Monday, December 30, 2013

Upcoming cycling/running/walking events



 Check the blog every Monday to see the upcoming biking/walking/running events in Lee County.

 


Upcoming Events

Running/walking:

·        Sunday, Jan. 5: River Roots and Ruts, half marathon and 5K fun run, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com)
·        Saturday, Jan. 11: Mud Run, to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital. 3-mile adult run, 0.5- and 1-mile kid’s runs. Red Neck Yacht Club, Punta Gorda (www.southfloridamudrun.com)
·        Saturday, Jan. 18, Tour de Cape 5K, Cape Harbour Resort, Cape Coral (http://tourdecape.net/)
·        Sunday, March 2: Hooters Half Marathon, Fort Myers (www.hootershalfmarathon.com)  

Cycling & other events:

·        Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 18-19, Tour de Cape, Cape Harbour Resort, Cape Coral. Sunday rides of 15, 30, 60 and 100 miles, plus a short kids/family fun ride on Saturday (http://tourdecape.net/)
·        Saturday, Feb. 15: Ride for Hope, Bonita Springs. 10- 25- and 50-mile options (http://www.hopehcs.org/ride)
·        Sunday, March 16: Royal Palm Classic, organized by the Caloosa Riders. Details at www.caloosariders.org
·        Saturday, March 29: Walk, Wheel, & Wobble for Ataxia, Florida Gulf Coast University. 10-, 30- and 62-mile rides, 5K run (http://knowataxia.webs.com/)

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Bike Tourism and the 2014 Tour de Cape



Time to sign-up for the Tour de Cape-- 2-days of running and biking events Jan. 18-19, including a family fun ride.  This article highlights the connection between this event, the new 90-mile biking route project by Cape Coral Bike-Ped, and bike tourism.  
 
Excitement building for 2014 Tour de Cape
Tour de Cape has expanded to become a full weekend of family-friendly events
 
Expectations usually run high tonight that Santa will leave a shiny lightweight road bike made by Trek or Schwinn under the tree.
And that’s just among adults.
Imaginations also run wild among the kids, who’ll have visions of knobby tires and 10-speed derailleurs dancing in their heads.

Those who get their dreams fulfilled will be able to test their pedal power and endurance less than a month from now when the 23rd Tour de Cape bicycle ride rolls out from Cape Harbour Resort.

“It’s sustained itself because it’s healthy exercise and it’s right after the holidays. People have new equipment and want to go on an organized ride,” said Todd King, Cape Coral’s special events coordinator in the Parks and Recreation Department.  “I think we’re going to have a banner year.”

Registrations are running above average for the event, which starts on Jan. 18 with a 5K foot race and follows on Jan. 19 with bicycle rides of 15, 30, 60 and 100 mile options. The 5K usually draws about 300 to 400 runners, many of whom stick around town for the bike ride. The bike ride usually involves about 1,000 riders.

This year’s Tour de Cape also includes a family fun ride geared to children aged 8-13.
“We discourage training wheels,” King added.

The fun ride is just under three miles and is designed to roll through the neighborhoods around Cape Harbour. It stays south of Cape Coral Parkway to limit the interaction with traffic. Children must wear helmets. Lee Memorial Health Systems is co-sponsoring the fun ride to stress safe riding skills and practices, King said.

Riders will follow routes that have been used consistently throughout the history of the Tour, King said.

But riders may notice the addition of information signs along the southwest area of the city installed with the help of Cape Coral Bike-Ped, a volunteer organization dedicated to improving bicycling throughout the city. It’s the first phase of installing such signs citywide.

“We want to identify the routes, improve the routes and to publicize them for the world to see,” said Bike-Ped spokeswoman Carolyn Conant. “When we started we anticipated it would take a couple of years to raise the money,” Conant said. The group reached its goal in six months.

“This is a very community oriented city. When they see something is really going to happen the city, businesses and civic organizations and clubs really get behind it,” Conant said. “Stay tuned for a sponsored amenities program to enhance the routes with benches and kiosks. We’ll be looking for sponsors.”

The search for sponsors is expected to kick off in March.

The Tour de Cape and marked routes are enhancing Cape Coral’s reputation in the bicycling world, according to Conant.

“Having marked routes will be a tremendous enticement for a number of people not only in the U.S. but throughout the world. It’s very exciting and to have something as well-run as the Tour as the linchpin for this is fabulous,” Conant said.

“Last year I met people from other parts of the world. People come from all over Europe, Canada and the United States. There are people who design vacations around Tour de Cape. That’s going to become greater as we become better known as a bicycling community,” Conant said.

Riders and runners begin arriving for the events on Friday and leave on Sunday, King said. They stay in local hotels and dine in local restaurants, he said.
Bicycling is a billion dollar business in the U.S. and events such as Tour de Cape generate spending that helps local economies.

A report from the National Bicycle Tour Directors Association says bicyclists spend about $14.5 million a year on event-related purchases. Of that $6.1 million comes from personal spending at events.

The National Bicycle Dealers Association also measures bicycling activity. About 39.3 million Americans aged 7 and up rode at least six times in 2012. An estimated 18.7 million bikes were sold in the United States, which has generated $5.8 billion to $6.1 billion in retail sales, including parts and accessories, each year since 2003.

For more information about the Tour de Cape, registration and bicycling in Cape Coral:

BikeWalkLee Column: Ride out the holidays

Today's BWL column is the section's cover story and encourages people to get out over the holidays and start a new tradition of fitness and fun.
 
BikeWalkLee's column in News-Press "Go Coastal" section, December 26, 2013
Christmastime is the perfect time to get out of the house and start a new tradition of fitness and fun.
Getty/News-Press photo
It’s the day after Christmas, and family is probably still in town and the vacations are still at full swing for many of us. Ready to flee from the festivities for a little while, or just looking to establish a new holiday tradition?
 Grab your bike and or walking shoes and hit the road. Why?
• To avoid the tween-holidays traffic gridlock (or at least not contribute to it). This goes double if you happen to be out on any of our island communities, where you might even make better time on your bike.
• To get your guests out of your house for a little while – and give them an experience they’d never get at home this time of year.
• To get some exercise to counter those Christmas calories. Even a leisurely walk or ride beats sitting on the couch.
• To help handcuff the holiday blues. Even 30 minutes of exercise a few days a week can lift your spirits and lower your stress.
• To get some easy gift ideas for the biker or walker in your life. There are myriad great gifts available at your local bike shop or sporting goods store, whatever your price range. Ride to the store to do your shopping and you can accomplish two goals at once.
• To get out and enjoy our beautiful area during one of the nicest times of the year. Hey, people pay big bucks to come here during the holidays. Those of us who live here can get all this for free… and what better way to enjoy it than on a bike or on foot!
• To enjoy the holiday decorations at a much more leisurely pace... either walking through a brightly lit neighborhood or (if you have the necessary lights) enjoying the sights by bike.
• To do something together as a family. Biking or walking is within the grasp of most family members, as well as a great change of scenery and a fun activity for all.
• To take advantage of the more relaxed work schedules some of us get to enjoy this time of year (once the Christmas rush is done). More free time can mean more rides—or at least the option to get a ride or walk in during the week instead of having to wait until the weekend.
Besides, one horse open sleighs are so last century. If you really want to jingle some bells, hang them on your bike and head out for a ride!
 
Upcoming Events Running/walking:
• Sunday, Jan. 5: River Roots and Ruts, half marathon and 5K fun run, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, Jan. 11: Mud Run, to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital. 3-mile adult run, 0.5- and 1-mile kid’s runs. Red Neck Yacht Club, Punta Gorda (southfloridamudrun.com)
• Sunday, March 2: Hooters Half Marathon, Fort Myers (hootershalfmarathon.com)
 

Cycling & other events:
• Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 18-19, Tour de Cape, Cape Harbour Resort, Cape Coral (tourdecape.net)
• Saturday, Feb. 15: Ride for Hope, Bonita Springs. 10- 25- and 50-mile options (hopehcs.org/ride)
• Sunday, March 16: Royal Palm Classic, organized by the Caloosa Riders, details to come (caloosariders.org)
• Saturday, March 29: Walk, Wheel, & Wobble for Ataxia, Florida Gulf Coast University. 10-, 30- and 62-mile rides, 5K run (knowataxia.webs.com/)






BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County—streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at BikeWalkLee.org.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Moser Column:Injury prevention champions recognized

Florida Weekly Dec. 25, 2013
Moser's column this week highlights the recent awards by the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition.  Kudos to all the award winners.
Dan Moser
Lee County residents and visitors are fortunate in that there are many collaborative and ongoing efforts aimed at making our communities better places to live and visit. One that focuses on a number of different aspects of safety, from falls prevention to traffic crash reduction, is the Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition. Each year, the IPC recognizes individuals, groups and organizations that go above and beyond in their efforts. Congratulations to all 2013 winners.

Lifetime Achievement: David Kainrad
The IPC appreciates all of its members and partners, however some seem exceptionally committed to the mission and vision of a cause. David Kainrad is such an individual. Twenty years ago, prior to IPC’s existence, Mr. Kainrad was instrumental in organizing Lee County’s initial community needs assessment. He worked to bring the right players to the table to discuss health and safety issues of the time. It was confirmed that preventable injuries were our county’s leading cause of injuries and death; from that recognition the IPC was created. While Mr. Kainrad spent time leading this coalition, he more often worked from behind the scenes, providing direction, insight and recommendations to the organization. ppSca When the economy collapsed, taking prevention efforts, positions and entire programs with it, it was Lee County Public Safety and Mr. Kainrad who ensured the community continued to receive outreach and prevention education. Mr. Kainrad’s efforts have most certainly saved lives, the IPC’s ultimate goal. Lee County continues to be a leader and model for the state in injury prevention outreach and education thanks to him.

 Organization: Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Among other accomplishments, Complete Streets was first introduced and supported in Southwest Florida via the MPO. Most recently the staff produced an updated bicycle map for the public and was the organization behind the creation and adoption of our first Bike/Ped Safety Action Plan. Along with its members and partners, the MPO has been the primary force in identifying and improving the transportation environment for all users. The MPO’s successful application and award of a highly competitive grant for more than $10 million that will enhance and improve services for thousands of road and path users was a major achievement this year.

Media Partner: Florida Weekly
Florida Weekly has supported multiple prevention efforts throughout the year. It keeps bike/ped matters, senior fall prevention, unsafe driving elimination and other topics important to the IPC on the public’s radar through regular articles and special features. The devotion of space for my biweekly column is another way the newspaper helps promote the IPC’s mission. With so many competing issues to cover it’s difficult for any media outlet to deliver all of the messages it finds important so Florida Weekly deserves recognition for consistently reporting on and supporting many of IPC’s community health and safety initiatives.

Program/Outreach Effort: HealthyLee
HealthyLee is a community initiative working toward a healthier Lee County. It’s an effort focused on promoting health and wellness, workplace wellness, chronic disease prevention and behavioral health opportunities. HealthyLee’s slogan “Choose, Commit, Change” summarizes the objectives of the initiative: that we have the ability to change ourselves by adopting a better diet, participating in healthy activities and eliminating harmful lifestyle habits. HealthyLee has successfully collaborated with Lee Memorial Hospital, the Lee County Health Department and the greater business community to promote these concepts and successfully implement Lee County’s first “Streets Alive!” event.

Sponsor/Partner: Abby Services
This home-health agency is an excellent example of how to meld running a successful business with community service. Not only did Abby Services receive a flawless report from Agency of Health Care Administration, but it also is a leader in a number of community health and safety initiatives. The company partners with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to deliver the “Car Fit” program, which helps seniors be safer drivers on the road; host home health job fairs; and organize community health fairs. All of these programs have helped make our community safer and healthier.

Citizen Volunteer: Reggie McKinnon
Mr. McKinnon consistently participates in health fairs and safety events, volunteering his time and relaying his story to help make sure other families don’t have to experience the tragedy of hyperthermia. It takes a very strong person to relive a nightmare especially in front of strangers. However, his story, while tragic, is an extremely important one for people to hear. Mr. McKinnon has been doing an amazing job helping the community realize how easily these tragedies can occur.

Professional: Susan Lindenmuth
Ms. Lindenmuth has been a consistent health and safety resource and she has played a pivotal role in making Estero Fire and Rescue a prevention leader in Lee County. If Ms. Lindenmuth isn’t out with Ember (the firehouse’s Dalmatian) educating the children in the community, she’s distributing smoke detectors, car seats, bike helmets, and hosting AED, basic life support and first aid classes. ¦
Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and trails.

— Dan Moser is CyclingSavvy instructor/ trainer and program director for Florida Bicycle Association who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Pendergrass Guest opinion: Deaths on roads require our full attention



As a follow-up to the Dec. 10th bike/ped safety law enforcement officials meeting, Commissioner Pendergrass wrote a commentary in today's News-Press about the need for a sustained combined education and enforcement campaign. BWL appreciates Commissioner Pendergrass' leadership on this important effort.

Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass

Written by
Cecil Pendergrass
Special to news-press.com
Too many pedestrians and bicyclists are dying on Lee County roads — 21 pedestrians and nine bicyclists so far this year. Lee County is in the top 10 for worst safety record in Florida, and Florida is the worst in the nation.  [DJL Note: as of 12/22/13, there have been 22 pedestrian and 3 bicyclist fatalities.]

In an effort to change this statistic, I scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue earlier this month with representatives from each law enforcement agency in Lee County along with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Lee Memorial Trauma Center, and citizen advocates including Darla Letourneau of Bike/Walk Lee and members of the Injury Prevention Coalition.

Lee County has made a commitment to safety for our residents by implementing the Complete Streets concept, which provides for adding curbing and sidewalks to our road projects. These changes are intended to make the roads safe for all travelers, no matter how they’re traveling. In Lee County, half of all pedestrian-involved crashes happen when pedestrians are attempting to cross the roadway — with 10 percent of those occurring at a light.

My goal is to encourage a sustained education campaign combined with an enforcement campaign. Around the country, this has proven to be the most effective strategy for change. Think back to the “Click It or Ticket” campaign to encourage seat belt use.

FDOT has initiated a statewide safety campaign called “Alert Today Alive Tomorrow” and has many resources available. They have pledged to assist our law enforcement agencies in applying for grants to facilitate safety enforcement initiatives. Our own Sheriff Mike Scott is already on a statewide task force focusing on this problem, and our District One secretary of Transportation, Billy Hattaway, is the statewide lead for FDOT’s safety campaign — so we have local resources. Now we need a coordinated effort and a commitment from everyone to make this a priority.

In Lee County, we are fortunate to enjoy beautiful weather for biking or walking most of the year. Let’s make the most of it by making it safer for people to be out there moving around. So what can you do? The easiest thing is to be alert to what’s going on around you. If you’re walking or bicycling and wearing earphones, leave one down so you can hear oncoming traffic and respond appropriately.
And next time you’re out driving, take a minute to observe bicyclists and pedestrians around you. When you pull up to an intersection, make sure there is no one waiting to cross before you pull into traffic or initiate that right turn. If you’re out riding a bike, ride with traffic — not against it. In Lee County, 73 percent of bicycle accidents occur when the cyclist is facing oncoming traffic.

Bicycle and pedestrian safety affects the whole county. Accidents are not concentrated in one area over another. Let’s reverse this statistic. Talk to your kids, your spouse, your neighbors and your local law enforcement.

I am committed to making Lee County a model for a well-run government with a vibrant economy and a great standard of living. Making our roads safe for everyone is part of that commitment. I will be asking the stakeholders to commit to quarterly meetings to keep this safety campaign in the forefront of everyone’s mind. Let’s do this!

Cecil L. Pendergrass is District 2 Lee County commissioner.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

BikeWalkLee: Thanks to those who make our biking and walking better

This week's BWL column highlights our recent "Complete Street Champions of the Year" awards to Cape Coral and Sanibel.  Thanks again to both cities and their advocates, CCBP and SBC, for making biking and walking better in Lee County communities. 
One of the many new crosswalks on Sanibel to help facilitate bicyclists and walkers navigating island roads.
One of the many new crosswalks on Sanibel to help facilitate bicyclists and walkers navigating island roads. / Special to The News-Press
BikeWalkLee likes to encourage biking and walking to enjoy the natural beauty and abundant amenities of our area. But many of those amenities wouldn’t exist without the perseverance of government officials and staff and involved community groups to make them happen, and BikeWalkLee wants to encourage those efforts as well as an integral part of expanding biking and walking in our area. 
To do that, BikeWalkLee created the “Complete Streets Champion” award as a way to honor public and private efforts to enhance biking and walking in Lee County. This year, we honored two citizen groups and two municipalities for extraordinary efforts that have meant significant improvements for bikers and walkers in these communities. They are: 
• The City of Cape Coral and Cape Coral Bike-Ped (CCBP) for its innovative public/private partnership to create a safe and connected system of more than 90 miles of cycling routes within Cape Coral. 
• The City of Sanibel and the Sanibel Bicycle Club (SBC) for a decade of incredible work to make Sanibel a model walkable, bikeable community. 
Two years ago, Carolyn Conant, a long-time Cape Coral community leader, brought together other community and business leaders and interested citizens to form CCBP with a goal of developing a bicycle and pedestrian-friendly Cape Coral. 
In the past year: 
• CCBP went to Cape Coral City Council to request a resolution establishing a fund-raising tool and a dedicated account for pedestrian and bicycle paths within the city, which the Council unanimously approved. 
• CCBP identified more than 90 miles of interconnected bike-ped routes, and came up with an innovative approach to seek funds through sponsors. 
• CCBP got the community behind this effort with over 70 distinct businesses, clubs, civic organizations and individuals helping to sponsor or support this effort. 
• In less than six months, CCBP raised the funds for seven named sponsored routes; all route signage will be complete by the end of 2014. It was exciting to see the signs for the first route – Team Aubuchon Route – being installed before Thanksgiving.  
To see the progress that has been achieved in just one year is amazing, and a real harbinger of the good things yet to come for making Cape Coral more bikeable and walkable.
In 2010 Sanibel was the first Southwest Florida community to be designated a “Bicycle Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists, a sign of the city's commitment to a comprehensive program of engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation (the five Es). 
The city's policy of promoting biking and walking to island events is a model for others. Just look at the new T-shirts, promoting "walkable bikeable Sanibel Island": The city clearly sees biking and walking as transportation modes and a way to reduce cars and congestion. 
So, the next time you’re out riding or walking on Sanibel or in Cape Coral, thank the efforts of many (public and private) people who made these routes a reality. Then, enjoy your walk or ride. 
BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County—streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at www.BikeWalkLee.org 
Upcoming events 
  •  Sunday, Jan. 5: River Roots and Ruts, half marathon and 5K fun run, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva (ftmyerstrackclub.com
  •  Saturday, Jan. 11: Mud Run, to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital. 3-mile adult run, 0.5- and 1-mile kid’s runs. Red Neck Yacht Club, Punta Gorda (southfloridamudrun.com
Cycling and other events:   
  • Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 18-19, Tour de Cape, Cape Harbour Resort, Cape Coral (tourdecape.net/)
  •  Saturday, Feb. 15: Ride for Hope, Bonita Springs. 10- 25- and 50-mile options (hopehcs.org/ride
  • Sunday, March 16: Royal Palm Classic, organized by the Caloosa Riders, details to come (caloosariders.org
  • Saturday, March 29: Walk, Wheel, and Wobble for Ataxia, FGCU . 10-, 30- and 62-mile rides, 5K run (knowataxia.webs.com/)
NOTE: The published column deleted details of the Sanibel award due to space constraints.  Click here for the Sanibel full report from our earlier blog post (which also includes photos); and click here for the full Cape Coral report (also with photos).

This story was also highlighted on Friday's News-Press Op Ed page, in their "Thumbs Up" section.