealing enough to observe a variety of people pedaling on bicycles along the sidewalks of Periwinkle Way as well as other popular shared-use paths that snake throughout the City. The Sanibel Island Bike Club is in the process of creating something that will further cater to the biking community.

In the coming weeks, a pavilion that serves as something of a Bicycle Visitors Welcoming and Information Center will be erected at a site situated on Periwinkle between Huxter's Market and the She Sells Sea Shells store.At present, the site only has some wooden posts marking off the space, but as Bike Club Member and Project Coordinator Tom Sharbaugh explains, with the anticipated arrival of the necessary building materials, ground could potentially be broken on the site as early as next week.When complete, the 15ft x 12ft pavilion will be complemented with items that include: a comprehensive map depicting the entirety of bike paths throughout Sanibel; information on nature areas worthy of tour (courtesy of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation); details pertinent to the history of the site as well as other significant locations on the Island (courtesy of the Sanibel Museum & Historic Village); a bike rack for parking (donated by Billy's Bike Rentals); white benches (donated by the Lion's Club); and a water fountain, which is always refreshing to bicyclers.

Support for the project has been so great that Sharbaugh calls it "a great example of community participation."The project isn't costing the City anything as Sharbaugh says the initiative has garnered widespread approval from many who have donated materials to support the project.

Click here to continue reading the article.

BikeWalkLee Releases 2011 Accomplishments Report

2012-01-15T10:32:00.004-05:00

On January 14th, BikeWalkLee released its third annual accomplishments report and shared it with our supporter organizations, government officials, agencies, staff, and committees, the news media, and others in our network as our way of saying "thanks" to everyone for their support, leadership, commitment, and involvement. Through the support of our supporter organizations,in conjunction with committed public officials, local agencies, a variety of government advisory committees, and dedicated individuals, BikeWalkLee has been able to achieve a lot in very little time ― remember, the BikeWalkLee coalition only sprang to life in spring 2009.In 2012 and beyond, BikeWalkLee will continue to work with local officials, dedicated advocates and like-minded organizations to advance the cause of complete streets and transportation alternatives for Lee County. We hope we will be able to count on your support of these efforts.

Click here to read BikeWalkLee’s 2011 Accomplishments Report

Photo Caption (photo by James Hamilton):
Members of the BikeWalkLee steering group at our 1/9/12 meeting. From left to right: Shannon Maitland (and son Luke), Ken Gooderham, Dan Moser, Margaret Banyan, Darla Letourneau, Ann Pierce, Steve Rodgers, Steve Chupack, and Bert Hamilton. Other steering group members not in photo: Kate Gooderham, Tom Sharbaugh, Joe Beck, Cindy Banyai, Sarah Baker, and Toni Ferrell. Thanks to the whole team for a successful 2011.

Action Alert: Jan. 18th Cape Coral Council Committee: Veterans/Santa Barbara intersection options

2012-01-15T10:19:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday, Jan. 18th there is a second opportunity for public input on LeeDOT's Veterans/Santa Barbara intersection improvements options.(see BikeWalkLee's Jan. 4th blog for background information.)The Cape Coral Transportation Advisory Commission, made up of a subset of the Council members, will discuss this issue at their monthly meeting, scheduled for Wed., January 18th at 9:00 a.m. in the main conference room (220A) at City Hall (1015 Cultural Park Blvd). There is an opportunity for public input at the beginning of the meeting.The first substantive discussion item is a presentation by LeeDOT of the Veterans/SB options. Click here for the meeting agenda.

UPDATE:
Read the News-Press story after the meeting: Council asks county to revisit road project.

APA FL event: Complete Streets: Lessons Learned 1/20 Luncheon Presentation

2012-01-14T12:47:00.004-05:00

You're invited to attend a presentation by Andy Getch, LeeDOT, entited "Complete Streets: Lessons Learned", at this month's APA FL Promised Lands Seciton Luncheon Series.The event will be held on Friday, Jan. 20th from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the SWFRPC building on 1926 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers. Please RSVP by Jan. 18th to Alexisc@waldropengineering.com.The event costs $5 (including pizza lunch) and 1 CM credit is pending approval.

Six Lee County Commuter Services Employer Partners Receive Regional and National Awards for Offering Commuter Benefits

2012-01-13T15:15:00.002-05:00

Submitted by Lauren Lane of Commuter Services Program

During the January 10, 2012 Lee County Board of County Commission ceremonial presentation to the Board recognizing “Commuter Services 2011 Awards,” six exemplary organizations were awarded for their efforts in shifting commuters drive-alone habits by offering a variety of commuter benefits.

The first award, the National Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC), was presented by Phil Winters Director, TDM Program at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). Best Workplaces for Commuters provides national recognition and elite designation to employers offering outstanding commuter benefits, as set by the National Center for Transit Research (NCTR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Commuter Services Gold and Platinum Level Partner Awards are determined by a set of regional criteria. These awards were presented by Commissioner and Commuter Services Ambassador Ray Judah, and the Florida Department of Transportation Program Manager Jan Parham and Commuter Services Program Director Christine Diaz. Commuter Services partners reaching Gold Level status have demonstrated a commitment to marketing, outreach and program development efforts. This includes participating in more than four outreach or transportation events and campaigns per year, offering incentives like preferred parking, transit subsidies, bike racks/showers, and alterative work schedules like compressed work weeks and teleworking programs, along with a high percentage of employee participation.

Commuter Services partners reaching Platinum Level status have provided exemplary commuter benefits beyond the Gold Level status. This includes programs that match the Best Workplaces for Commuters criteria, offer innovative commuter benefits, incorporate alternative transportation modes into Green Team/Sustainability efforts, and significantly reduce the number of drive-alone commuters. This award was presented to Kim Wheeler, Housing and Transportation Manager at South Seas Island Resort. Nearly 90% ofSouth Seas Island Resort employees use an alternative to drive alone commuting, whether participating in the company-sponsored vanpool program, choosing to live in onsite housing or taking advantage of carpooling.

Congratulations to the following Commuter Services partners and award recipients:

South Seas Island Resort
Commuter Services Platinum Level Partner
2011/2012 Best Workplace for Commuters
Accepted by: Kim Wheeler

Lee County Board of County Commissioners
Commuter Services Gold Level Partner
2011/2012 Best Workplace for Commuters
Accepted by: Commissioner and Commuter Services Ambassador Ray Judah and Tessa LeSage
Acknowledgements: Jan Cook, Rich Beck, Karen Hawes and Holly Schwartz

Lee County Clerk of Courts
Commuter Services Gold Level Partner
2011/2012 Best Workplace for Commuters
Accepted by: Karen Jaye and Linda Doggett
Acknowledgements: Judy Marcucci

Lee County DOT Operations
Commuter Services Gold Level Partner
2011/2012 Best Workplace for Commuters
Accepted by: Kathy Awiszus and staff
Acknowledgements: Jerry Cline, Doraine Wetzel and Clay Simmons

Florida Gulf Coast University
Commuter Services Gold Level Partner
Accepted by: Kathleen Crawford

Comcast Corporation
Commuter Services Gold Level Partner
Accepted by: Barbara Johnston
Acknowledgements: Angel Morrow, Kristi Flint and Hector Gonzalez

LeeTran opens long-awaited bus station at Edison Mall

2012-01-11T20:04:00.003-05:00

Kudos to LeeTran, the County Commissioners, FDOT, City of Fort Myers, and the Edison Mall management for working together over the past several years to finally bring this much needed and long-awaited new transit facility at Edison Mall.

News-Press, January 11, 2013
Written by
Dennis Culver

After years of planning and months of construction, the Lee County Transit Edison Mall station is open for business.

The new facility, which serves as a major transfer point for the bus system, has an eight-bay station with covered seating, a passenger restroom and is WiFi-enabled.

LeeTran held a ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the station, which has been in service since Jan. 3.

“It’s better than standing out here with not enough seats, and now everyone has a place to sit,” said Raymond Ramos, who goes through the Edison stop every day to get to school. “Not as many people will be out in the open and exposed to the weather.”

The project cost $1.25 million, and construction lasted about seven months. Fifty percent of the funding for the project came from a state grant, the other half from the county.

Joann Haley, marketing manager for LeeTran, said the new facility will better serve the patrons who travel through the stop on a daily basis. The Edison station is the busiest in the county; it services eight routes and sees more than 100 bus trips per day. About 250,000 of the estimated 3.2 million riders who use LeeTran every year travel through the facility.

The old bus stop only had three shelters that could accommodate fewer than a dozen people, exposing others to the elements while http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifthey waited for buses. There also were no bathroom facilities. The new facility has 64 seats and can accommodate about 130.

Mall manager Robert Edelen said he expects the new facility to benefit Edison and give customers using the bus system a better experience.

Click here to continue reading the article.

BikeWalkLee report on County Commission’s 1/10/11 action on Estero Blvd. design study

2012-01-10T16:32:00.002-05:00

At Tuesday’s BoCC meeting, the commissioners acted on LeeDOT’s proposal to provide a consultant for the preliminary design of the improvements to the Estero Boulevard corridor from the west end of San Carlos Bridge to the south end of Estero Island in Fort Myers Beach. The county solicited letters of interest, receiving 13, and presented the top 5 ranked firms. The Board authorized LeeDOT to negotiate with the number one ranked firm, TY Lin International. Commissioner Judah requested that the study evaluate the option of burying the utility lines, which could have the benefit of providing more right-of-way for bike/ped facilities.

At the meeting, Darla Letourneau on behalf of BikeWalkLee support in favor of the design study. She said that the design of this study is consistent with the new transportation planning process outlined in the complete streets implementation report and can serve as a model for how to plan holistically & engage the community. We are pleased to see that the study design will incorporate Lee County’s Complete Streets & Sustainability guidelines, that the consultant will take a corridor perspective, will be required to address the safety for all road users, look at capacity improvement, transit, drainage improvements and utility relocations.

Estero Blvd. is a key economic engine for the county, as it is located in the tourist destination of Fort Myers Beach; therefore, making this road work better for everyone should be a high priority for the county. With the limited ROW on this narrow barrier island, it is essential that the redesign of this area rely heavily on making it a pedestrian/bicycle/transit-friendly. Sanibel has proven that a safe and accessible path network can take cars off the road—an estimated 10% of all trips are taken by foot or bicycle. It’s also important that the FMB trolley study (discussed at the last MPO meeting) be an integral part of this study. It’s these alternative forms of transportation that are the key to improving access and safety to this area.

Over the past year, improvements to biking facilities from the outskirts of downtown Fort Myers Beach all the way to Bonita Beach Rd. in Bonita Springs have demonstrated the potential for improved biking and highlighted the need to fill the gap from San Carlos Blvd. to the other side of downtown FMB.

It is important that this study bring all the stakeholders to the table and engage the community in a new way. BikeWalkLee looks forward to participating in this effort to improve the Estero Blvd. corridor for all users and to make Fort Myers Beach a more walkable/bikeable community.

BikeWalkLee’s report from Complete Streets Implementation Report 1/9/12 presentation to County Commissioners

2012-01-09T21:59:00.002-05:00

As reported in our earlier blog post, today’s BoCC Management and Planning meeting included a presentation by Andy Getch of LeeDOT on the 2011 complete streets implementation report. Click here for the report.

Andy’s presentation highlighted the changes in the transportation planning process and the goal of making the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) more sustainable, incorporating complete streets, a transparent process for the public, & using the complete streets interdepartmental team approach. Staff’s goal is for full implementation of complete streets by 2014, when the Lee Plan amendments and related land develop code and administrative code amendments have been adopted.

The commissioners voiced support for the accomplishments to date and encouraged the staff to not wait until 2014 to implement the plan. Chairman Manning asked what the legal impediments were to implementing the plan in its totality now. He encouraged everyone to move forward now and suggested that he wants the issue to come back to the Board before the 2013 CIP. Commissioner Bigelow was interested in addressing retrofits needed on existing corridors, specifically Metro Parkway, Palomino Rd., and Fiddlesticks, as well as some needed improvements at bus stops. He also suggested that BoCC be factored into the decision-making process somewhere in the middle so that they had an opportunity for input. Commissioner Judah was interested in making sure that the Estero Blvd. project was going to be reviewed by the complete streets team.

Report by Darla Letourneau

Action Alert: Jan. 10th public workshop on LeeDOT's Veterans/Santa Barbara intersection improvements options

2012-01-04T09:04:00.003-05:00

Background: In early 2010, LeeDOT initiated a study for an overpass at the Veterans/Santa Barbara intersection in Cape Coral; however, as part of the MPO's deliberations on the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan in the Fall of 2010, the MPO Board voted to remove from the plan any flyovers along this road for the next 15 years. As a result of this action, LeeDOT revised its study to evaluate at grade options, along with an overpass option and a no-build option.

On December 14th, the County's Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) (based on reccommendations from its complete streets working group)recommended to the commissioners the following with respect to this project:
"LeeDOT study and present to the public at future meetings the 'no build' option for the Veterans/Santa Barbara interchange, including i)what other changes could improve traffic flow; ii)a detailed analysis of traffic projections by peak/non-peak hours and days; and iii)present information in a way that clearly outlines the choices between congestion and livability. The LeeDOT study should also factor into each option the implications for pedestrian crossings."
Click here for full report on CSAC recommendations.

Below is LeeDOT's announcement for the workshop:
Public Information Workshop
“OPEN HOUSE”

The Lee County Department of Transportation (LC DOT) is holding a public information workshop for the Veterans Memorial Parkway at Santa Barbara Boulevard Intersection Improvements Project from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at New Hope Baptist Church, 431 Nicholas Parkway, Cape Coral, FL. The public is invited to attend anytime between 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. to view the concept alternatives being considered to improve the intersection. The Lee County project team will be available to answer questions and take comments about the project. The meeting will be conducted in an “open house” format; no formal presentation will be given.

LC DOT has initiated this project to design an improvement to the Veterans Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard intersection. The project is intended to relieve traffic congestion now and through the 2035 design horizon, improve safety, and enhance east-west mobility and hurricane evacuation. Lee County is evaluating several at-grade build options, an overpass and a no build alternative for the intersection. All alternatives will consider cost, environmental impacts, impacts to businesses, alternative modes of transportation and safety.

Public Information Workshop
4:30-6:30 p.m. “OPEN HOUSE”
Tuesday, January 10, 2011
New Hope Baptist Church
431 Nicholas Parkway
Cape Coral, FL

NOTE: There will be a second opportunity for public input at the Jan. 18th Cape Coral Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting (made up of 4 council members), when LeeDOT presents the options to the TAC. That meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Cape City Hall Conference Room.

Dan Moser's Florida Weekly Column:New Year’s resolution: Get active for fun, exercise, and purpose

2012-01-04T08:51:00.003-05:00

Dan's column this week focuses on encouraging people to make physical activity a part of their daily lives. What better time to do this than the start of a new year?

Florida Weekly: Jan. 4, 2012
One obvious but often under-appreciated benefit of dog ownership is the inevitable and frequent walks taken with them. Not everyone will agree that it’s a benefit — especially in the middle of a sweltering summer day — but having a purpose for stepping outdoors and taking a stroll is truly beneficial to one’s physical and mental health, dog and human alike.

The neighborhood my wife, Maria, and I have lived in for 20 years now has quite a few dog owners, many who we’ve become acquainted with as a result of their daily ritual. Most are responsible in that they cleanup after their dogs do their business and follow basic safety rules, such as walking against traffic when not on the sidewalk. Being animal lovers, Maria and I often chat with these folks and their tethered friends whenever they pass by our home or when we happen upon them when we’re out on a run. What a great way to connect with our fellow citizens and visitors to our area.

Combining purpose with physical activity like dog-walking is just one example of an excellent way to start and keep-up healthy lifestyle routines. Why not make your trip to the post office or bank an opportunity to take a walk or bike ride instead of a drive? Or your next grocery or convenience store visit? When at work, walking to lunch, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and parking farther away rather than seeking the closest spot to the door are other effective examples of being active with a purpose and with little inconvenience.

An inexpensive and highly helpful piece of equipment that’s proven itself in getting folks to walk significantly more on a daily basis is the pedometer. Whether it’s the most basic step-counting version or one with all the bells and whistles, the feedback provided to the user really makes a difference. In particular, when a person first discovers just how little distance he covers each day as opposed to how much he thought he’d walked, and then finds that he can double, even triple, his distance with just a few changes, the transformation is remarkable. And, in many cases, the addiction — and all its benefits — begins.

As is the case with the pedometer and its effects on walking, the same passion for cycling can result from using a computer/ odometer on your bike, assuming you’ve first learned how to operate your bike safely and effectively. If you feel confident and comfortable on the road and sidepath, the knowledge of your distance traveled — which is replacing miles driven if you’re cycling for purpose — can serve as an excellent motivator. And like the pedometer, there are very basic models and those with multiple functions. In both cases, specific knowledge gained about your undertaking makes all the difference, so why not give them a try to help you fulfill your New Year’s resolution? But don’t use headphones, text, or otherwise shirk your responsibility to be smart and safe when mixing it up in traffic, whether on foot or in the saddle.

Advocacy update

BikeWalkLee was among the three finalists for the annual News- Press “Hero” award, citing progress made in 2011 toward improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists on specific road projects. Since coming into being in 2009, BWL’s effectiveness is due to the fact that it’s a true coalition made up of almost 40 members, comprised of individuals and organizations, and the tireless efforts of two steering committee members in particular: Darla Letourneau and Margaret Banyan. Many others also play crucial roles, but without the research and follow-up these two dedicated volunteers do day-in and day-out BWL wouldn’t be nearly as effective. Thanks to everyone who has a hand in seeing our communities’ roadways become complete streets, thus reversing decades of inequitable treatment for anyone who’s not in a car or truck.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and trails.

— Dan Moser is a league cycling and CyclingSavvy instructor and programs director for the Florida Bicycle Association who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. He can be contacted at dan@floridabicycle.org or 334- 6417.

in the know

Running/Walking:

>> River, Roots, & Ruts Half & 5K, Sunday,
Jan. 8, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva
(www.rrrtrail.com)
>> Naples Daily News Half, Sunday, Jan. 15,
Downtown Naples (www.gcrunner.org)

For more Lee County running events, visit Fort Myers Track Club (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Racing (www.3dracinginc.com). For Naples/Collier running info, it’s the Gulf Coast Runners (www.gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.com. Walkers can visit www.meetup.com/ Walking-SWFL.

Cycling & Other Events:

>> CyclingSavvy: Truth & Techniques classroom
session, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Wednesday,
Jan 11, Fort Myers (cyclingsavvy.org)
>> CyclingSavvy: Train Your Bike parking lot
session, , 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday,
Jan. 14, Fort Myers (cyclingsavvy.org)
>> CyclingSavvy: Urban Tour session,
12:30 - 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 14,
Fort Myers (cyclingsavvy.org)
>> Tour de Cape: Sunday, Jan. 22, Cape
Harbour, Cape Coral (www.capeparks.com)

Invite to Jan. 11th LeeTran opening of Edison Mall station

2012-01-03T18:12:00.000-05:00

Florida Weekly's Best of 2011 honors Dan Moser

2012-01-01T17:38:00.002-05:00

Florida Weekly, December 28, 2011

FRANCE HAS THE TOUR. ITALY HAS TRAINS. ENGLAND HAS THE CANAL systems and Germany has the autobahns. But there is only one good way to travel our whimsical slip of subtropical coastline, stretching from south of Marco Island to north of Punta Gorda.

That’s right: By following Florida Weekly’s “Best Of.”

Here, you’ll see where and how to taste that vibrant American flavor called Southwest Florida. From mustaches to martinis, from real estate to righteous role models, from schmoozers to boozers to beautiful people, from city to country and fine dining to diner wining, we’ll point the way.

We’re not offering a review. We’re providing a parade of culture, a map you won’t get from the Chamber of Commerce. Good luck, have fun, and please accept the best of our good wishes for 2011.

BEST ADVOCATE WHO WON’T GIVE UP

Dan Moser

If you’ve ever ridden the terrific bike paths or bike lanes in Lee County you’ve got but one person to thank: Dan Moser. Mr. Moser, who writes a biweekly pedestrian and biking column in Florida Weekly, has been a dogged advocate for those traversing Lee County on foot or by pedal power. He is a founding member of BikeWalkLee and serves on its steering group. Actually, he’s on so many committees and boards throughout the county and state — all advocating for the rights and safety of walkers and bikers — that we’ve lost track. So, if you see him wheeling down the street on his faithful Trek bike, give him a “thumbs up.” He deserves it.

News-Press features finalists for award, including BikeWalkLee

2011-12-27T05:55:00.002-05:00

Meet The News-Press' 'Heroes 2011' finalists

December 27, 2011

The finalists for The News-Press’ “Heroes 2011” have a proven track record of service to the Southwest Florida community. Their works range from helping the poorest among us to seeking to make the area safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Their efforts have yielded results, praise and new followers who plan to continue moving their agendas forward.

BikeWalkLee

Florida is a dangerous place for pedestrians and cyclists — 5,163 pedestrians have been killed over the last decade at an estimated cost of $22.2 billion.

BikeWalkLee formed in 2009 precisely to work to make roads safer and more user friendly in this outdoor friendly community.

Their efforts have paid off and the group, made of cycling enthusiasts, retirees, professors and others, have wielded considerable influence in persuading Lee County and Fort Myers to adopt “Complete Streets” resolutions that ensure that road planning includes bicycle lanes, sidewalks and greater transit options. Results include work being done on the State Road 82 widening, from Ortiz Avenue to Colonial Boulevard, the Six Mile Cypress Parkway widening and the new Matlacha Bridge.

Due to its work, BikeWalkLee now counts on 38 supporter organizations ranging from cyclists clubs like the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club and Bonita Bay Bicycle Club to large organizations like Lee Memorial Health System, AARP of Florida, Audubon Society of Southwest Florida and FGCU.

Lee County administration plans to update county commissioners on Complete Streets implementation in early January.

“The policy achievements we’ve seen in the past three years are a result of a broad based public engagement and coalition-building effort,” said BikeWalkLee steering committee member Darla LeTourneau.

Visit the website bikewalklee.org or call for more information. Or contact Dan Moser at 334-6417 or dmoser@bikewalklee.org, or Darla Letourneau at 472-1179 or dletourneau@ bikewalklee.org

Dan Moser's Florida Weekly Column:Kids and adults could all stand to learn some traffic skills

2011-12-22T07:06:00.003-05:00

This week's Moser column highlights that kids aren't getting the necessary sound traffic habits from schools or homes, and outlines local opportunities for such training.

Florida Weekly, December 21, 2011
by Dan Moser
Learning to ride a bike, for most people, is a rite of passage that usually happens early in life. Even sooner than climbing on a bicycle, one is a pedestrian who begins to interact in traffic, whether that traffic consists of other pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles of all shapes and sizes, or, more likely, a combination of all of these. Considering the regularity of each and every person’s relationship with traffic throughout life, it’s obviously important that lessons to teach safe and cordial behavior be taught beginning at the earliest possible opportunity.

But contrary to expectations — and probably to no one’s surprise — most parents, caregivers and schools fail to do what’s necessary to help children build sound traffic habits that stick with them throughout their lives. For parents and other caregivers, this includes practicing safe, courteous behavior themselves when walking, cycling, and driving with their children. Schools, including pre-schools and after school programs, should make it a routine part of their curriculum's. And youth organizations could incorporate it into the activities they offer.

I’m writing this column a day after co instructing a pedestrian and bicycle training program for physical education teachers that gives them the tools needed to do just what is mentioned above: incorporate traffic safety into the curriculum on an ongoing basis. As a regional trainer for Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program (http://hhp.ufl.edu/safety), a resource for communities and schools that comes at no cost to them, I see real potential. But over the years — and after training many teachers and community educators, I’m disappointed that not nearly as many utilize the program as intended — as an ongoing part of physical education classes or youth programs. There are a number of reasons for this lack of focus, including so many competing interests vying for time, so it takes real commitment to make traffic safety education a priority focus area.

Beyond educational opportunities FTBSEP provides, there exist quite a few other options. Following is a rundown of what’s available locally — you may contact me for more information or with additional resources, questions and suggestions:

1. Lee County EMS has a trailer with 25-30 bikes and other equipment necessary to conduct hands-on bike skills training sessions that’s available to just about any organization, school, church or program in Lee County that gets its staff and volunteers trained. The training and trailer use (and transport) are free.

2, Also available through Lee County EMS is a variety of pedestrian and bicycle safety education choices, including presentations, trainings, exhibits, and other offerings, customized to the audience’s needs. These, too, are free within Lee County. Bike helmets for those who cannot afford to purchase them are sometimes available as well.

3. Florida Bicycle Association (www.floridabicycle.org) offers its adult-level CyclingSavvy program (www.cyclingsavvy. org) that charges a modest fee and is available whenever there’s enough demand.

4. League of American Bicyclists (www.bikeleague.org) has a similar fee-based program, Traffic Skills, that’s also offered locally when demand dictates.

5. School resource officers are often very helpful, as are fire departments and other public safety agencies. Check with your local provider to see what’s available in your neighborhood.

6. For safety materials in bulk, you can visit Florida’s Pedestrian and Bicycling Safety Resource Center (www.pedbikesrc.ce.ufl.edu). Florida Department of Transportation’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Office (www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/ped_bike.shtm) is your source for expert advice on technical matters related to Florida traffic law and facility design, among other things.

I’m sometimes accused of being a safety nerd, but I’m actually more concerned with people feeling good about using our public ways in whatever mode they choose, including those in their motor vehicles. For that to happen, we must first progress from considerate, safety-minded pedestrians, then move on to the same type of bicyclist, who will in turn, lead us to be better drivers who are concerned for not only our own well-being but also for all others with whom we share public space. Unfortunately, based on behavior witnessed each and every day — distracted, aggressive, inconsiderate, and sometimes even seemingly suicidal motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians — this progression just isn’t happening, at least not around here.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and trails. ¦

— Dan Moser is a league cycling and CyclingSavvy instructor and programs director for the Florida Bicycle Association who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. He can be contacted at dan@floridabicycle.org or 334- 6417.

in the know

Running/Walking:

>> River, Roots, & Ruts Half & 5K, Sunday,
Jan. 8, Caloosahatchee Regional Park,
Alva (www.rrrtrail.com)
>> Naples Daily News Half, Sunday, Jan. 15,
Downtown Naples (www.gcrunner.org)

For more Lee County running events, visit Fort Myers Track Club (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Racing (www.3dracinginc.com). For Naples/Collier running info, it’s the Gulf Coast Runners (www.gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.com. Walkers can visit www.meetup.com/ Walking-SWFL.

Cycling & Other Events:

>> CyclingSavvy: Truth & Techniques classroom
session, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Wednesday,
Jan 11, Fort Myers (cyclingsavvy.org)
>> CyclingSavvy: Train Your Bike parking lot
session, , 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday,
Jan. 14, Fort Myers (cyclingsavvy.org)
>> CyclingSavvy: Urban Tour session,
12:30 - 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 14,
Fort Myers (cyclingsavvy.org)
>> Tour de Cape: Sunday, Jan. 22, Cape
Harbour, Cape Coral (www.capeparks.com)

Guest opinion: Sens. Nelson, Rubio agree: All Floridians deserve safe roads

2011-12-21T02:38:00.005-05:00

News-Press
December 21, 2011
by Darla Letourneau of BikeWalkLee

Amidst the partisan rancor in Washington, there was a ray of bipartisan hope that deserves to be highlighted. On Dec. 14, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed its section of the federal transportation bill and included a measure to make our streets safer for all users.

This provision was adopted unanimously with the support of Florida’s two senators — Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mario Rubio — both of whom sit on this committee.

This action is especially important for Florida because our state is the most dangerous state in the nation when it comes to pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities.

Over the last decade, 5,163 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed in Florida. According to the National Safety Council, each traffic death has a comprehensive cost of $4.3 million, which means these Florida fatalities have cost a total of $22.2 billion.

Two-thirds of these fatalities occurred on roads built or maintained with federal aid. This provision, if included in the final transportation bill, will ensure highways built with federal funds accommodate all users, by establishing a national policy to address safety for all users — a policy that will help save lives and money.

This federal safe streets policy will mean that federally funded road projects in Florida must meet federal standards to safely accommodate all road users.

A new Florida state policy implementing these standards would complement the efforts currently under way in 16 communities in Florida (including Lee County) to develop and implement complete streets policies.

These local policies ensure that agencies routinely design and operate our transportation system to enable safe access for drivers, transit users and vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as for older people, children and people with disabilities. We know that streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users are safer for everyone.

BikeWalkLee is proud of Lee County elected officials — acting through the Lee Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Lee Board of County Commissioners and the Fort Myers City Council — for the strong support they have shown for complete streets and a more balanced multi-modal transportation system. Lee County’s efforts to make our roads safer for all users, using a complete streets approach, have underscored the value of this approach and the need for a federal policy. Our local governments are working to make our streets safer, but they only control the local roads, not the state roads. A federal policy that applies to federally-funded roads would help close the gap.

Having a federal policy that complements the local complete streets policies would further the ability of state and local governments to enact programs designed to spend transportation funds more wisely by increasing transportation choices for all of our citizens, improving public health, and developing new economic opportunities.

The congressional process of developing and enacting a new transportation bill is in the early stages, so there are many more steps to go before this provision becomes law. However, we are heartened by the Senate Commerce Committee’s bipartisan support for making our streets safer for all users.

We applaud Florida’s two U.S. senators for reaching across the aisle in support of a measure that will benefit all Floridians. Working in a bipartisan way to reverse Florida’s ranking as the most dangerous state in the country for both pedestrians and cyclists is a hopeful sign.

We encourage all Florida’s members of Congress to build on this initial and important success and come together to enact innovative and long overdue transportation legislation for the 21st century.

- Darla Letourneau serves on the steering committee for BikeWalkLee, a community coalition advocating for complete streets in Lee County — streets designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. See more online at BikeWalkLee.org.

In search of BikeWalkLee representative for Fort Myers Beach

2011-12-19T19:16:00.003-05:00

Do you live in Fort Myers Beach,or know someone who does, who is passionate about biking and walking and wants to help make improvements in your community? Then maybe you would be interested in being BikeWalkLee's representative in Fort Myers Beach. Please contact Darla at dletourneau@bikewalklee.org if you might be interested.

BikeWalkLee has been involved in advocacy on a countywide basis, participating in all the Lee County MPO meetings and committees, and in the Board of County Commission committees and hearings. The MPO is a countywide transportation planning body and includes representatives from each of the local jurisdictions. The BoCC and county government covers the unincorporated portions of Lee County. While the majority of transportation decisions that affect bike/ped/transit facilities and complete streets policies are made in these two bodies, the local jurisdictions (Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel) also make bike/ped decisions on their local roads as well as influence decisions on county maintained roads.

In February 2011, BikeWalkLee announced its representatives/reporters in each of these jurisdictions. These individuals serve as our “point persons” who lead the local advocacy efforts and keep the BWL network informed about what’s happening in their jurisdiction. Great things are happening in the local jurisdictions and our local representatives are in the thick of things. Become part of a winning team!

BikeWalkLee’s report from Lee County Planning Agency (LPA) meeting Dec. 16, 2011

2011-12-18T17:41:00.001-05:00

Report by Ann Pierce, BWL

At the latest LPA meeting, four new position papers were discussed as part of the ongoing process to review and update the County's comprehensive plan - Horizon 2035 Lee Plan.
The first paper summarized an extensive,national market research report, based on characteristics of the five generational categories represented here in Lee County. This research gave emphasis to each of two other papers addressing I-75 Interchanged Developments and Mixed-Use Development.

Florida and its economy having depended upon a steady influx of newcomers, now finds itself at a point where well-researched, intelligent, critical decisions must be made for its future economic viability. Fully 88% of surveyed baby boomers say they do not plan to relocate, but will instead age in place. Further, for those who do relocate to warmer climes, Florida is no longer the first choice. It concludes that most of the retiring boomers who will be here in 2035 are already living here. Findings also indicate that generations X and Y are quite unlikely to move far from where they've grown up. County planning could best be focused on accommodating the large number of existing retirees, while seeking to retain younger generations, specifically the many thousands graduating from FGCU.

Both generations X and Y,expressing far less interest in automobile ownership or operation than previous generations, had a marked preferences for bicycling, walking, urban experiences and interface with the natural environment. Baby boomers, however, desiring to maintain functional mobility and independence,appear to fully intend to continue driving. But, Federal Highway safety data presents a chilling forecast with such a scenario. These drivers, as they age, are much more likely to be involved in multi-vehicle and fatal crashes, with predictions that 25% of fatal accidents will be caused by these older drivers.

What does this mean for Lee County? That creative visioning and a holistic coordination in land use and transportation planning will be required. A decreased interest in suburban style single-family homes and the accompanying auto dependency is evident. There is an expressed increase in higher density, mixed-use centers that provide access to living, work, health care, educational and shopping opportunities, accommodated by a variety safe transportation modes. Such developments would help to maintain the surrounding natural environments valued by the younger generations. For retirees, who may be forced, by regulation or insurance rates, to give up driving sooner than anticipated, denser mixed-use living can offer freedom of mobility without an automobile, while extensions of transit and bike/ped facilities will need to be made throughout existing areas of development.

Examining the nine current, grade-separated I-75 interchanges may offer locations for these future higher density, transit oriented development (TOD) centers to develop. With low density accommodations for the through-traveler closest to the interstate, and transit stations with bike/ped oriented, mixed-use, high-density development just beyond.
An assessment of future development in Lehigh Acres was the subject of the final paper. Here again, community representatives and planning staff are searching for ways to develop a few higher density commercial nodes within the area. Alternative forms of transportation in and around Lehigh and connecting it to the rest of the County will remain of paramount importance.

It was evident that adjusting our past course of transportation and land use planning and development will take active participation from all sectors of our community. There will be considerable inertia to overcome within a milieu of economic uncertainty. Yet, it is clear we can no longer afford to continue with more of the same. A few forward thinking communities around the country have already begun to establish comprehensive Aging in Place Action Plans, preparing themselves logistically, socially and economically for the wave of the aging baby boom generation.

BikeWalkLee finalist for News-Press "People of Year" Award

2011-12-18T06:27:00.004-05:00

BikeWalkLee is proud to be one of the finalists for the News-Press "People of the Year" award! (one of three finalists in the "Heroes" category) Thanks to our team of tireless advocates, our 34 coalition partner organizations, the elected officials, staff, and various committees of Lee County governments that have helped make Lee County streets safer and more accessible for all users.

News-Press, December 18, 2011
Editorial: People of
the Year Finalists

Today The News-Press editorial board
presents finalists for its People of the
Year/People to Watch awards.

The editorial board received dozens of
nominations from the public and also made
recommendations for nominations.

On Nov. 20, we published a list of 60
nominees on these pages representing
community, government, business, the arts,
service, veterans and sports.

Each person or group is well deserving.
The finalists below were selected by the
editorial board leadership based upon
community impact, particularly in 2011,
and potential for success in 2012.

The five categories are People of the Year,
People to Watch, Heroes, Trailblazers and
Public Officials.

The News-Press will announce the award
winners at a reception Jan. 19 called
“People of the Year: Making a Difference”
at the Sidney and Berne Davis Arts Center
in Fort Myers.
.....
Now, here are the finalists and a little info
about why we selected them:

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR

BikeWalkLee

This organization has tirelessly advocated
for a safer community for pedestrians and
cyclists.

The 14-member steering committee was
successful in persuading the Lee County
Commission to adopt a “Complete Streets”
resolution in 2009 to include pedestrian
and bike paths in road planning. An
update on “Complete Streets”
implementation will be presented to
commissioners in January.

Cities and planning organizations have
endorsed new bike lanes.

The group’s goals include freedom of
choice in transportation, active recreation
and greater public dialogue.

Stories of cyclist and pedestrian fatalities
and injuries are constant in Southwest
Florida, and in May BikeWalkLee was
among the groups represented in the
annual Ride of Silence sponsored by
Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club of Southwest
Florida to honor victims.

Steering committee members include
Margaret Banyan, professor at Florida Gulf
Coast University.

Click here to read about the other finalists.

News-Press: Sidewalk studies go full steam ahead

2011-12-18T05:54:00.004-05:00

Today's article focuses on studies underway in Collier County about walkability in various North Naples neighborhoods, and quotes the Naples Pathways Coalition's Michele Avola about the importance of walkability. The article also mentions Lee County conditions and quotes Dan Moser of BikeWalkLee.

News-Press, Dec. 18, 2011

A North Naples community that local
officials say is in need of mobility
improvements will be examined this spring
as Collier County reaches the halfway point
in a six-area walkable communities study.

A Metropolitan Planning Organization-
commissioned study of Naples Park will
look at elements such as lighting, benches
and routes to and from bus stops,
businesses and other key destinations,
principal planner Lorraine Lantz said.

The study follows an examination of Naples
Manor that was completed in 2010 as well
as an Immokalee report the MPO adopted
last week.

The studies, scheduled in order of need,
could bring more funding for street
improvements, Lantz said. Golden Gate
City, Naples and Marco Island will follow
Naples Park, with a goal of completing two
studies per year.

The Immokalee report found 63 percent of
the community’s 73 miles of public streets
have no sidewalks.

The area received an overall “C” grade for
categories that included continuity of bike
lanes and sidewalks to visual appeal and
crosswalks. Naples Manor earned a “D”
overall with only a portion of one of its 31
streets containing sidewalks on both sides.

The Naples Manor study was completed
in-house, while the county paid Naples-
based RWA Consulting almost $18,000 for
work on the Immokalee report, with some
data compiled in-house, county
spokeswoman Connie Deane said. The
remaining four studies will use consultants
and each should cost between $40,000
and $50,000.

The Naples Park study is scheduled nine
years after Coral Gables-based Dover,
Kohl & Partners presented a plan for
Naples Park — which was developed in the
1950s and lies west of U.S. 41 — that the
county did not adopt.

The plan suggested pedestrian and bicycle
connections, elements such as
roundabouts, connections to commercial
areas such as those on Vanderbilt Beach
Road and U.S. 41, and sidewalks on all
streets.

Sidewalks run along main thoroughfares in
the 3,000-home community, but not on the
majority of roads.

“There are a ton of kids there. So many of
them are walking in the street,” said
Michelle Avola, executive director for the
Naples Pathways Coalition.

Walkable communities, Avola said, can help
relieve traffic congestion as seniors age
and in a country where about 50 percent of
trips are three miles or less, according to a
2008 National Household Transportation
survey.

“The solution to our traffic nightmare is not
adding more lanes,” Avola said. “It’s
providing resources for pedestrians and
cyclists as well. Get some people out of
their cars safely.”

Cyclist Maria Hoyt bikes through Naples
Park along Vanderbilt Drive, south of B
luebill Avenue to Vanderbilt Beach Road.
Although Hoyt said vehicles travel fairly
slow, she tries to avoid the road when
possible.

“It is very dangerous,” she said of
Vanderbilt Drive, which the NPC included
on a list of priority improvements it has
submitted to the county. “There is no bike
lane and the roadway is very narrow.”

The nearby entrance area for Mercato also
lacks accessibility, said Avola and Stacy
Revay, healthy communities coordinator for
the Collier County Health Department.

“Mercato has done a pretty good job, but
that’s just inside Mercato,” Revay said.
“There’s no sidewalk that extends into the
development.”

Naples earns an overall walkability score of
46 out of 100 from Walk Score, a national
website that promotes walkable cities. Fort
Myers’ score is 43. Scores under 50 are
considered car-dependent communities.

With a score of 11, Lehigh Acres ranks as
the third least walkable community in the
state, after The Acreage in Palm Beach
County and Poinciana, straddling Osceola
and Polk counties. Miami Beach ranks No.
1 with a score of 75.

Lehigh’s major roadways are not very
pedestrian or cyclist-friendly, said Dan
Moser, a founding member of BikeWalkLee.
College Parkway and Cypress Lake Drive in
south Fort Myers also are in need of
improvements.

Overall, Collier and Lee — which in 2009
adopted the National Complete Streets
Coalition’s roadway standards — are
similar in terms of accessibility, Moser said.

“Both places have pockets of pretty good
access,” he said. “Other parts of the
counties are lacking.”

Holiday ride: 20 needy Immokalee students receive bikes for Christmas

2011-12-17T06:54:00.004-05:00

Kudos to two of BikeWalkLee's supporter organizations, the Sanibel Bicycle Club and Billy's Rentals, for bringing holiday cheer through bicycles to needy Immokalee students.

Naples Daily News
December 17, 2011
By TRACY X. MIGUEL

Mauro Miranda reached a hand across a flatbed deck full of bicycles on Friday morning.

The fourth grader claimed his bike the minute the 40 bicycles arrived by truck at Immokalee Community School, a Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) charter school.

"I'm going to get a bike," the 9-year-old said, rubbing his hands together with glee.

Mauro was one of 20 Immokalee Community School students who received an early Christmas gift — spruced up bicycles from the Sanibel Bicycle Club. Mauro plans to use his green, Next Shocker 2G mountain bike to ride to the park and ride with his father to the store, he said.

This is the fifth year the Sanibel Bicycle Club teamed up with Billy's Rentals, a bicycle rental business on Sanibel, to organize a used and refurbished bicycle donation for Immokalee residents. And for the past three years the majority of the bicycles have been given to students of the charter school, 123 N. Fourth St., which serves children of migrant farmworkers and other low-income families.

"This is always exciting," said Gloria Padilla, a coordinator for RCMA's Naples, Immokalee and Bonita Springs area. "It means a lot to them."

She explained that many of the students have no idea their parents are struggling to make a living, especially with the sluggish economy. The school selected the neediest families to be recipients of the bicycles, Padilla said.

If it wasn't for Sanibel Bicycle Club, Billy's Rentals and RCMA, Alma Rivas' children wouldn't receive a Christmas present this year.

"It's sad," Rivas, a farmworker, said in Spanish. "I told my children that there was no money for Christmas presents."

Rivas is a mother of five young children: fifth grader Axel Rivas, 11; third grader Alex Gonzalez, 9; second grader Luis Gonzalez, 7; Samantha Gonzalez, 3; and Denise Gonzalez, 1.

"I'm happy, because my kids will be happy that they have a bike," said Rivas, who received two bicycles.

The group distributed 20 bikes at the school. The other 20 were evenly donated to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the Immokalee community.

The bicycle giveaway is a nice way to give back to the community, said Billy's Rentals' owner Billy Kirkland. His business provides everything from inner tubes and tires to seats.

"When I was a young kid I was a recipient like these kids, and now with my business it allows me to give back," Kirkland said. "Let's face it, what are the holidays for? It's not for you and I. It's for the kids."

In Immokalee, many of the residents use bikes as their primary mode of transportation.

"I call that one," Sonia Domingo, 10, yelled while waiting for the bicycles to be unloaded from the truck.

The Immokalee Community School fourth grader selected bikes for her brother and father rather than for herself. She plans to give her father an orange, aluminum frame Caloi mountain bike for the holidays.

Carol Lugo carefully selected two bikes for her 10-year-old twin sons, Jimmy and Daniel. Now, Lugo's sons will be able to ride their bicycles to school rather than walk.

"It will help them a lot," she said.

BikeWalkLee’s report from MPO meeting Dec. 16, 2011

2011-12-16T19:43:00.001-05:00

At the December 16th MPO meeting, several topics were discussed of interest to the BikeWalkLee network. BikeWalkLee’s representative, Darla Letourneau, spoke at the meeting in support of the MPO’s staff proposal to include in the planning work plan a task to run land use scenarios ahead of the next major update of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). BikeWalkLee is a strong supporter of scenario analysis of options to better inform decision-making on transportation planning. Letourneau suggested that part of this analysis incorporate changes to the current “level of service” methodologies so that the county begins to move from a congestion mitigation paradigm to looking at ways to build communities through transportation. Doing land use scenarios now, while Lee County and local jurisdictions are in various stages of considering land use changes, can assist all the players in finalizing their plans by showing how various land use options can affect transportation goals and plans.

During the MPO Board discussion of FDOT’s consultant’s presentation of its Advanced Traffic Management System, Councilman Flanders (City of Fort Myers) suggested that an alternative approach to dealing with intersection congestion was to use roundabouts. Flanders talked about the 76 roundabouts in Indianapolis, IN, that that saved $4 million in gas, reduced rive time by 25%, drastically reduced head-on collisions, and reduce intersection maintenance costs by 85%. There was support from other board members for using more roundabouts in Lee County. Commissioner Judah recommended that the MPO assess where roundabouts could be placed in the county. It was agreed that the first step would be to have the MPO committees consider the issue (starting with the Traffic Operations Management Committee) before bringing it back to the MPO Board.

The second major topic of discussion was the FDOT consultant’s Fort Myers Beach Trolley Lane Feasibility Analysis. The consultants developed five alternatives, most of which include bike lanes. The alternative that scores the best in terms of cost/benefit, is the alternative that incorporates a road diet concept, along with bike lanes. Board members had many questions and concerns about this analysis. The next step is for an Alternatives Analysis, that will include extensive public involvement. Stay tuned.

BikeWalkLee also reported to the Board on two developments coming out of Washington:
1. TIGER III grant awards. (See BikeWalkLee’s earlier blog posts for details). Letourneau requested that the staff ask USDOT for a de-brief so they we could learn the weaknesses of our application so we would be better positioned for the future.
2. Senate Commerce Committee bipartisan action on a safe streets policy(i.e. complete streets) provision. (See BikeWalkLee’s earlier blog posts for details.) Both FL Senators Nelson and Rubio are to be congratulated for their support.

Beginning in January, the MPO Board meetings will be held at the Cape Coral City Council Chambers and be carried on live TV. The next meeting is Friday, January 20th.

Report by Darla Letourneau

Lee County’s Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) makes recommendations to commissioners on sustainability and transportation projects

2011-12-15T19:18:00.006-05:00

The purpose of the Lee County sustainability committee is to provide recommendation to the Lee County BoCC to achieve community sustainability, livability and smart growth. The County’s Complete Streets Resolution adopted by the Commission in 2009 was drafted by this committee and presented to the Board for action. Part of the committee’s mandate is to oversee the implementation of complete streets. To accomplish this, the CSAC set up a complete streets working group to collaborate with staff and bring recommendations to the Committee for their consideration.

As part of that process, over the past 18 months, the CSAC working group (Dr. Margaret Banyan, Chair of CSAC, Darla Letourneau & Dan Moser) has reviewed resurfacing contract projects for complete streets opportunities. As part of the revised transportation and planning process finalized this Fall, the complete streets review is now moving into road projects on the county’s Capital Infrastructure Program (CIP)—LeeDOT’s 5-year funding plan. Last month, the group reviewed two LeeDOT road projects-- the Alico Road Alignment Study, and the Veterans/Santa Barbara Blvd. interchange options--and reported to the committee at its December 14th meeting. Through this process, it became clear to us that implementing complete streets requires a variety of planning tools, including those that can assess projects for their sustainability. As a result of this discussion, the CSAC passed the following motion on December 14th:

Lee County should:
1. Develop and incorporate transportation sustainability criteria and measures to evaluate and guide the funding, planning, design, and implementation of each new and substantial/major widening projects through the Sustainability Assessment; and
2. Prioritize adoption of sustainable transportation criteria and measures in the sustainability planning process (Milestone 2 – Set Sustainability Goals); and
3. Specifically for those projects that must be planned in the interim
a) The Lee County BoCC fund a plan for the Research Diamond area that outlines a future vision for land use and transportation prior to selecting a design option and
b) Lee DOT study and present to the public at future meetings the ‘no build’ option for the Veterans/Santa Barbara interchange, including, i) what other changes could improve traffic flow; ii) a detailed analysis of traffic projections by peak/non-peak hours and days; and iii) present information in a way that clearly outlines the choices between congestion and livability. The Lee DOT study should also factor into each option the implications for pedestrian crossings.

We look forward to working with Lee County and appreciate the hard work of the Complete Streets Team and LDOT. This is a challenging, but exciting, learning process that promises innovative and beneficial outcomes.

The Case for Congestion

2011-12-15T14:39:00.003-05:00

This recent article in The Atlantic Cities raises an important point that's relevant to Lee County: "This doesn't mean that cities should strive for congestion, but they should recognize that traffic is often a sign of dynamism."

Atlantic Cities, 12/15/11
By John Norquist

Yogi Berra once said, "nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded."

It’s certainly true that people complain about congestion. Yet it’s just as true that popular destinations tend to be crowded. Fifth Avenue in New York, Market Street in San Francisco, Chicago’s Michigan Avenue and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills are all congested, but people keep coming back to shop or hang out.

Congestion, in the urban context, is often a symptom of success.

If people enjoy crowded places, it seems a bit strange that federal and state governments continue to wage a war against traffic congestion. Despite many hundreds of billions dollars spent increasing road capacity, they've not yet won; thank God. After all, when the congestion warriors have won, the results aren’t often pretty. Detroit, for example, has lots of expressways and widened streets and suffers from very little congestion. Yet no one would hold up Detroit as a model.

Congestion is a bit like cholesterol - if you don’t have any, you die

After all, congestion is a bit like cholesterol - if you don’t have any, you die. And like cholesterol, there’s a good kind and a bad kind. Congestion measurements should be divided between through-traffic and traffic that includes local origins or destinations, the latter being the "good kind." Travelers who bring commerce to a city add more value than someone just driving through, and any thorough assessment of congestion needs to be balanced with other factors such as retail sales, real estate value and pedestrian volume.

Fighting traffic congestion by merely adding more road capacity is what Lewis Mumford called a "monochromatic" approach. In his critique of the Texas Transportation Institute’s "2010 Urban Mobility Report," University of Connecticut engineering professor Norman Garrick wrote that "TTI lost sight of the fact that a transportation system affects almost all aspects of daily life and that its value should not be judged purely on the basis of how well it affords the speedy movement of vehicles." In doing such, we fail to recognize the way traditional streets shape successful, self-reliant and stimulating places.

Garrick's research points out that just 21 percent of average household income is spent on transportation in the state of New York, while 41 percent of average household income goes towards transport costs, almost all related to driving motor vehicles, in Mississippi. And in a political paradox, knowing how each state tends to vote, Garrick notes that New York is far less dependent on the federal government for its transportation budget, with only 15 percent of its funds coming from Washington. In contrast, Mississippi relies on federal largesse for 41 percent of its total transportation budget.

Early in my time as mayor of Milwaukee, my Public Works director and his staff of traffic engineers came to me with a $58 million proposal for adding right turn lanes to "congested" intersections. The plan involved significant property demolition. I asked if they planned on drawing their pensions after retirement. They looked at me strangely, and then answered yes. I replied, "Then why do you want to destroy the tax base that supports your pension?"

From that day forward, they understood the necessity of balancing their need for faster speed with the fact that people need street corridors not only to travel, but also to shop and socialize. Attempts to accommodate through-traffic by widening streets can destroy the surrounding value of a neighborhood. When the amount of property value or retail sales is part of the cost benefit calculation, road-widening starts to look like a dubious investment.
......

This doesn’t mean that cities should strive for congestion, but they should recognize that traffic is often a sign of dynamism. Moving vehicular traffic is obviously a necessary function, but by making it the only goal, cities lose out on the economic potential created by the crowds of people that bring life to a city.

With governments at all levels short on cash, maybe its time to broaden the goals for streets, going beyond just moving vehicles. It’s time to retire the expressway in an urban context. It should be replaced with a system that examines the performance of street networks, including transit where relevant, and considers economic and social value along with vehicle distribution. It should be a system that measures the value and effectiveness of a city’s street network, a street vitality index. If Departments of Transportation and local governments take a closer look, they may find value in congestion. After all, real estate prices seem to confirm that preference. And shouldn’t our infrastructure reflect that and add value to the place where it is built?

To read the full article, click on the link in the title.
Image courtesy of Kenn Chaplin via Flickr

USDOT Announces TIGER III grant awards--Lee MPO's complete street initiative proposal not among winners

2011-12-15T13:46:00.003-05:00

BikeWalkLee is disappointed that the Lee MPO's application for a $10 million grant for its complete streets initiative was not among the 46 winning projects out of the 848 applications. It is exciting to see that $64 million of complete streets projects were funded. Twenty of the 46 winning projects have bike/ped/complete streets components and/or benefits for pedestrians and cyclists.

We will continue to push for funding of the components of Lee County's complete streets initiative through other funding sources. We want to again thank the MPO Board, staff, local jurisdictions and the 47 organizations that wrote letters in support of this grant application. The broad community community for this initiative will help us move forward on implement ion of the county's bike/ped master plan and its broader complete streets vision.

USDOT Press Release
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Secretary LaHood Announces Funding for 46 Innovative Transportation Projects Through Third Round of Popular TIGER Program
Job-Creating Grants Announced Months Ahead of Schedule as Part of the Obama Administration’s “We Can’t Wait” Initiative

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today that 46 transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico will receive a total of $511 million from the third round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s popular TIGER program. The announcement comes months ahead of schedule, and will allow communities to move forward with critical, job-creating infrastructure projects including road and bridge improvements; transit upgrades; freight, port and rail expansions; and new options for bicyclists and pedestrians.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) received 848 project applications from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, requesting a total of $14.29 billion, far exceeding the $511 million made available for grants under the TIGER III program.

“The overwhelming demand for these grants clearly shows that communities across the country can’t afford to wait any longer for Congress to put Americans to work building the transportation projects that are critical to our economic future,” said Secretary LaHood. “That’s why we’ve taken action to get these grants out the door quickly, and that is why we will continue to ask Congress to make the targeted investments we need to create jobs, repair our nation’s transportation systems, better serve the traveling public and our nation’s businesses, factories and farms, and make sure our economy continues to grow."

In November, President Obama directed DOT to take common sense steps to expedite transportation projects by accelerating the process for review and approval and by leveraging private sector funding to promote growth and job creation. As part of that initiative, DOT accelerated the TIGER III application review process and has announced the awards before the end of 2011 – months ahead of the planned spring 2012 announcement.

The grants will fund a wide range of innovative transportation projects in urban and rural areas across the country:

Of the $511 million in TIGER III funds available for grants, more than $150 million will go to critical projects in rural areas.
Roughly 48% of the funding will go to road and bridge projects, including more than $64 million for Complete Streets projects that will spur small business growth and benefit motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
29% of the funding will support transit projects like the Westside Multimodal Transit Center in San Antonio.
12% will help build port projects like the Port of New Orleans Rail Yard Improvements.
10% will go to freight rail projects like the Muldraugh Bridge Replacement in Kentucky.
Three grants were also directed to tribal governments to create jobs and address critical transportation needs in Indian country.
Three grants will provide better multimodal access to airports, including DFW in Texas.

Work has already begun on 33 planning projects while 58 capital projects are under way across the country from the previous two rounds of TIGER, and an additional 13 projects are expected to break ground over the next six months.

In 2009 and 2010, the Department received a total of 2,400 applications requesting $76 billion, greatly exceeding the $2.1 billion available in the TIGER I and TIGER II grant programs. In the previous two rounds, the TIGER program awarded grants to 126 freight, highway, transit, port and bicycle/pedestrian projects in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

TIGER grants are awarded to transportation projects that have a significant national or regional impact. Projects are chosen for their ability to contribute to the long-term economic competitiveness of the nation, improve the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems, increase energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improve the safety of U.S. transportation facilities and enhance the quality of living and working environments of communities through increased transportation choices and connections. The Department also gives priority to projects that are expected to create and preserve jobs quickly and stimulate increases in economic activity.

The continuing demand for TIGER grants highlights the need for further investment in the nation’s transportation infrastructure that could be provided by President Obama’s American Jobs Act. The American Jobs Act would provide $50 billion to improve 150,000 miles of road, replace 4,000 miles of track, and restore 150 miles of runways, creating jobs for American workers and building a safer, more efficient transportation network. It would also provide $10 billion for the creation of a bipartisan National Infrastructure bank.

A complete list of grant recipients can be viewed here.

Senate Committee Unanimously Approves Safe Streets Amendment

2011-12-14T21:14:00.003-05:00

Note that BikeWalkLee's efforts are mentioned in this national article!

National Complete Streets Coalition Article
By Stefanie Seskin, on December 14th, 2011

In a major step forward for Complete Streets, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed a federal transportation authorization bill that includes a measure for the safe accommodation of all users in federally-funded street projects.

Alaska Senator Mark Begich offered the amendment that established this measure and accepted an amendment from Senator John Thune of South Dakota. The Committee voted unanimously in favor of the measure.

The amendments modified S. 1950, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act, which is one of the Commerce Committee’s contributions to the overall reauthorization package.

With this measure in place, the proposed bill now directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to create standards for the safe accommodation of all road users and allows the Secretary to waive the standards for states that have their own policies. The additional language offered by Senator Thune would allow states to determine what is safe and adequate accommodation for a specific street. For example, the state could determine the expected users of that street or decide on the type of crossing provided.

Appropriately, the Commerce Committee’s jurisdiction is safety – a core motivation for Complete Streets policies across the country and for the support a federal policy has received on Capitol Hill.

As we pointed out yesterday, thousands of Americans are killed or injured on our roadways. And while the overall numbers are declining, injuries and fatalities among those who are walking rose sharply (.pdf) in the last year: compared to 2009, 26,000 more pedestrians were injured and 419 more were killed. Many of them were children or older adults.

Fortunately, there are thousands upon thousands of people who are working toward safer, better streets for everyone. These people are members and supporters of the National Complete Streets Coalition and the Complete Streets movement. They came together yesterday to contact their Senators in support of the Begich amendment, and the entire staff of the Coalition want to take a moment to thank them for their efforts.

In the Senate, we applaud Senator Begich for introducing the amendment, Senator Thune for helping make it bi-partisan, and every Senator on the Committee for supporting it. The Coalition is sending them a formal thank you letter (.pdf). We’re also thankful for the support from Senator Harkin of Iowa, who introduced the Safe and Complete Streets Act earlier this year, and the 16 additional Senators who have signed on as co-sponsors.

Of course, these Senators working in response to the incredible support for Complete Streets from their constituents. Advocates and organizations, members of the National Complete Streets Coalition across the country quickly stepped up to mobilize.

Our Steering Committee and Partner organizations spread the word and set up easy tools for action. We’d like to especially thank the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, whose online tool enabled 830 letters to be sent to the Commerce committee members; the League of American Bicyclists, through which 1,249 letters were sent to the Committee members; the American Society of Landscape Architects, for activating their networks of professionals; the Alliance for Biking and Walking, YMCA, and America Walks, who encouraged their members to speak up for safe streets; and America Bikes, the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, and AARP, for their incredible work on the Hill over the past few days.

National groups weren’t the only ones who generated action. Dozens of local groups responded to the call by sending letters, making phone calls, and encouraging their members and friends to take action. To name just a few: Bike Walk Lee (Florida); the Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition; Trailnet (Missouri); the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia; Bike Texas; and Feet First (Washington).

Though yesterday’s vote was an important moment for the movement, there are still many opportunities to strengthen a Complete Streets policy in the bill as it moves ahead. Bills from several Senate committees will be combined, and the House will have its own versions making their way through the process.

We will continue to need your support in coming months – but for now, pat yourselves on the back for a job well done and enjoy some cake or pie.

U.S. Senate Commerce Committee passed important T4-America policies in its portion of transportation reauthorization bill

2011-12-14T20:50:00.006-05:00

BikeWalkLee is a Transportation 4 America partner and is pleased to see the Senate Committee support for T4-A-supported national goals and performance measure to promote a more accountable, cleaner, and multi-modal transportation system. In addition, an amendment to provide safer streets for all motorized and no-motorized users [complete streets by another name] was adopted with bipartisan support, including both Senators Nelson and Rubio of Florida. We were one of the Florida organizations that signed T4-A individual letters to our two FL Senators and contacted their staffs. Thanks to everyone who spoke out in support of these amendments.

Transportation for America responds to Senate Commerce Committee actions on transportation authorization
December 14, 2011 By Transportation for America

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Commerce Committee today adopted two key policy measures for the upcoming authorization of the federal transportation program. The “Surface Transportation and Freight Policy Act of 2011” establishes policy goals for the federal surface transportation program, such as addressing congestion, improving access to multiple travel options, supporting domestic manufacturing and reducing impacts on the environment and public health. It also directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a national surface transportation and freight strategic plan and establishes a multi modal grant program for alleviating bottlenecks in the freight system. An amendment offered by Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska), and modified by Senator Thune (R-SD), directs the DOT Secretary to “establish standards to ensure that the design of Federal surface transportation projects provides for the safe and adequate accommodation … of all users of the transportation network, including motorized and non-motorized users.” Transportation for America’s director, James Corless, offered this statement in response:

“The Commerce Committee’s measures offer critical policy direction at a time when our key national infrastructure program is in urgent need of renewed focus and reinvigoration.
Establishing national goals and performance-based objectives for our investment in transportation would be a vast improvement over our current system, improving accountability and transparency of federal transportation spending. The Surface Transportation and Freight Policy Act would go a long way toward ensuring that we get the most bang for the buck from our increasingly constrained transportation dollars. At a time when pedestrian fatalities and injuries are rising as other traffic fatalities fall, the Begich amendment would help to improve safety for everyone on our roads and save money. With support from the full Senate and incorporation into the House’s companion bill, these measures would establish safety, fairness and efficiency as the hallmarks of the next authorization.”

Cape Coral Transportation Advisory Committee endorses 2 bike lane proposals

2011-12-14T14:12:00.002-05:00

At the December 14th meeting of the Cape Coral Transportation Committee meeting,
The four Cape Coral City Council members that are members (Mayor Sullivan, John Carioscia, Chris Chulakes-Leetz and Kevin McGrail) voted to endorse and send the request for bike lanes on Agualinda and Beach to the full City Council for a vote. In addition to Pat Young and Carolyn Conant , Charles Berryhill who lives on Sands Blvd., and Peter Seiler from Germany spoke in favor. Other members of the audience in favor of these bike lanes included Larry Galanter, Mike Swanson and Steve Chupack. Only one gentleman spoke against. Mayor Sullivan became chair of the TAC.

A very special thank you from the Cape Coral team goes to all those affiliated with BWL, the Caloosa Riders, and all others who responded in mid-October to the call to support this SW Cape Coral Neighborhood Association bike lane request. "Yes" Survey Forms returned outnumbered "No" forms by more than 2-1.

Ban cellphone use by drivers, feds recommend

2011-12-14T06:33:00.004-05:00

BikeWalkLee has long advocated against distracted driving (see our 2010 op ed). We are pleased to see the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendations to ban cellphone use by drivers. Maybe it will finally spur the Florida Legislature to begin to take the issue seriously.

News Press, December 14, 2011
[Also click here to read New York Times article.]
WASHINGTON — Federal safety
investigators have declared cellphone use
while driving too dangerous to be allowed,
which may give Florida anti-distracted-
driving bills a push as they work their way
through the Legislature.

The National Transportation Safety Board
voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend
all states ban cellphone use while driving,
except in emergencies. Inspired by recent
deadly crashes — including one last year
when a Missouri teenager sent or received
11 text messages in 11 minutes before an
accident — the recommendation would
apply even to hands-free devices, a much
stricter rule than any state law.

In Florida, two bills have been introduced
that would restrict cellphone use while
driving. One would prohibit minors from
talking and driving, and another would ban
texting and driving.

While the NTSB doesn’t have authority to
impose restrictions, its recommendations
carry weight with federal regulators, and
congressional and state lawmakers. Florida
is one of 15 states that does not ban
texting and driving.

Zak Kearns, 26, of Fort Myers, crashed his
car in August because he was distracted by
a text message. It was raining and Kearns
was looking at his phone instead of the
road, he said. He rear-ended the car in
front of him because he didn’t see it stop
short at a crosswalk.

A law banning texting and driving is a no-
brainier, Kearns said.

“I think everybody would hate it, but it only
helps people,” he said.

Keelie King, 30 of Fort Myers, swerved off
the road the other day while texting. She
hasn’t sent or received a text from the
road since, she said.

A law banning such a dangerous practice
seems like a good idea, but it comes with
problems as well, King said. “I’d like to
know how they’re going to enforce it.”

The sponsor of the bill banning talking
while driving, Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca
Raton, said he is not confident the federal
recommendation would go far to move
along his proposal.
Advertisement

“Unfortunately for the state of Florida, all
these road safety bills are bottled up in a
drawer,” Slosberg said.

Slosberg is a co-sponsor of a bill (HB 299),
along with Republican Rep. Ray Pilon of
Sarasota, that would ban texting and
driving. The measure is assigned to the
House Transportation and Highway Safety
Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Brad
Drake, R-Eucheeanna, but a hearing has
not yet been scheduled.

During a committee meeting last month,
Drake said he would hear a texting-ban
bill if there was support from enough
members and if it was feasible and
realistic.

Slosberg also is the House sponsor of a bill
that would prohibit the use of handheld
cellphones and other electronic devices –
not just for texting, but any use – by
drivers under 18 and people driving school
buses. That bill (HB 187) also would have
to get through the Highway Safety
subcommittee. The measure would include
a limit on how many passengers young
drivers could have in their car.

The ban on cellphone use by minors is
sponsored in the Senate (SB 930) by Sen.
Thad Altman, R-Viera, while the ban on
texting (SB 416) is sponsored by another
Republican, Sen. Nancy Detert of Venice.

Local backing

Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk has
pledged his support for the texting bill and
announced the start of a campaign to
educate drivers of the dangers posed by
texting and driving.

Lee County law enforcement officers, health
care providers and local organizations also
have launched a monthlong awareness
campaign to wipe out distracted driving
this December.

A group representing state highway safety
offices said many states are not ready to
carry out such cellphone regulations.

“States aren’t ready to support a total ban
yet, but this may start the discussion,”
Jonathan Adkins, a spokesman for the
Governors Highway Safety Association,
said.

About two out of 10 American drivers
overall – and half of drivers between 21
and 24 – say they’ve thumbed messages
or emailed from the driver’s seat,
according to a survey of more than 6,000
drivers by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration.

At any given moment last year on America’
s streets and highways, nearly one in every
100 car drivers was texting, emailing,
surfing the Web or otherwise using a
handheld electronic device, the safety
administration said. Those activities were
up 50 percent over the previous year.

Graphics about the benefits of bikes

2011-12-13T18:10:00.003-05:00

Check out this new graphic about the benefits of biking! Thanks to Peter Kim for sharing this with BikeWalkLee.

src="http://images.healthcaremanagementdegree.com.s3.amazonaws.com/biking-and-health.gif" alt="Biking And Health" width="500" border="0" />
Created by: Healthcare Management Degree

Urgent - Call your senator today to save transportation funding!

2011-12-13T15:21:00.001-05:00

If you care aboutpedestrian and bike safety, cleaner air, or making sure transportation decisionsare accountable and transparent, be sure to make your call today.

Senators Marco Rubioand Bill Nelson sit on a committee that will likely vote on anew multi-billion dollar transportation policy TOMORROW.

You have a chance tohelp decide – and all you have to do is place a simple phone call.

It couldn’t be easier– making your call will take less than 5 minutes!

Call the Senate switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to Marco Rubio or Bill Nelson.
When a staffer at your senator’s office answers leave the following message:

Hi, my name is ____ and I live in ____. I’m calling to ask the Senator tosupport two amendments to the transportation bill being taken up Wednesday bythe Commerce Committee:

• Senator Begich’s amendment to ensure that federally funded projects aredesigned for the safety of all users of the transportation network, and

• Senator Lautenberg’s amendment setting national transportation goals andobjectives for the transportation bill as well as updating our federalmultimodal freight transportation policy.

This is our chance to create aclear national transportation policy – one that prioritizes innovative,cost-effective and safer solutions to our transportation challenges.

And pleaseforward this to everyone you know that feels the same.

Re-purposed from Transportation for America's email action alert on December 13, 2011.

Dave Loveland appointed LeeDOT Director

2011-12-12T15:16:00.002-05:00

Dec. 5th Announcement from Lee County Public Works Director, Doug Meurer, to Lee County Staff

I am pleased to announce that Dave Loveland is now the permanent Director of Lee County Department of Transportation.

Dave has been the Interim Director of DOT for almost 6 months and has provided excellent leadership. He has shown great initiative by spending time becoming fully informed about all aspects of DOT operations. Dave has been active in creating organizational changes that have enhanced operations and facilitate better staff communications.

DOT has a history of professional and skilled development and daily maintenance of a safe and reliable transportation network. However, economic conditions, energy costs and social expectations are creating challenges to the use of traditional capacity based transportation planning. Implementation of sustainable practices in planning for the future of our transportation needs is necessary. Dave's background as a planner, coupled with his understanding of the Lee County system, uniquely position him to lead DOT into this transportation future.

I am grateful for Dave's leadership the last 6 months and excited about his future contributions as we continue to meet the challenges ahead of us.

Please congratulate Dave on this newest achievement and provide him your support to assure a successful future.

Lee County's Complete Streets Implementation 2011 Report to be presented at Jan. 9th BoCC workshop

2011-12-12T12:07:00.003-05:00

The Complete Streets Resolution (09-11-13) adopted by the Lee Board of County Commissioners on November 10, 2009, included a requirement for an annual report on the implementation status. The 2011 report, the second annual report, is now available (click here), and will be presented to the Commissioners at their January 9th, 2012 Management and Planning workshop, starting at 1:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. It can also be viewed live on Channel 97 or on the County's website.

The report outlines the current progress and future action items recommended to proceed towards full implementation of complete streets. The report includes a modified transportation planning and budgeting process, which is the key building block for successful complete streets implementation. This new, sustainable approach to planning requires interdepartmental collaboration, transparency, policy revisions, and prioritization of projects. The report also includes a summary of items to be addressed in the upcoming Lee Plan, Land Development Code, and Administrative Code changes, which are part of the 2035 New Horizons/Comp Plan amendments process currently underway.

As BikeWalkLee stated in announcing Lee County's Complete Streets Team as its "Complete Streets Champion of the Year for 2011", the county is at the beginning of the change process, not the end, so much work lies ahead, but real progress is being made. Kudos to the Complete Streets Interdepartmental Performance Team!

Fort Myers drivers will have to slow down

2011-12-11T19:14:00.002-05:00

Kudos to the Fort Myers City Council for voting to lower the speed limit to 25 mph on Fort Myers City streets! Lower speeds save lives and make our streets safer for all road users.

News-Press, Dec. 2, 2011
by Marisa Kendall

Drivers will have to slow down Monday
when Fort Myers lowers the speed limit on
city streets from 30 to 25 mph.

The new policy will mostly affect streets
downtown and in residential
neighborhoods. Speed limits on state and
county-owned roads such as U.S. 41,
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Palm
Beach Boulevard and Colonial Boulevard
will remain unchanged.

People are going too fast, Mayor Randy
Henderson said. The issue was first
brought to the city council’s attention
during a public hearing six months ago.
Several residents complained of drivers
speeding through their neighborhoods and
putting children and adult pedestrians in
danger.

“No one wants to have to live with the
nightmare of having struck a pedestrian,”
Henderson said.

The Fort Myers Police Department’s only
role in the policy change will be its
enforcement, Police Chief Doug Baker said.
Revenue generated from traffic tickets is
divided up among various city funds, such
as local schools. The small fraction that
goes back to the police department can
only be used to fund training programs, he
said.

For a month after the speed limit is
changed, police will issue warnings instead
of speeding tickets.

“We’ll make every effort to institute a
campaign educating drivers that the speed
limit has changed,” Baker said.

After the grace period ends, drivers caught
going 6 to 9 mph over the limit will be
charged $124 if they pay the ticket within
30 days. Fines increase incrementally,
ending with a $274 fine for drivers caught
going 20-29 mph over. A court
appearance is required of anyone caught
going 30 or more mph over the limit.

So far this year, the police department has
issued more than 1,900 speeding tickets,
spokeswoman Shelly Flynn said. That
number doesn’t include specially
designated tickets such as those incurred
in a school zone.

In October the Bonita Springs City Council
requested city staff research speeding and
decide whether to recommend lowering
speed limits from 30 to 25 mph. No
further action has been taken.

Lynn Anderson, 71, said she often see
drivers speeding through her neighborhood
near the intersection of Six Mile
Cypress/Ben C. Pratt and Daniels
parkways. The neighborhood is full of
children, and pedestrians walk in the street
because there are no sidewalks — but
drivers will still go 50 mph in a 30 mph
zone.

“It’s dangerous,” she said.

More position papers for review in New Horizon 2035 Lee Plan update process

2011-12-11T10:38:00.002-05:00

As reported in an earlier blog post, Horizon 2035 is a comprehensive review and update of the Lee Plan through the year 2035. The Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) adopted by the Commissioners in the spring resulted in a sustainable vision for growth and development. The County is now using this vision as the basis to update the Lee Plan’s goals, objectives and policies.

Before drafting goals and policies, the County is presenting a series of issue papers to the Local Planning Agency (LPA) and the Sustainability Committee for input. There are now 4 more issue papers out for review, which will be discussed at the December 16th LPA meeting, held at 8:30 a.m. in the Board Chambers in downtown Fort Myers.

The four new papers are:
A. Economic Market Assumptions

Highlights: market research has shifted its emphasis to conducting analysis based on each of the five existing generational populations to better predict attitudes, needs and wants of the consumer.

The paper presents the research and asks the following questions as they apply to Lee County:
If Baby Boomers are indeed planning on aging in place, does the recent housing slump mean we may already have enough suburban type housing and land use in Lee County? Has too much already been permitted but not yet constructed? How do we as a County respond to Generation X’s need for a variety of housing choices while ensuring that the environment and environmentally‐sensitive lands are preserved and protected? And lastly, with Generation Y’s preference for urban living, can we identify appropriate locations and transition existing land use characteristics to a more mixed‐use setting.

B. Interchanges Framework

Highlights: I‐75 acts as a barrier; it restricts east‐west vehicular, transit, bicycle and pedestrian travel. There are a total of twelve existing and two planned road crossings. The interchange areas act as a gateway or funnel of east‐west travel in Lee County. The paper considers several recommended changes to the land use categories to reduce these barriers.

C. Mixed-Use Strategies

Highlights: The paper reviews the history of Lee County’s efforts to achieve mixed-use and asks the question: If the County has been supporting and promoting mixed use developments in their planning efforts for 30 years, why hasn’t the County seen more progress in the creation of mixed use places?

The opportunities for the County to transition from its current suburban development pattern to a true urban form in the proposed planning horizon of 2035 are limited. A two tiered approach appears to be the best solution. First, identify the location of two to four true urban areas where the County, along with affected property owners, targets true urbanism by providing the necessary infrastructure and services. Second, is the development of a permissive/flexible tool within specified future land use designation that provides an expanded opportunity for the development of mixed use areas?

This approach accepts the reality that large areas of the county will not transform into urban development while still allowing and encouraging mixed‐use development to take place.

D. Lehigh Acres

Highlights: The paper focuses on the issue of what should be done to address the specific concerns of the Lehigh Acres Planning Community throughout the Lee Plan. Following this, how can the Lee Plan be modified to address community needs?

Bike WalkLee is participating in this year-long process to ensure that the complete streets/sustainability focus in the EAR is carried through in the actual Comp Plan amendments. We encourage you to participate in this process.

Dan Moser's Florida Weekly Column:Cyclists expect fair — not special — treatment

2011-12-11T08:03:00.002-05:00

This week's column focuses on malfunctioning loop-sensors for cyclists at Lee County signalized intersections.

Florida Weekly, December 7, 2011
by Dan Moser

Being the Rodney Dangerfield of our public roads and getting no respect from a few motorists just because they’re bikehaters is one thing, but when roadway designers and transportation managers treat cyclists as second-class users it’s little wonder why otherwise bike-friendly fellow road users do the same.

A few examples of this unfair treatment include: roadway designs that may or may not provide accommodation for cyclists, including features like bike lanes and paved shoulders that unexpectedly disappear; roadways built like racetracks which induce drivers to speed and scare many cyclists off the roads; and intersection configurations that only the bravest bicyclists will traverse in traffic, forcing most to become pedestrians-on-wheels, who are then even more at risk because of design meant to move motor vehicles first and foremost. But one glaring casein point stands out to any cyclist who’s waited in vain for a traffic signal to change — it simply won’t.

The loop-sensors that are installed in the ground at signalized intersections are notorious for sensing only motor vehicles, thus leaving cyclists a few bad choices in order to proceed: 1) Wait for motorists to pull up and set off the sensor (hoping they understand the need to pull up over the loop). 2) Become a pedestrian — or at least call the pedestrian signal by going to the sidewalk and pushing the button (assuming there’s a pedestrian signal/button in place). 3) Break the letter of the law and treat the malfunctioning traffic control device as a stop sign and proceed when deemed safe.

The question I have for those who manage our traffic signals and for others who don’t think it’s a problem is, “Do motorists routinely — or even occasionally — have to deal with such situations?” The answer, of course, is that it’s extremely rare. So why must one class of road user be forced to deal with it on a regular and predicable basis?

As many readers of this column are aware, Lee County and the city of Fort Myers have adopted a “complete streets” policy. They have formally agreed to accommodate all road users equally and in a context-sensitive manner. Clearly, this situation is a contrary to such an agreement. To be fair, the complete streets policy is in its early stages of implementation and it will take time to add necessary features such as bike lanes, sidepaths, and major intersection improvements that make crossing safe and practical. And to give credit to those working to make those positive changes, Lee County, in particular, is very committed. But one thing that can be done almost immediately and relatively inexpensively is fixing the problem cyclists face at loop-sensor intersections. Other communities’ transportation departments have addressed the problem by increasing the sensitivity of the sensors and painting a bike symbol directly over the best spot to trigger the signal. So, until photo-sensors are installed everywhere our transportation managers should treat cyclists fairly by making the necessary changes to the existing technology.

Upcoming events

Before changing gears from bicycling to running I want to remind everyone about Everyone Rides on Sunday, Dec. 11 and CyclingSavvy sessions in mid-January.

Being prime running season, some excellent long distance events are right around the corner. The rain has subsided so the challenging trails at Caloosahatchee Regional Park should be in good condition for those training for the River, Roots, & Ruts Half-Marathon and 5K Fun Run. Registration numbers are limited and the maximum is reached every year well before the race date, which is on Sunday, Jan. 8. Exactly one week later, on Sunday, Jan. 15, the annual Naples Daily News Half Marathon takes runners on a route through some of Naples’ finest neighborhoods. After recovering from those backto back races you’ll be in good shape for Hooters-to-Hooters Half Marathon, happening this year on Sunday, March 4. Go to www.ftmyerstrackclub.com for all the details and registration link.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and trails.

— Dan Moser is a League Cycling & CyclingSavvy instructor/ trainer and programs director for the Florida Bicycle Association. He can be contacted at dan@floridabicycle.org or 334- 6417.

Upcoming Events

Running/Walking:
¦ Mangrove Marathon & Half, Sunday, Dec. 11,
Cape Coral
¦ River, Roots, & Ruts Half & 5K, Sunday, Jan. 8,
Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva
¦ Naples Daily News Half, Sunday, Jan. 15,
downtown Naples
For more Lee County running events, visit Fort Myers Track
Club (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Racing. For Naples/ Collier running info, it’s the Gulf Coast Runners. Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.
com. Walkers can visit www.meetup.com/Walking-SWFL.

Cycling & Other Events:
¦ Everyone Rides: 7:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 11,
Buckingham Park
¦ CyclingSavvy: Truth & Techniques classroom
session, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 11, Fort
Myers
¦ CyclingSavvy: Train Your Bike parking lot session,
8:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, Fort Myers
¦ CyclingSavvy: Urban Tour session, 12:30-4:30
p.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, Fort Myers
>>Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club at
www.caloosariders.com; Florida Mudcutters at www.
mudcutters.org; Naples Pathways Coalition at www.
naplespathways.org; Naples Velo at www.naplesvelo.
com; Peace River Riders (www.peaceriverriders.
com); and Coastal Cruisers Bicycle Club (www.
coastalcruisers.net) for more information on local
bicycling activities, including weekly rides. The Florida
Bicycle Association (www.floridabicycle.org) is your
source for statewide happenings.

BikeWalkLee participates in Cape Coral's Community Fair

2011-12-10T20:45:00.001-05:00

Report by Steve Chupack, BikeWalkLee's representative in Cape Coral

BikeWalkLee was among the 30-plus non-profits participating without charge at the Christa McAuliffe Charter Elementary 's 1st Annual Community Fair & Non-Profit Expo Saturday morning. There also were many business vendor booths and a large flea market. Volunteers Patricia Young, Steve Chupack and Holly Ford handed out BWL and other bicycle/pedestrian information. Representative Gary Aubuchon, Cape Coral Councilman Kevin McGrail and other elected officials and staff were present which provided a great opportunity to speak with them about BWL, "complete streets," and related advocacy and safety issues. Special thanks to Scott Bologna for organizing the event and inviting BWL to participate.

Combating the Myth That Complete Streets Are Too Expensive

2011-12-09T05:58:00.002-05:00

Last week several of us in Lee County participated in this excellent webinar sponsored by the National Complete Streets Coalition. The speakers included Norm Steinman from the Charlotte Department of Transportation, someone who provided valuable assistance to BikeWalkLee as it was working on the Lee County complete streets resolution. The webinar provided information about the low cost of many complete streets treatments, as well as ways to communicate about the added value and community support that result from complete streets implementation.

Streetsblog Capitol Hill
December 8, 2011
by Tanya Snyder

Live in a town where bicyclists and pedestrians are personas non grata and buses get stuck in automobile congestion? Do you put on your walking boots only to find that your city’s street design conveys the message, “These roads were made for driving?” It’s time for a complete streets upgrade, then – but often, when concerned citizens propose accommodating other road users on the streets, local officials tell them it’s just too expensive.

Are complete streets really too expensive? According to Norm Steinman, planning and design manager for the Charlotte Department of Transportation, design elements to turn an incomplete street into one that accommodates all users are usually a very low percentage of the total cost of street planning, design, and construction. “Sidewalks will turn out to be somewhere around 3 percent of that compilation of costs,” he said last week in a seminar sponsored by the National Complete Streets Coalition for communities participating in the CDC’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work program. “Bicycle lanes, around 5 percent — and that’s adding bicycle lanes, of course, to both sides of the street.”

“On the other hand,” Steinman said, “reducing the width of a lane by a foot can reduce the costs by 2 percent.” Indeed, in Richfield, Minnesota, when 76th Street needed to be rebuilt following work on the sewer lines, the city decided to implement a “road diet.” Narrowing the street shaved $2 million off the estimated $6 million cost of the sewer work – while at the same time improving mobility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists and making for a more enjoyable community.

The National Complete Streets Coalition suggests four points to help local transportation officials understand that complete street goals can be achieved without exorbitant costs:
o complete streets add lasting value
o complete streets improvements can be achieved within existing transportation budgets
o complete streets are necessary to accomodate existing users
o complete streets can upon up new transportation funding opportunities

Click here to read the full post. If you're interested in seeing the handout materials, let me know: dletourneau@bikewalklee.org.

Why Complete Streets Succeeds

2011-12-08T10:38:00.004-05:00

A recent article by the Barbara McCann, the Executive Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition is relevant to Lee County's complete streets implementation efforts. Click here to read the full article. The success of the complete streets movement stems from its focus on simple, accessible, society-wide change. As the national transportation expert and PPS leader Gary Toth states in a post at the end, "The Complete Streets movement HAS done more to effect needed change to the dismal state of our streets than every other movement combined..."

Here's the beginning of the article...
When we started the Complete Streets movement, we didn’t look at where we would like every community to arrive. We looked at where communities are now.

We devised what turned out to be a highly successful path to change, and now want to reiterate our change model in light of the recent New York City-based Project for Public Spaces musing on whether Complete Streets are ‘incomplete’ and other questions we get about whether Complete Streets goes far enough.

For most of the United States, the starting point is a pretty grim place. Simply put, there aren’t many sidewalks out there — and a lot of older adults, children, and low-income people are using ‘goat paths’ as the cars whiz by.

A fundamental shift is needed in what transportation agencies see as their job. It isn’t to move cars; it is to safely move people. But since auto-mobility has been the dominant transportation paradigm for more than a half-century, that change is not an easy task. It requires strong leadership – and political and community support.

That’s what Complete Streets policies do. A Complete Streets policy simply makes clear to a transportation agency that its job is to provide for the safe travel of all users of the transportation system. From that commitment, a whole cascade of changes can begin to take place.

In many communities that cascade will grow to include place-making, smart growth strategies, and streets that are built and managed sustainably. We applaud and support this progression.

But look again at the pictures on this page. Check out this new map of road fatalities. In much of the United States, it is a huge victory to simply stop the bleeding by ending the belief that a transportation agency can conduct its business as if people don’t walk, ride buses or bikes, or have disabilities.

Click here to continue reading.

Upcoming Cycling Savvy Classes

2011-12-06T12:26:00.002-05:00

Truth & Techniques of Traffic Cycling
Interactive Classroom-Based Session, Including Problem-Solving Strategies
Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 5:30pm – 8:30pm
BikeWalkLee Headquarters (Offices of Harvey Software),
7050 Winkler Rd #104 (Myerlee Square), Fort Myers

Train Your Bike
Skills Training Conducted in Parking Lot Environment
Saturday, January 14, 2012, 8:30am – 11:30am
Edison State College, Fort Myers Campus (Lot on Southeast Corner)

Urban Tour of Southwest Florida*
Solo and Paired On-Street Riding in a Variety of Both Common and Unusual Conditions
Saturday, January 11, 2012, 12:30pm – 4:00pm
Staging from Edison State College, Fort Myers Campus (Lot on Southeast Corner)

Discounted full package includes all three segments for $75
or
Each session á la carte for $30/each

*Urban Tour of Southwest Florida require completion of the other two sessions.

For Details and Registration Info Please Visit cyclingsavvy.org
Or Contact Dan Moser at dan@floridabicycle.org or (239) 334-6417

Invite to Dec. 8th ITE Meeting: Emerging Transit Corridors in Lee County

2011-12-02T11:51:00.002-05:00

You are invited to the ITE SWFL Chapter Meeting & Lunch for a discussion of emerging transit corridors, led by Dr. Margaret Banyan (FGCU) & Dan Rudge, LeeTran planner

When: December 8, 2011 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (MPO offices) at 1926 Victoria Ave., Fort Myers

COST: $5.00 per person to ITE (members and non-members)

RSVP TO: Suresh Karre simply by accepting this appointment request or via e-mail: suresh.karre@dplummer.com.

DESCRIPTION/TOPIC: Emerging Transit Corridors in Lee County
The presentation will include a discussion of the following.
1. The development of transit corridors from a livability perspective, including the difference between station-area planning and corridor planning.
2. Opportunities for sustainability improvements along corridors; including economic, social, and environmental issues.
3. The identification and development of transit corridors in Lee County, including those slated for premium services.

SPEAKERS: Dr. Margaret Banyan and Daniel Rudge
Margaret E. Banyan, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University and a Senior Faculty Associate for the SW Florida Center for Public and Social Policy. Dr. Banyan teaches in the Division of Public Affairs in the areas of land use planning, public administration, and political science. In addition, she is the Chair of the Lee County Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (formerly the Smart Growth Advisory Committee); member of BikeWalkLee; member of the Transportation Cooperative Research Program's Panel H-45 (Transit Corridors for Livable Communities); and former member of the Florida Department of Transportation's 2060 Plan Community Sustainability, Environment, and Livability Advisory Committee.

Daniel Rudge serves as Principal Planner for LeeTran where he is involved with the integration of transit into all aspects of Lee County’s Comprehensive Plan update as well as leading all of LeeTran’s planning initiatives. Prior to joining LeeTran, Mr. Rudge was Chief of Planning for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). While at DRPT Mr. Rudge oversaw statewide operations of regional mobility management programs and the development of statewide standards for transit design guidelines. He also served as liaison to the Virginia General Assembly, the state’s largest Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and to other Departments in the State of Virginia.

LeeDOT implements improvements to Three Oaks & Corkscrew Intersection

2011-12-01T22:18:00.003-05:00

Thanks to LeeDOT for improving a hazardous situation for bicyclists at the Three Oaks and Corkscrew intersection. The intersection was recently resurfaced and restriped and the small island for pedestrians was enlarged. This intersection is now safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. (Information submitted by Steve Rodgers/Caloosa Riders)

Harvey Software Delivers Sustained Support for Bicycle Safety with Community 3FeetPlease Campaign

2011-11-30T06:53:00.003-05:00

Harvey Software Press Release
Tuesday, November 29, 2011

FORT MYERS, FL — November 29, 2011 — Today, Harvey Software, Inc. shared an update of its ongoing community effort to promote motorists’ awareness of bicycles. The developer and distributor of popular multi-carrier shipping software, headquartered in Fort Myers, FL, continues its mission to improve bicycle safety in a state with a year-round biking season. Recently, Harvey Software’s CEO was acknowledged in a meeting of the Board of Lee County (FL) Commissioners for the company’s efforts to purchase and distribute over 500 “3 Feet Please” stickers to be placed on official Lee County government vehicles and LeeTran public buses. The bright yellow stickers visually promote a safe distance between motorists and cyclists. Harvey Software hopes the awareness will reduce future accidents involving bicycles and motor vehicles.

“Southwest Florida is a wonderful place to bike, with ample facilities, great weather, and beautiful scenery. The goal is to improve safety for area cyclists and make the area even more attractive to bikers. We wanted a visual signal to motorists alerting them to increased caution necessary around a bicycle,” said Bert Hamilton, CEO of Harvey Software, headquartered in Fort Myers, FL. “The moment I saw these T-shirts and jerseys I knew that they would send a very hard to miss signal to drivers! The message is clear—a minimum three foot distance between car and bicycle, at all times. With this simple rule of thumb, bicycles and automobiles can share the road safely for the benefit of all,” continued Mr. Hamilton. “By distributing this message to as many as possible, we hope we can reduce the number of accidents in this area and raise awareness between cyclists and drivers. Our county government is taking an active role in supporting this program, far past simply recognizing the effort. Soon, county vehicles and buses in Lee county will have a ‘3FeetPlease’ sticker, reminding motorists of the concept even when cyclists are not around,” explained Mr. Hamilton.

As of this release, over 400 bumper stickers have been distributed and the remainder should be in place by the end of this year. For further information regarding the 3FeetPlease effort and bicycling in Southwest Florida, please visit their website.

Caloosa Riders Say Better Riding in Buckingham

2011-11-28T08:02:00.003-05:00

Written by: Steve Rodgers

Edited by: Cindy Banyai

Buckingham Road has finally been resurfaced from Neal Road to Gunnery and the results are very pleasing for bicyclists and motorists alike. The shoulders are smooth and easy to ride at any speed, keeping bicyclists out of the roadway so cars can pass without any delay.

Specifically for the Caloosa Riders, who ride out of Buckingham Park every Saturday morning, the ride last week started East on Buckingham to Sunset, and another finished from Sunset to the Park. The repaving has even extended onto Sunset and Alvin about 20 feet or so, which has eliminated numerous pot holes and bad surfaces making the transitions onto these side streets much easier to navigate.

Lots of "high fives" from the Caloosa Riders. I'm sure the bicyclists and motorists that use this road on a regular basis are happy too. Long time in coming, but the results are terrific!

Dan Moser's Florida Weekly Column:For something different, run or walk the Midpoint Bridge

2011-11-11T06:37:00.002-05:00

11/9/11

A small consolation to what remains a very sore subject with me is that once each year runners and walkers who are otherwise prohibited from using the Midpoint Bridge completely displace motor vehicles so we can participate in the annual Veterans Day 5K. This unique event is managed by and benefits Lee County Y and takes place on the evening of Friday, Nov. 11. It’s sure to be a great alternative to your usual Friday night.

One other distinctive aspect of this year’s event is the date itself: 11/11/11. The exclusivity of this date has caused many people to plan special events such as weddings on that day, so perhaps it has some kind of significance for those taking part in the bridge crossing that evening. Maybe running a personal record, viewing a double rainbow or falling star, or reconnecting with a long-lost friend is in the cards. I’m not one to believe in the significance of these numbers (after all, the real date is 11/11/2011) but for those who see value in such things, the Veterans Day 5K is an occasion to be part of lest one miss out on something special happening.

Another undertaking that might be considered somewhat atypical is also happening in Southwest Florida, although this one happens twice a week and will go on as long as there’s interest. Striders Club, an effort to help folks recover from addiction by walking and running on a regular basis, recently kicked off with more than 40 participants taking part. Masterminded by United Way’s Roger Mercado, two agencies with residential substance abuse treatment programs that are located near each other have taken us up on our offer to help their clients replace their destructive addiction with a beneficial one.

Aided by Lee County Human Services, Lee County EMS, Lee Memorial Health System, Grace Church and local college nursing students, the residents of Southwest Florida Addictions Services and Salvation Army are taking part in organized training sessions on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. We’ve developed routes around downtown Fort Myers, with a crossing of the Edison Bridge part of the more ambitious ones. And running (or walking) the Edison Fest 5K in February is one of the mid-term goals set. We’d appreciate any coaching or other expertise or resources anyone can provide. Contact me if you’d like to be part of this interesting undertaking or with your questions and suggestions.

Advocacy update

There are so many bike/ped and complete streets matters happening right now that it would be a mistake to try to squeeze them into this column, so visit BikeWalkLee's blog for more information. But one thing is worth mentioning: the appointment of Billy Hattaway as Florida Department of Transportation District 1 secretary. He’ll also have a role in bike/ped matters that affect the entire state.

Mr. Hattaway, a certified planner and professional engineer, is returning to FDOT after a successful stint in the private sector with a firm that’s well known for the fine work it does in terms of multi-modal transportation planning. Over the years he’s provided Florida Bicycle Association and BikeWalkLee with invaluable insight, something we hope will continue. Billy’s also an avid cyclist and cycling instructor, so he practices what he preaches. We look forward to Billy Hattaway’s leadership in our home FDOT district and statewide.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and trails. ¦

— Dan Moser is a league cycling and CyclingSavvy instructor and programs director for the Florida Bicycle Association who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. He can be contacted at dan@floridabicycle.org or 334- 6417

in the know

Running/Walking:

>> Veterans Day Midpoint Bridge 5K, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, Royal Palm Square, Fort Myers (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) >> Turkey Trot 5K, Thursday, Nov. 24, Cape Coral Hospital (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) River Run 10K , Saturday, Dec. 3, downtown Fort Myers (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) >> FGCU Fly-by-Night 50-Mile Team Relay, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, FGCU Campus (www.3dracinginc.com) For more Lee County running events, visit Fort Myers Track Club (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Racing (www.3dracinginc.com). For Naples/Collier running info, it’s the Gulf Coast Runners (www.gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.com. Walkers can visit www.meetup.com/Walking- SWFL.

Cycling & Other Events:

>>CyclingSavvy, Wednesday, Nov. 9; Saturday, Nov. 12, Fort Myers (cyclingsavvy.org) >> Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club at www.caloosariders.com; Florida Mudcutters at www.mudcutters.org; Naples Pathways Coalition at www.naplespathways.org; Naples Velo at www.naplesvelo.com; Peace River Riders at www.peaceriverriders.com; and Coastal Cruisers Bicycle Club at www.coastalcruisers.net for more information on local bicycling activities, including weekly rides. The Florida Bicycle Association (www.floridabicycle.org) is your source for statewide happenings.

More position papers for review in New Horizon 2035 Lee Plan update process

2011-11-10T16:39:00.005-05:00

As reported in an earlier blog post, Horizon 2035 is a comprehensive review and update of the Lee Plan through the year 2035. New Horizon 2035 include three components: the Evaluation and Appraisal Report, the Lee Plan Update, and the LDC Update. The EAR resulted in a sustainable vision for growth and development through the year 2035. Lee County is now using this vision as the basis to update the Lee Plan’s goals, objectives and policies.

The Lee Plan Update is being completed in two parts: policy issue discussions and draft elements. Before drafting goals and policies, the County's Planning Division will present a series of monthly issue papers to the Local Planning Agency and Sustainability Committee for input. There are now 3 more issue papers out for review, which will be discussed at the November 18th Local Planning Agency (LPA) meeting being held at 8:30 a.m. in the Board Chambers, Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901.

Click here to review the agenda and the issue papers.http://www.leegov.com/gov/dept/dcd/Documents/Agendas/LPA/2011/11/Nov182011.pdf

The 3 issue papers are on the following topics:

A. Current Lee Plan Framework
B. Proposed Urban-Suburban-Rural Environmental Framework
C. Future Mixed-Use Strategies

This set of papers focus on the question of how to create a Future Land Use Map with a clear distinction between urban, suburban, rural and environmental resource areas that correspond with the Land Use Framework established in the Horizon 2035 Plan (EAR).The mixed-use strategies paper also addresses the problem, as summed up by the LPA as "we are trying to get to urban with suburban land uses and zoning." The staff is asking the two committees to discuss appropriate densities and intensities, land use standards, and design considerations.

BikeWalkLee will be participating in this year-long process to ensure that the complete streets/sustainability focus in the EAR is carried through in the actual Comp Plan amendments.

Strong Towns Video: An innovative complete streets solution??

2011-11-08T20:05:00.002-05:00

This excellent video, narrated by the Executive Director of Strong Towns, Chuck Marohn, about the Diverging Diamond Intersection project in Springfield, Mo. The title of the video is "an innovative complete streets solution or further proof that the engineering profession is failing us?" Chuck goes on a walking tour of the new intersection with the roadway engineer, and then provides his own narrative of the tour.

The take away message for complete streets implementation: It's important to focus on what's the best way to make this environment work for the different modes of transportation, not just a checklist of whether a road project includes bike and pedestrian facilities.

Lee County honored as Complete Streets Champion of the Year

2011-11-08T06:40:00.001-05:00

BikeWalkLee's Press Release
Issued November 8, 2011

Lee County honored as 'Complete Streets Champion of the Year'

BikeWalkLee (BWL), a local community coalition advocating for complete streets in Lee County, has selected Lee County Administration and its Complete Streets Interdepartmental Performance Team (IPT) to receive the 2011 Complete Streets Champion of the Year Award. BikeWalkLee will present the award to the team at today’s Lee County Commission meeting.

In November 2009, the Lee Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) adopted a Complete Streets resolution, which was the first step in making Lee County’s streets safer and more accessible for all the people who use them. It set in motion planning and regulatory changes to ensure that all users of Lee’s roadways are included in transportation planning at the front end of the process. For the past two years, County Manager Karen Hawes and her team have worked diligently on developing and implementing a complete streets program. This award recognizes those efforts.

“As we said in 2009, the resolution was the beginning of the process and the hard work of implementation was ahead, “said Darla Letourneau, a member of BikeWalkLee’s steering committee. “A complete streets approach is about a paradigm shift in traditional road construction philosophy, and implementing complete streets requires policy and institutional change.”

This award recognizes the outstanding leadership by Hawes, her management team, and the innovative Complete Streets IPT, which includes members from the following county departments or divisions: Transportation, Community Development, Human Services, County Lands, Parks and Recreation, Utilities, Transit, and Sustainability.

This team approach breaks down interdepartmental barriers and uses a collaborative team approach of working together at the front-end to plan transportation projects in a holistic fashion.

BikeWalkLee cited the following accomplishments by the team in making the award:
• The county manager embraced the complete streets policy from the start and set up a new interdepartmental team to ensure that all the internal players were involved in the planning and decision-making process.
• The IPT sought input from citizens through the involvement of the Community Sustainability Advisory Committee, the Complete Streets Working Group, and the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Through this process, county citizens and advocacy groups such as BikeWalkLee have participated in development of the implementation plan.
• The IPT developed a comprehensive complete streets evaluation tool that was used in 2010 and 2011 to evaluate opportunities for complete streets improvements on roadways scheduled to be resurfaced. This process successfully identified ways to improve connections and safety on some of these roadways. A GIS tool is also being developed that can be used for the evaluation of all roadway projects.
• This year the team developed the most important building block for complete streets implementation—the redesign of the county’s transportation planning and budgeting process. This process ensures that the front-end planning includes the needs of all the users and the many stakeholders, and explores a broad array of multimodal transportation options.

“Those who bicycle, walk and use public transit in Lee County know there’s still a lot of work to be done to make our streets safer and more accessible to all,” said Letourneau. “But the county is putting in place the institutional and organizational changes that integrate complete streets into the way the county does its day-to-day business, and ensures complete streets implementation over the long haul. The county has made great strides — progress that would not have been possible without the leadership of County Manager Karen Hawes and her team, and the commitment and hard work of the county’s Complete Streets Interdepartmental Performance Team.”

Members of the Lee County Team Receiving Award:

County Administration:
Karen Hawes – County Manager
Doug Meurer – Assistant County Manager
Pete Winton - Assistant County Manager
Holly Schwartz – Assistant County Manager
Dave Loveland – Interim Transportation Director
Pam Keyes – Director of Utilities
The Complete Streets Interdepartmental Performance Team:
Andy Getch – Transportation
Mikki Rozdolski – Community Development
Cyndy Calfee – Human Services
Lynda Thompson – County Landshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Dan Calvert – Parks and Recreation
Thom Osterhout - Utilities
Dan Rudge/Wayne Gaither – Transit
Tessa LeSage – Sustainability

To view the video of the presentation, see 13:00 - 21:00 on the video on the County's website.

Great biking on new facilities in Fort Myers Beach & Hickory Blvd

2011-11-07T16:27:00.003-05:00

On Sunday, I finally had a chance to ride the new Hickory Blvd. bike lanes, which are terrific. The top two photos are from Hickory Blvd. The bottom two photos are the new resurfacing and improved biking shoulders that LeeDOT just completed that runs from outside downtown Fort Myers Beach and before Lover's Key. We rode from the corner of Summerlin & San Carlos all the way down Fort Myers Beach and to Bonita Beach Rd. in Bonita Springs. Except for the San Carlos Blvd. & for the congested 1 mile or so in downtown Fort Myers Beach, you've got bike lanes or biking shoulders for the full length of the 35 mile ride. Thanks to everyone in the community in Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, and LeeDOT who have made these improvements possible.

The only problem we noticed on our great Sunday ride was the number of people who were riding the wrong way in the bike lanes! My rough guess is that about 25-30% of the people using the bike lanes on Sunday were riding the wrong direction. I hope that the City of Fort Myers Beach, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Sheriff's office will look into a education campaign to inform visitors and residents that it's illegal and unsafe to ride against traffic in the bike lanes. Let us know what your experience has been. Thanks!
Darla Letourneau

Update on Cape Coral bike lanes pending request

2011-11-07T12:37:00.002-05:00

Report from Steve Chupack, BikeWalkLee's Cape Coral representative:

Here's the latest on the SW Cape Coral Neighborhood Association's request for 1.1 miles of bike lanes on Beach Parkway and Agualinda Boulevard.

Thanks to efforts by a number of bike/pedestrian safety advocates, we can report unofficially that the Bicycle Lane Request Survey forms submitted to the Department of Public Works show very strong support for this request. The "survey" was just that, an opportunity for citizens to voice their opinion. Staff of PW will include the survey results when it reports to the City Council's Transportation Advisory Commission. It will be one of many factors considered when voting whether to recommend approving the request.

The TAC was scheduled to hold its next meeting on Nov. 16. On Nov. 4, TAC Chairman, Councilman Pete Brandt, cancelled the meeting after polling other members. There will be at least one new member appointed to the TAC at the Council's Nov. 14 meeting, the first after the election. If the TAC meeting was held as scheduled, there would have been only two days for any new member to be brought up to speed on the issues before the TAC, including the pending review of the SWCCNA bike lane request. It is expected the TAC will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14. We will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Patricia Young, Board member of the SWCCNA, and Steve Chupack, BWL representative for Cape Coral, express their thanks to all who used the survey form posted on BikeWalkLee and other sites, to the Caloosa Riders, and others who indicated their strong support for the bike lane request.

Senate transportation reauthorization bill a triple whammy for biking & walking

2011-11-07T12:22:00.008-05:00

November 7th Legislative Report from Alliance for Biking and Walking:

The Senate version of a new two-year transportation authorization bill was released on Friday, and it does not preserve dedicated funding as we had been promised. Worse yet, it adds more eligible activities and gives an opt-out option all together.

Here is a quick analysis from America Bikes:
[Click here to see their side-by-side comparison.]

Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreation Trails Program are all lumped together into a smaller funding pot that is shared with some wetland mitigation banking uses for NEPA compliance AND road uses such as redesigning roads, HOV lanes, etc.

This bill does not address safety concerns, and it includes performance measures that look at project results versus network or system-wide effects. This will make it harder for bicycle and pedestrian projects to compete for CMAQ money.

This bill also keeps the name of Transportation Enhancements (which national bike/ped organizations would prefer to change) and broadens the use of enhancements to include new and expensive uses. In addition, it puts all of TE into a new pot called “Additional Activities.”

In summary it’s a triple whammy for biking and walking:
• Less money
• More competition
• It’s all optional

On the transit side, we understand that the transit funding share will remain the same at 20% and that there will be flexibility for transit in the bill. More details will be forthcoming on this section of the bill and many others.

On Wednesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will "mark up" the bill. Usually, this would give a chance for members of the committee to offer amendments to improve the bill, and those amendments would be debated and voted on. However, Wednesday’s committee mark-up is a sham. The “Big 4” — Senators Boxer (D-CA), Inhofe (R-OK), Baucus (D-MT) and Vitter (R-LA) — have stated they will vote together as a bloc to stop any amendment on either side from passinhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifg, so we don't expect any changes in the bill at this step.

In the next several days, our national partners, America Bikes, Transportation for America, Alliance for Biking and Walking, the National Complete Streets Coalition, etc. will be issuing analyses and statements about the bill, and we'll keep you abreast of important developments.

Stay tuned for future action alerts!

Click here to read the Nov. 8th statement by Bicycling and Walking Organizations in response to the Senate bill (called MAP-21).

Click here for an analysis of the bill by Transportation for America.

Update on Lee County New Horizon 2035--moving from the EAR to comp plan amendments

2011-11-05T17:12:00.004-04:00

Horizon 2035 is a comprehensive review and update of the Lee Plan through the year 2035. New Horizon 2035 include three components: the Evaluation and Appraisal Report, the Lee Plan Update, and the LDC Update. The EAR resulted in a sustainable vision for growth and development through the year 2035. Lee County is now using this vision as the basis to update the Lee Plan’s goals, objectives and policies.

The New Horizon 2035 vision is:

Lee County will be a highly desirable place to live, work, and visit – recognized for its commitment to a sustainable future characterized by a healthful economy, environment, and community. Because of its commitment, Lee County will be a community of choice – valued for its quality of life; varied natural environment; unique sense of history and place; distinct urban, suburban, and rural communities; diverse economy and workforce; and varied travel options.

The Lee Plan Update is being completed in two parts: policy issue discussions and draft elements. Before drafting goals and policies, the County's Planning Division will present a series of monthly issue papers to the Local Planning Agency and Sustainability Committee for input.

The first issue paper was presented in the fall of 2011 and will continue through winter 2012. Once the issue papers have been completed, staff will then present specific changes to the Lee Plan's goals, objectives, and policies.

These changes will be presented by element starting in spring 2012. The process for updating the Lee Plan will continue through the winter of 2012-2013. To date, two white papers have been prepared and each is going through the review and discussion process in two county committees--the Local Planning Agency (LPA) and the Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC). Both issue papers--Visioning & Health & Human Services, along with LPA's comments, are located on the Horizon 2035 website.

The Public Health & Safety issue paper, discussed by the LPA on October 24th, draws from BikeWalkLee's 2009 safety report and the MPO bike/ped master plan to make the case for the connection between health and urban design and the need to incorporate the alternative transportation impact on the health of Lee County residents in developing policies on urban design. To read this issue paper, click here. The next paper to be developed is of critical importance--transportation concurrency. That issue paper will be presented to the LPA in January and to the CSAC in February.

In order to ensure that the Horizon 2035 vision of integrating complete streets principles in the county's policies and practices, this vision has to be incorporated into detailed Comprehensive Plan amendments that will result from these issue papers. BikeWalkLee will be an active player in this dialogue through participating in the LPA and CSAC discussions and will keep you posted on these developments.

Forty-six organizations sent letters of support for MPO's TIGER III complete streets project grant application

2011-10-28T21:30:00.018-04:00

On October 31st, the Lee MPO submitted it's application for a TIGER III grant to fund a complete streets initiative. As part of the application, an amazing 46 organizations & entities responded to BikeWalkLee's request for letters of support. We would like to thanks the following organizations for their letters of support:
• LeHigh Acres Economic Development Board, Edd Weiner, CEO
• Florida Wildlife Federation, Nancy Payton, Southwest Florida Field Representative
• School District of Lee County, Dr. Joseph Burke, Superintendent
• Lee County Community Sustainability Advisory Committee, Dr. Margaret Banyan, Chair
• Easter Seals, Debra Lynne, Vice President
• Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Liz Donley, Interim Executive Director
• Lee County Board of County Commissioners, Frank Mann, Chair
• Housing Authority of Fort Myers, Marcus Goodson, Executive Director
• Southwest Florida Addiction Services, Kevin Lewis, Chief Executive Officer
• Estero Council of Community Leaders, Don Eslick, Chair
• Department of Health, Judith Hartner, Director
• Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, Tamara Pigott, Executive Director
• Boston Red Sox, Katie Haas, Director of Florida Business Operations
• Healthy Start of Southwest Florida, Cathy Timuta, Executive Director
• United States Senate, Senator Bill Nelson
• Florida House of Representatives, Representative Gary Aubuchon
• Palm Beach Boulevard Community Panel, Kenneth Breffle
• American Planning Association of Florida Chapter Promised Lands, Alexis Crespo, Chair
• AARP, Jeff Johnson, State Director
• BikeWalkLee, Darla Letourneau
• Sheriff Lee County, Mike Scott, Sheriff
• Fort Myers YMCA, Jim Sanger, Area President
• Lee MPO, MPO Board
• Stay Alive Just Drive, Jay Anderson, Executive Director
• LeeTran, Steven Myers, Transit Director
• Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Andrew McElwaine, President and CEO
• City of Bonita Springs, Carl Schwing, City Manager
• Florida Gulf Coast University, Wilson Bradshaw, President
• Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency, Don Paight, Executive Director
• Lee Memorial Health Systems, Jim Nathan, President
• Sanibel Bicycle Club, Michael Miller, President-Elect
• Florida Bicycle Association, Timothy Bustos, Executive Director
• Town of Fort Myers Beach, Terry Stewart, Town Manager
• Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Colleen Depasquale, Executive Director
• Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Bert Hamilton
• City of Sanibel, Kevin Ruane, Mayor
• Spikowski Planning Associates, Bill Spikowski
• River of Grass Greenway, Maureen Bonness Co- Director
• Florida Planning and Zoning Association, Paula McMichael, Chapter Director
• Residents of lee County, Robbie B. Roepstorff
• Reconnecting Lee County, Beverly Grady
• Collier Smart Growth Coalition, Stacy Revay, Chair
• United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, Clifford Smith, President
• ULI, David Farmer, Chairman
* State Representative Matt Caldwell
* Fort Myers City Mayor, Randy Henderson

THANK YOU!!!

Now we wait until the Winter/Spring to hear the results of the national competition. Fingers crossed!

Funding for Lee County MPO transportation projects in FDOT’s 5-year work plan

2011-10-28T05:34:00.005-04:00

Report by Darla Letourneau: 10/28/11

Background: In June of each year, the Lee MPO submits its 5-year list of priority projects to FDOT for consideration. FDOT reviews the list against available resources and decides what projects to fund. In October of each year, the "FDOT draft work plan" is presented to the MPO for approval. Finally, in December, the FDOT work plan is finalized by FDOT and it becomes the funding plan. Of course, as funding shortfalls occur or additional funds become available, FDOT revises this work plan.

BikeWalkLee reviewed the FDOT draft plan 2012-17and made comments about the plan at MPO committee and board meetings in October. The work plan was approved by the MPO Board on 10/28/11. The following are highlights of BikeWalkLee’s analysis and comments:

Global Look
For the MPO’s 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan ( LRTP) and policy priorities by the Board to be meaningful, they need to track the results and keep policymakers informed as to how these decisions fit into that big picture framework vs. just reviewing a list of projects.
• What is split by mode share & how does that compare to last yr?
• How are we implementing the goal of making road improvements first before creating new road capacity?
• How does FDOT plan compare to the MPO Board’s June 2011 priority request?
• Did FDOT support the priorities the Board established?
• How does the mix of types of projects change from what the Board requested?

BikeWalkLee’s analysis shows that:
• Overall, we’re moving in right direction, consistent with LRTP goals and with MPO priorities.
• There is a major increase in transit in this 5-year plan—mode share to transit jumped from 11% to 20%--which is consistent with the LRTP. The recent LeeTran federal competitive grant award of $13.9 M further adds to the increased investment in transit in our community.
• With respect to road improvement vs. increased capacity, our analysis shows that split is 22% improvement and 73% increased capacity, which is a better split than in the MPO’s June request (15/85).
• As a share of the total transportation dollars to the Lee MPO, bike/ped has increased from 2% to 3%.—up 1/3 over last year.

Bike/Ped Projects in 5-Year Plan

FDOT District 1 (thank you, Trinity Scott) again prepared special tables that allow us to easily see what’s in the work plan for bike/ped.
Click here to see the tables.
• There are 24 bike/ped stand-alone projects in the 5-year plan, 5 more than last year, totaling $11.3 million (up slightly from $11.2 M last year.
• The list of bike/ped priority projects submitted the MPO in June was funded—with exception of 2 regional enhancement requests--10-Mile Linear phase V, and the complete streets demonstration project in Fort Myers. Hopefully, they’ll be considered next year.
• On projects where a portion of road project will benefit bike/ped –there are 26 road projects totaling $91.8 million that include bike/ped facilities. Of these, 4 safety projects, totaling $4.1 Million, (using federal highway safety funds (HSIP)), should help improve safety for bike/ped/transit users.

Action Needed by LeeDOT and Local Jurisdictions:
At the various MPO committee meetings, FDOT officials stated that there is still $6.5 million in the “pot” for potential bike/ped, congestion management type projects and that there are no more projects in the queue. They urged local jurisdictions to get busy now and submit projects for the list. With the new countywide bike/ped master plan there is a priority list of needs. It’s critical that each jurisdiction take that list and start submitting projects to be funded!

On October 28th, the MPO issued instructions for these grant applications, which are due by Dec. 2nd. Click here for the instructions.

Next Steps:
While the FDOT draft work plan was good news for Lee County, FDOT warned the county that new revenue shortfalls have been estimated and that there are insufficient funds for this work plan. In December, a revised draft work plan reflecting a cut in funds will be submitted to the MPO. Stay tuned!

Walking and rolling school buses provide safe alternative to the car line

2011-10-26T13:31:00.003-04:00

Dan Moser's Florida Weekly column 10/26/11

moserdeleon@juno.com

Earlier this month, a national event quite a few of our public schools have participated in for many years took place locally, but with fewer schools signing on than in the past. The annual Walk to School Day is meant to remind students, parents and school personnel of the many benefits of using active transportation to get kids to their destination. And, if the one-day activity has the intended effect, the experience should lead to walking or cycling becoming a regular method of transport. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked that way, primarily because parents continue to serve as chauffeurs for their children.

One of the reasons often cited by parents for their reluctance to allow or encourage their kids to walk or ride a bike to school is because of the traffic chaos that reigns around almost each and every school. Why is it this way? Because so many parents drive their children to school. They are the cause of the chaos but can be the solution by staying out of the fray in their motor vehicles.

Another concern often brought up — and all too frequently perpetuated by media, school administrators and even law enforcement — is that of “stranger danger.” No one would deny that scary things do sometimes happen, but such incidents are much rarer than some would lead us to believe. In fact, kids are much more likely to be injured or killed in car crashes while being driven to school than even approached by potential predators or others who would do them harm. If the concept of walking or rolling school busses (www.walkingschoolbus.org) caught on — where adults chaperon groups of students — concerns about stranger danger or bullying would disappear completely in most cases. Add to that the many other benefits of getting kids on their feet and bikes and reducing the number of cars on the roads around schools.

In a related matter, a request was made recently by a Lee County School District Board member to close the Summerlin Road bike path where it deviates from the highway and runs behind some condos, an apartment complex and an elementary school.

The reason cited? To protect school children from apartment dwellers who will be living in those apartments that are soon to become low-income housing. If such a request isn’t inappropriate I’m not sure what is. Fortunately, this knee-jerk, misguided approach to dealing with change — and low income individuals and families — was shot down. I question whether this is about protecting the kids or “protecting” property values in the nearby well-to--do neighborhood since closing the pathway would cut off access between the apartment complex and that neighborhood.

Upcoming events

Pretty much to a person, anyone who has taken one or more CyclingSavvy sessions to learn how to drive their bike in traffic has come away a more confident and less-stressed user of our pubic roadways. All three segments are being offered in Fort Myers again: one weeknight evening class Wednesday, Nov. 9; one Saturday morning on-bike session to practice skills in a parking lot environment Nov. 12; and a Saturday afternoon tour of roads and intersections on the same day. The cost is $30 per session or $75 for all three. You may visit cyclingsavvy.org for complete details and to register for this excellent Florida Bicycle Association program.

For all you runners out there, it’s that time of year when you have quite a number of choices from which to choose. Check out the adjoining list of Running/ Walking events, tighten your laces and get out there.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and trails. ¦

— Dan Moser is a league cycling and CyclingSavvy instructor and programs director for the Florida Bicycle Association who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. He can be contacted at dan@floridabicycle.org or 334- 6417

BikeWalkLee views on Transportation Concurrency

2011-10-25T10:18:00.004-04:00

One of the most important issues that the county will be addressing this year is how to change its transportation concurrency policies and methodologies. Changes in Florida law last year has given local jurisdictions a golden opportunity to remove one of the largest obstacles to planning for a balanced multi-modal transportation system and creating sustainable communities. The law now allows each local government to decide how to address congestion. The current “black box” models (traffic and level of service(LOS)usually result in high-speed over-designed roads that are useful only during the very heaviest travel periods. This planning is then carried out at tremendous expense, to the detriment of those who would prefer more options for transit, walking and bicycling and to the detriment of those whose neighborhoods now face over-scaled highways.

The Lee County administration recently reported to the commissioners that they were proposing to retain an amended form of transportation concurrency. They are recommending changes be made as part of the Comprehensive Plan amendments being developed to implement the Horizon 2035 Plan (EAR). The county administration is developing a white paper to present the issue and options, which will be presented to the Local Planning Agency (LPA) in January to the Community Sustainability Committee (CSAC) in February 2012.

As some may remember, the Lee County MPO adopted a resolution calling for a 2012 update of 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) that would reflect better methodologies for modeling and scenario planning. It is critical that these two organizations work together so that the new methodologies are consistent. The outcome should be concurrency tools in the Comp Plan and the LRTP that no longer work against balanced, multi-modal, and sustainable transportation and land use planning.

At the 10/21/11 Joint Lee/Collier MPO meeting, BikeWalkLee’s representative, Darla Letourneau, urged the officials to change these methodologies so that they support the county’s vision. She also urged the entities to collaborate and coordinate among the various agencies working on these issues. The County and the MPO must seize this opportunity to radically change these policies and methodologies so that they support the new vision our policymakers have for the future of Lee County. The county needs to explore multi-modal and sustainability metrics to replace the current crude reliance on LOS for roads.

The state has returned control on a key issue to local governments and it’s important that we use this opportunity to make transportation concurrency support our local vision and our community plans. Adjusting the “black box” to match our community’s goals is one of the most important actions that can be taken to effect changes in land use and transportation here at home.

By Darla Letourneau

Submit Cape Coral bike lanes survey form by Oct. 29th

2011-10-25T09:59:00.005-04:00

Many have asked how to support the SW Cape Coral Neighborhood Association's request for bike lanes on Agualinda Blvd. and Beach Parkway, a total of 1.1 miles would connect with 17 miles of existing lanes and bike path. The Cape Coral Public Works Department is accepting the survey form linked below if postmarked no later than Saturday, October 29th. More than one form may be completed by adults in a single household. You need not be a resident of Cape Coral to submit the form. Print form, complete and mail to Public Works address on form. The form may also be faxed to public works: fax # 239-574-0732. If you completed this form at the Oct. 5th open house in Cape Coral, please do not submit another form. Thanks.

Link to Survey Form

News-Press: Lee seeks to secure path funds

2011-10-25T09:09:00.006-04:00

October 25, 2011
by Bob Rathegeber

A Lee County planning group is seeking
$10 million in grant money from the
federal government to build a series of
bicycle and pedestrian paths.

The money is part of a U.S. Department of
Transportation $526 million grant
program.

An additional $4.6 million in county funds
would allow for the building of what the
Metropolitan Planning Organization calls
“three signature demonstration projects” —
Tour de Parks, University Loop and
Winkler/Jefferson Complete Streets project.

The Tour de Parks starts at Lakes Park and
trails to Lee County Sports Complex and
the new Red Sox stadium; the University
Loop around FGCU; and the
Winkler/Jefferson circle just south of Fort
Myers Country Club in Fort Myers.

Don Scott, MPO director, said Monday the
application is being tailored after previous
plans that were successful.

“It’s very competitive,” Scott said. In
previous rounds one of 30-40 applications
was approved, Scott said.

Dave Loveland, interim director of the Lee
County Department of Transportation, is
optimistic of landing the grant.

“I think it’s realistic,” Loveland said. “The
federal government has indicated that
these are the kinds of projects they are
looking for, alternative ways of
transportation.”

BikeWalkLee, a coalition seeking more
bicycle and pedestrian paths throughout
the county, has been working with the MPO
on the plan.

Darla Letourneau, a spokeswoman for the
group, said the federal grant would close
holes in the existing path system.

“By linking the three projects and filling
gaps, there would be a connected corridor
of biking and walking facilities from
downtown Fort Myers down to FGCU and
then linked to Collier County by transit,”
she said.

In a letter of support to Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood, Letourneau wrote:
“This project has the potential to be a
game-changer for our region and serve as
a model throughout Florida.”

There are no accurate data of how many
people use bike lanes and sidewalks in Lee
County. So, FGCU assistant professor
Margaret Banyan sent students in her state
and local government class to gather
anecdotal evidence.

In two, two-hour counts last year at 11
different locations throughout the county,
students recorded 666 walkers and bikers
on a Tuesday morning and Saturday
afternoon.

By far, the busiest area was near the
intersection of Old 41 Road and Terry
Street in Bonita Springs where the count
was a combined 298.

“That shows that some of these are not just
a recreation route,” Banyan said, “they are
routes people use for work.”

Safety is another factor in the desire for
more pedestrian routes.

The latest statistics show Florida to be
among the most dangerous states for
walkers and bike riders, and Lee County
among the worst in the state.

“If you don’t have decent, safe facilities,
you won’t see people on them.”

Several miles of pathways are either under
construction or have been completed in the
past year. Those include bike lanes and
sidewalks along S.R. 82, Colonial
Boulevard, Six Mile Cypress Parkway and
Daniels Parkway as well as on U.S. 41 in
San Carlos Park and Estero.

Among several miles of sidewalks under
construction in Fort Myers is one along
Tarpon Street. Due to be completed in
December, the new walkway will link up
with a path to the Tarpon Street Pier, a
popular fishing spot in the area.

The grant money comes from the
Transportation Investment Generating
Economic Recovery program, which has its
origins with the federal stimulus act of
2009.

The article is also posted on BWL's website.

BikeWalkLee views on proposed Heartland Parkway

2011-10-24T10:14:00.003-04:00

BikeWalkLee recently wrote a guest opinion piece (9/14/11) in News-Press expressing our concerns about the Governor’s new Florida transportation plan. On Friday, the joint Lee/Collier discussed the one project in his plan that impacts Southwest Florida—the Heartland Parkway.

BikeWalkLee’s representative, Darla Letourneau spoke at the meeting and expressed our concerns that this proposed project is inconsistent with the goals & objectives of the Florida 2060 Transportation Plan and the Lee County MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan. Both of those plans focused on the need to balance & integrate transportation modes & investments to promote sustainable economic development. Transportation investments should focus on multi-modal transportation. Transportation investments need to promote economic development in the existing urban areas, not create new areas. They should maximize the use of existing transportation facilities and explore opportunities for improved connectivity before adding new facilities.

The Heartland Parkway proposal is a classic example of the old way of thinking—just build bigger, faster roads & that will solve our transportation needs. This is the same failed approach that caused Florida’s housing and economic downturn, and is a formula for more sprawl. These are tough economic times: it’s very important to use our scarce resources wisely. This project will divert funds from SWFL’s transportation priorities. Our transportation priorities will suffer if planning studies are undertaken for this potential road project. If the road is actually built, nothing will be left for our priorities.

Other organizations spoke against the proposal, including the Audubon Society of Collier County and the Estero Council of Community Leaders. They pointed out that this proposal has the process backwards—land use should be planned first and then the transportation plans should work to implement the land use plan. The Heartland proposal builds new roads first and assumes that development will occur where the roads are, bringing the kind of sprawl we have on the coast to the inland area.

We urge both MPOs to send a strong message to the Governor that this project is not consistent with this community’s vision of the future for Southwest Florida. Our local elected officials should decide what’s best for our communities & region, not Tallahassee.

Fowler Street one-way extension proposal

2011-10-24T10:08:00.002-04:00

Report by Ann Pierce, BikeWalkLee Representative in City of Fort Myers

On Friday, October 28, the MPO will vote on a measure to amend the Long-Range Transportation Plan regarding a proposed one-way extension of Fowler Street, in downtown Fort Myers, beyond MLK, to connection at Metro Parkway and Kennesaw Street. Currently, the project is designated as ready for design phase. The upcoming vote is to move it back into a new study phase. The original study was done over 18 years ago, and much has changed in Fort Myers in the interim.
When this new study is done, these important concerns need to be addressed: alternatives to extending this one way, alternatives to the existing one ways or portions thereof, impacts on people newly are intermittently venturing into downtown Fort Myers, impacts on business revenues and residential property values, implications for transit access and ease of multi-directional use (particularly in service to the planned new regional library at the corner of Second Street& Royal Palm Avenue, in downtown Fort Myers ),impact on future development along and adjacent to the one-way corridors, and bike/ped accessibility, conductivity and safety.
The study update should also address the following evidence from studies of similar existing single-purpose, urban, one-way pairs:
• Existing evidence indicates significant negative impacts from one-way pairs on business revenue and surrounding property values by as much as 20%.
• One-way pairs increase vehicle miles traveled from 20 to 50%, in the recirculation required to reach a destination.
• One-way pairs increase turning maneuvers from 20 to 60%, greatly increasing the chances of conflict with cyclists and pedestrians.
• Vehicles on one-way roads consistently travel well above the posted speed, resulting in more severe bike/pedestrian crashes.
• Those most disoriented, confused or discouraged by urban one-way pairs are new visitors, vacationers, and the occasional user.... A poor invitation, indeed.

Both Lee County and the City of Fort Myers have committed to the principles of complete streets, requiring a rebalancing of their roadways, making them safer and friendlier for all modes of travel. Therefore any further considerations of this project should address those principles in the context of encouraging a thriving, healthy residential and business environment in County, as well as the City of Fort Myers.

New bike/ped facilities included in nine major Lee County road projects

2011-10-19T22:21:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday, News-Press had a front page story about nine major road projects under construction throughout the county. What the article didn't say was that all of these projects (except I-75 where it's illegal) have bike/ped facilities. Here's the list of what's coming soon in terms of improved bike/ped facilities...in addition to the stand-alone bike/ped projects we reported on last week:

Bike/ped facilities on nine road projects in News-Press 10/18/11 article,
“No joy riding in much of Lee”
1. The 6-laning of I-75 (target: Fall 2013)
• None--No bike/ped facilities allowed on interstates

2. The 6-laning of SR 82 from Ortiz Ave. to Lee/Colonial Blvd (target: Summer 2012)
• SR 82 will have on-road bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides

3. The 6-laning of Colonial Blvd (target: Nov. 2011)
• Colonial will have 4 ft. on-road bike lanes (other than through the interchange area) and 8 ft. pathways on both sides of the road

4. The Ben C. Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway widening (target: Dec. 2011)
• Six Mile Cypress will have on-road bike lanes & a new pathway on the west side of the road

5. A new Cape Coral Bridge toll plaza (target: June 2012)
• Paved shoulders are included

6. The 6-laning of Daniels Parkway (target: Feb. 2012)
• Daniels will have on-road bike lanes that will be extended to Treeline Dr. (widening ends at Chamberlin)
• The pathway on the north side will remain

7. The 6-laning of U.S. 41 from Corkscrew Rd. to San Carlos (target: Summer 2013)
• US 41 will have on-road bike lanes & 5-6 ft. sidewalks on both sides of the road

8. Construction on 6-laning of a mile stretch of Bonita Beach Rd. (target: Summer 2013)
• Bonita Beach Rd. will have on-road bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the road

9. New Matlacha Bridge (target: Dec. 2012)
• The new bridge will have on-road bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides

Angie Ferguson column: Cyclist are using road because law allows it

2011-10-18T14:38:00.003-04:00

Today's Angie Ferguson Fitness column in the News-Press, she uses her recent cycling experience (while wearing her new "3 feet please" jersey!) to explain to News-Press readers about the cyclists rights on the road under the law. Thanks, Angie!

News-Press 10/18/11

This past weekend I was riding along on the right third of my lane, obeying the traffic laws and wearing my new favorite "3 feet please" jersey, when a concerned citizen with out-of-state tags yelled to me (and not in the supportive, cheering way), "That's why there are sidewalks."

Instead of being angry or annoyed, I refuse to adopt an us-versus-them mentality (cyclists versus cars) because we always lose. Rather, I think this is an ideal time with the onset of season to review the traffic laws, educate drivers of both vehicular and two-wheeled traffic alike and hopefully make our roads a safer place all around.

Click here to continue reading the article.

LeeTran wins $13.9 million federal competitive grant for bus replacements

2011-10-17T18:11:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to Lee County government! Today the US Secretary of Transportation announced grants awards worth a total of $930 million for 300 transit projects as part of the Federal Transit Administration's national competitive grant program for transit upgrades, such as replacing older buses with hybrids. LeeTran was awarded $13.9 million for bus replacements. They received the largest grant in Florida and it was one of the largest grant amounts awarded nationwide, except for grants to a State DOT or a major city like Chicago. This is great news for LeeTran.

Read the Secretary's blog story. Click on the link to the FTA grants to see the list of projects.

.

Cape Coral teen pedestrian killed by car

2011-10-14T22:07:00.005-04:00

Wednesday night's pedestrian fatality is a horrible tragedy. According to the NBC-2 News account, she was distracted by her i-pod. This is a sobering reminder that kids (and adults) need to put down their electronic devices & be aware of their surroundings & pay attention when they're walking or crossing the street. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Taylor Palmer.

NBC-2 News, 10/13/11

Parents that are no stranger to tragedy are dealing with heartbreak again after their teenage daughter was hit and killed by a car while leaving a high school football game. It happened seven years after her older sister was killed in an ATV crash.

Taylor Palmer, a sophomore at North Fort Myers High School, was hit while trying to cross Pondella Road Wednesday night.

The driver of the 2005 Ford Taurus was 30-year-old Lauren Franklin of North Fort Myers. She was heading east along an unlit portion of the roadway shortly before 8 p.m.

Still stunned by the tragedy, one of her friends was willing to speak about the minutes leading up to her death.

Friend Dylan Corbin says Palmer was crossing the street to head back to the North Fort Myers High football game.

She'd left early to meet him and another friend - walking alone about three-quarters of a mile to Pondella. Then, they were all going to go back to the game to cheer on their school.

"We went to cross the street and she stopped. She stopped to look at her iPod and started walking again and a car hit her," he remembered. "She didn't see it."

Palmer was right behind Corbin and he said he thought she saw the car coming toward them.

Click the title above to see the full story.

Click here for the News-Press story, which reports on the suggested need for a streetlight in this area.

Fix sought for Cape Coral land-plan woes

2011-10-14T21:34:00.005-04:00

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Friday's seminar on platted lands legacy in SW Florida attracted a full house of elected officials, government staff, planners, attorneys, and citizen activists (including BikeWalkLee representatives) to discuss finding a solution to the economic development & urban sprawl problems created by pre-platted communities, such as Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres. Speakers included Lee County Commission Chair, Frank Mann, State Rep. Gary Aubuchon and Rep. Matt Caldwell.

Thanks to Reconnecting Lee and the American Planning Association of Florida for sponsoring this important community conversation.

Click here to see the NBC-2 report.

Click here to read the News-Press story.

Upcoming Action Alert: Congress may again consider elimination of biking & walking programs

2011-10-14T19:37:00.008-04:00

Back in September, we issued an action alert on the Coburn amendment to eliminate funding for the Transportation Enhancement (TE) program, which provides significant funding for bike/ped program.

While we were able to beat back the Coburn amendment, new attacks on TE continue to surface. Bills have been introduced in Congress to eliminate the set aside for TE or to shift the TE money toward bridge repair. Our national partner organizations are working to fight these attacks and will be looking to the local advocates to educate their members of Congress about the importance of these programs at the local level. It's possible that there will be an effort in the Senate next week to divert TE funds, so stayed tuned for a potential action alert.

Model Design Manual will help communities turn complete streets policy into practice

2011-10-14T06:06:00.003-04:00

As Lee County and the City of Fort Myers work on implementing their complete streets policies, a fabulous new & FREE tool was made available this week. This new manual, developed by an impressive team of national experts, shows how to apply national best practices in multi-modal transportation and sustainability to local context and streets. No need to re-invent the wheel--just adapt this template to our local community! Below is the story about the manual by the National Complete Streets Coalition.

National Complete Streets Coalition Blog
By Stefanie Seskin, on October 13th

Last week, our movement grew even stronger with the unveiling of the Model Design Manual for Living Streets, available for free download.

The new manual provides a template for local jurisdictions to begin updating their existing design guidance, one of our four steps to effective implementation of Complete Streets policies.

As a template, it allows jurisdictions without the resources to undertake major revisions to their guidance an opportunity to apply national best practices in multimodal transportation and environmental sustainability to local context and streets. Communities can amend the manual with more in-depth guidance, adding additional components, adopt it wholesale, or pick and choose the chapters that best fit their needs. Chapters include:

Street networks and classifications
Traveled way design
Intersection design
Universal pedestrian access
Pedestrian crossings
Bikeway design
Traffic calming
Transit accommodations
Traffic calming
Streetscape ecosystem
Re-placing Streets
Designing land use along living streets
Retrofitting suburbia
Community engagement for street design

Recommendations to maximize benefit and minimize costs of building and maintaining street networks are numerous.

Ryan Synder Associates, a Coalition Platinum Partner, led the development of the manual and was assisted a team of over 40 experts in Complete Streets, including the Coalition’s Executive Director Barbara McCann, numerous workshop instructors, and representatives from multiple Coalition partners and members. Their work was made possible by funding from the Department of Health and Human Services through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The manual will specifically help Californian communities meet the goals set by the state Complete Streets law and recent requirements to reduce stormwater runoff. However, its framework will allow any community to create better, more complete streets that result in healthier, safer, and more livable neighborhoods.

It should be a tool in any city’s toolbox.

Update on county & local bike/ped projects completed over the summer

2011-10-13T17:47:00.006-04:00

Note: updated on 10/18/11 for City of Fort Myers information

If you’ve been away for the summer and just returning to town, you may notice some new and improved bike/ped facilities throughout the county. Periodically, we ask transportation agencies to update us on the status of bike/ped projects under construction. Below is the information I’ve received to date. When additional reports come in, I’ll post them. Thanks to LeeDOT,Sanibel, Cape Coral and Fort Myers staff for providing this information!

Projects completed:
LeeDOT:
• Hickory Blvd. (Bonita Springs)—shoulders/bike lanes (approximately 4 miles) & the existing sidewalks were resurfaced and ADA retrofits were done (approximately 2 mile)—completed in July.
• Three sidewalks in Palmona Park (Cape Coral) sidewalks completed:
o Atlantic Ave.—Pine Island Rd. to Monterey St. (.51 miles)
o Tennessee Ave.—Pine Island Rd. to Clark St. (.12 miles)
• Page Park (Fort Myers) sidewalk completed:
o 2nd Ave—Oak Dr. to Maple Dr. (.14 miles)

Sanibel:
Sanibel takes the prize for the most improvements (relative to their size) completed over the summer:

• Shared use path extension projects – totaling approximately 1 mile at following locations:
• Dunlop Road and Wooster Lane (location of City Hall, Library, BIG Arts, Historical Village, etc.)
• Sanibel-Captiva Road from Pine Avenue to Blind Pass Bridge (filling the gap between Sanibel & Captiva) (will be completed by 10/21)

• Shared use path improvement project – approximately 1/2 mile at following location:
• Tarpon Bay Road from Palm Ridge Road to Island Inn Road

• Shared use path widening project – totaling approximately 1 mile at following locations:
• Causeway Boulevard
• Lindgren Boulevard
• Algiers Lane
• Periwinkle Way

• Shared use path repair project – approximately 1.4 miles of repairs at following locations:
• Island wide

• Shared use path striping repairs – 33 crosswalks re-striped at following locations:
• Island wide

Cape Coral:
The following sidewalk projects, totalling 12 miles, have been completed this year:
o Beach Parkway (Surfside Blvd to Chiquita) (3.1 miles)
o Nicholas Parkway (Santa Barbara to SR 76) (2.2 miles)
o Oasis Blvd ( S@ 38 Terrance to Gleason Parkway) (.5 miles)
o SW 38 Terrace (Agualinda Bld to Oasis (.4 miles)
o Trafalger Parkway (Santa Barbara to Chiquita) (2.6 miles)
o Skyline Blvd (SW 21st to SW 19th St. (1.6 miles)
o SW 6th Ave. (Trafalger Parkway to SW 19th St.) (.3 miles)
o SW 19th St. (Skyline to SW 6 Ave.) (.2 miles)
o SE 8 St. (Cultural Park Blvd to Santa Barbara) (1 mile)

Four miles of new multi-use paths were completed:
o Del Prado Blvd. (SR 78 to Kismet Parkway) (4 miles)

City of Fort Myers:
5 sidewalk projects:
o Challenger Blvd. sidewalks connection (Challenger Blvd. to Winkler)
o Henderson sidewalk replacement (Herderson Ave. by MLK Blvd) (.1 mile)
o Marion Ave. Sidewalk (Marion Ave. between Terry & SR 80) (.3 mile)
o Cranford Ave. sidewalk (Cranford Ave. between Edison & Lafayette (.1 miles)
o Veronica Shoemaker Blvd. sidewalk (VSM from MLK Blvd. to Michigan Ave. ((.5 miles)

Projects under construction:
LeeDOT:
• Summerlin – Cypress Lake to Boy Scout – 1.8 miles – will be completed by the end of October
• Colonial – I-75 to SR 82 – shared use path--2 Miles – will be completed in November
• Six Mile Cypress Pkwy. – Daniels to Heritage Palms - 2.5 miles – will be completed in early 2012
• Daniels – Gateway to Chamberlain (includes restriping for bike lane to Treeline) – 3 miles – will be completed in Feb. 2012
• Bonita Beach Rd. (Bonita Springs) – Old 41 to Lime St. sidewalks on both sides & paved shoulders – 1 mile – will be completed in Spring 2013

City of Fort Myers:
5 sidewalk projects:
o Polk Ave. sidewalk (Polk Ave. from Palm Beach to Marion) (.5 miles)--to be completed by May 2012
o Thomas Ave. sidewalk ((Thomas St. from Henderson to Highland (.24 miles)--to be completed in May 2012
o Fountain Avenue sidewalk (Fountain St. MLK to Thomas St.) (.24 miles)--to be completed in May 2012
o Veronica Shoemaker Blvd (Phase II) (VSMB from Michigan to Marion) (.5 miles)--to be completed August 2012
o Tarpon Street sidewalk (Tarpon from SR 82 to Edgewood Ave.) (.2 miles)--to be completed Dec. 2011

If you know of local projects that have been completed, send me info and I'll post (dletourneau@bikewalklee.org).

Also, if you have questions about other projects and want to know the status, send me an e-mail.

In addition to new facilities, some new bike/ped safety signs have been installed. If you notice new signs or crosswalk improvements, drop me a note and maybe a photo.

Take a walk, a run, or a bike ride and explore these new and improved biking and walking facilities. Spread the word to your friends and neighbors. Send us a photo or comment on the blog or Facebook page about these new facilities. Last but not least, say “thank you” to the elected officials and government staff who made these improvements possible. [Note: BikeWalkLee’s blog “favorite links” on the right side of the page includes links to contact information for each jurisdiction.] Progress is being made. Thanks, LeeDOT, FDOT, and local cities!