Monday, December 29, 2014

BWL Column: Safety is a gift that isn't found under Christmas tree

These safety tips for walkers, cyclists, and drivers are important ones year-round. Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of safety!

News-Press "Go Coastal Section, December 25, 2014

On this, a day of gifts, may we suggest one more? This year, give your loved ones (and yourself) the gift of safety — of enjoying a ride walk and getting home alive and intact.

We're not suggesting anyone sets off intending to be harmed or hurt when they go for a walk or a ride. But there are behaviors that can put you at peril — sometimes your own, sometimes by others — which you can compensate for and which will make you considerably less likely to be hurt when you're just trying to be healthy.

Remember, being safe doesn't have to be complicated; in fact, keeping it simple and making some of these suggestions part of your regular routine can keep you safer without a second thought.

Bicyclists:
•Wear a helmet, wear a helmet, wear a helmet. There's simply nothing else you can do that will do more to protect you than this. Why? Bones heal, brains don't.
•Act like a vehicle. Meaning ride with traffic when on the road (and even when not), because that's what drivers are looking for. Obey the traffic rules, particularly when there are other vehicles around. Be consistent and predictable in traffic, so they know what to expect of you.
•See and be seen. Wear bright colors that help you stand out from the scenery. Put lights front and back if you're out early or late — or just to be a little more obvious to others. Signal your intentions when possible. And ride defensively … when you're the smallest thing on the road, watch out for what those bigger, heavier and faster than you are doing.
·•Use your advantages — but don't make them disadvantages. On a bike, you can turn quicker and stop faster than a motor vehicle, which allows you to avoid problems by being nimble and quick. But remember those vehicles around you may not be so agile, so gauge your moves according so you don't get caught by someone else's mistake.

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Walkers & runners:
•Pay attention. Distracted walking is a serious problem, and when you're too engrossed in a phone call or unable to hear what's going on around you because your earphones block all noise, you could walk or run right in to a bad situation.
•Anticipate problems. While bikers and other vehicles should give you the right-of-way, don't count on it — but do walk or run as if you are the most vulnerable thing on the road… because you are. And if you're having to use the road because there's no sidewalk, do so facing traffic so you can see what's coming at you and be able to react before things go from bad to worse. This suggestion — which is also the law in Florida — does not apply to cyclists, who should always bike with the flow of traffic.
•Share the road or path – or get out of the way if necessary. If you have to walk on a bike lane, there's room for both you and the bikes – but you may not be able to walk side by side all the time. On a multi-use path? Be cognizant (and accommodating) of all the other traffic and you'll all have a good time. And if you're walking your dog, keep them on a short leash around other walkers, runners and bicyclists – so your dog understands to stay near and the other path users understand you have things under control.
•Be visible. As with bicyclists, bright colors and lights when it's early or late make other road users more aware of your presence — always a good thing.

Drivers:
•Make driving the most important thing you do. Get off the phone, don't send a text, stop doing your make-up and save breakfast for the table . When you're driving your vehicle, make that the only activity you're engaged in.
•Obey the rules — and make sure you know them, too. There are plenty of laws about how you have to interact with cyclists and pedestrians — and they exist for a reason. Know them and follow them.
•Be the better person. Don't drive like you have to get there first, drive so everyone can get there safely. Yield, even if you don't have to. Stop, if someone else doesn't. Slow down, when conditions are uncertain or crowded. Move over, and give other users their space. And, most of all, leave the rage and revenge back in the garage.
•Remember you're the biggest thing on the road. Your 2 tons (or more) of steel can do much more damage to other users such as walkers or cyclists. Your mass makes it tougher to stop. Your bulk makes it harder to turn. And your speed simply multiplies all these assets (or, more correctly, liabilities). So don't drive like you own the road (you don't) – drive like you share the road (you do).
The gift of safety isn't found under a tree, wrapped in pretty paper or tied up in a nice bow. But for you and your loved ones — and all the other road or path users anywhere you roam — it can be the most important gift of all.

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
Running/walking:
•Jan. 10: Seahawk Sprint for Music 5K (3dracinginc.com), Jim Jeffers Park in Cape Coral. Registration 7 a.m., race 8 a.m.
•Jan. 11: 12th annual River, Roots & Ruts Trail Run, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva. Half marathon and relay 8 a.m., 5K fun run 8:15 a.m. (www.rrrtrail.com)
•Jan. 17: Tour De Cape 5K Run/walk, is designed for advanced and novice runners. Check in begins at 6:30 a.m. Race time is 8 a.m. Starts at Cape Harbour in Cape Coral. (tourdecape.net)
•Jan. 24: Cypress Sprint for Music 5K, Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers. Registration 7:30 a.m., race 8:30 a.m. (3dracinginc.com).
•Jan. 31: Calusa BUG Chase, to help Lee County students Bring Up Grades. 5K run through the grounds of the Calusa Nature Center, 3450 Ortiz Ave. Fort Myers. Registration 6:30 a.m., race 7:30 a.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)
•Feb. 8: Publix Run to the Arts 5K, at ArtFest Fort Myers. Run or walk, race or fun. Registration 7 a.m., race starts 8:15 a.m. at Edwards Drive in front of Harborside (RunToTheArts.com)
•Feb. 21: Swamp Stomp 5K, Grandeur Oaks Town Center located on State Road 80 just north of Cowboy Way. Benefits the Caloosa Humane Society. Registration 6:30 a.m., race 7:30 a.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)
•Feb. 21: Edison Festival of Light 5K, downtown Fort Myers. Race at 5:45 p.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)
•March 1: Hooters Half Marathon. 7 a.m. start, course starts/ends at Hooters (Edison Mall), winds through McGregor neighborhoods to downtown then south on U.S. 41. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

Cycling & other events:
•Jan. 18: Tour De Cape. Routes from 15, 30, 60, and 100 mile courses in the west and north sections of Cape Coral. The event provides a continental breakfast, lunch, on route rest stations with snacks and beverages, SAG vehicles, Police support, and route maps. All rides start from Cape Harbour in Cape Coral. (http://tourdecape.net)
•March 22: 17th annual Royal Palm Classic. Starts/ends at Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr, Suite 27-28, Fort Myers. Race starts at 8 a.m., 62-, 30- and 15-mile distances. Registration opens in January. (www.royalpalmclassic.org or www.caloosariders.org)
•March 28: Pedal and Play Punta Gorda. Details to come.
Triathlons:
•Jan. 10-11: HITS Triathlon Series, Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Open, sprint Olympic half and full. (www.HitsTriathlonSeries.com)

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RIDE:
Have a favorite route you like to bike, or a unique walk you'd like to share with others? Tell us about it at info@bikewalklee.org, and maybe we can feature it in an upcoming column.

Bonita Springs Council's vision makes it a cut above

BikeWalkLee is thrilled to see the Bonita Springs City Council's efforts in support of complete streets and a livable community vision being recognized by News-Press in its annual awards competition. The article mentions BikeWalkLee's recent award to the Bonita Springs City Council and staff as the 2014 Complete Streets Champion of the Year. Kudos to "Team Bonita"!

Bonita City Council, Public Official of the Year finalists

Council's vision makes it a cut above

News-Press, By Christina Cepero, December 29, 2014

The Bonita Springs City Council — seven elected officials who make decisions for the people of Bonita Springs as one body — is one of three finalists for The News-Press Public Official of the Year.
"That's really a tribute to all of you," Mayor Ben Nelson told his fellow council members at a recent meeting. "We have to act as one entity, as one person, in order to get anything done."

His other one-sevenths are Steve McIntosh of District 1 to the north, Janet Martin of District 2 in central Bonita east of Old 41 Road, Steven Slachta of District 3 in the beach area and southwest, Peter Simmons of District 4 between Spring Creek and the Imperial River, Mike Gibson of District 5 in central Bonita west of Old 41 and Bill Lonkart of District 6 in southeast Bonita.

Together, they represent the 15-year-old city of 47,000 at the southern end of Lee County with the brand of small-town charm with a big, bright future.

The winner will be named Feb. 19 at a special ceremony.

The City Council was selected because of its vision, including approval of a $16 million downtown revitalization project, completion of Shangri-La Road linking Old 41 to Imperial Parkway, addition of a dog park and getting $250,000 from the Legislature for Oak Creek improvements.

City leaders are working toward a walkable downtown with wide sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic-calming roundabouts that will attract more people and businesses, encouraging Old Florida-style architecture with high ceilings and expansive porches.

Lee County's transportation planning board killed a federally funded $1.1 million state intersection study of U.S. 41 and Bonita Beach Road in August after the City Council asked it to because of risk it could lead to a flyover.

The City Council removed $11.4 million from its long-range budget that had been reserved for widening Bonita Beach Road from four to six lanes between Old 41 Road and U.S. 41.

It budgeted $100,000 in 2014-15 to select a firm to develop a vision for Bonita Beach Road and its major intersections as a complete street for pedestrians, bicyclists, mass transit riders and drivers.

The group also has prioritized beautification of major roads, setting aside $3 million for landscaping that will start to be planted in the coming year.

"It's an honor to be nominated," said Gibson, the newest member of the City Council after being elected last January. "I think we're on the right path with doing the complete streets."

The City Council this month received the BikeWalkLee coalition's Complete Streets Champion of the Year award.

Council members have asked city staff to work on setting up a mobility impact fee system for developers to pay for growth that can be used not just for widening roads but for a variety of transportation improvements.

Not all votes were unanimous in 2014, but council members respected the majority vote as the will of the City Council.

"I enjoy these council meetings immensely," said Nelson, the longest-serving council member, first elected in 2000. "It's so interesting to try to get everything pasted together."

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Dec. 29th: Upcoming walking/running/biking/tri events

There are several new running and cycling events listed this week. It's time to think about your upcoming New Year's Resolution to get into an exercise routine. What better way to get motivated than to do a run, walk, or ride with a crowd?

Running/walking:

Saturday, Jan. 10: Seahawk Sprint for Music 5K (3dracinginc.com), Jim Jeffers Park in Cape Coral. Registration 7 a.m., race 8 a.m.

Last Year's Tour de Cape

· Sunday, Jan. 11: 12^th annual River, Roots & Ruts Trail Run, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva. Half marathon and relay 8 a.m., 5K fun run 8:15 a.m. (www.rrrtrail.com)

· Saturday, Jan. 17: Tour De Cape 5K Run/walk, is designed for advanced and novice runners. Check in begins at 6:30 a.m. Race time is 8 a.m. Starts at Cape Harbour in Cape Coral. (tourdecape.net)

· Saturday, Jan. 24: Cypress Sprint for Music 5K, Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers. Registration 7:30 a.m., race 8:30 a.m. (3dracinginc.com).

· Saturday, Jan. 31: Calusa BUG Chase, to help Lee County students Bring Up Grades. 5K run through the grounds of the Calusa Nature Center, 3450 Ortiz Ave. Fort Myers. Registration 6:30 a.m., race 7:30 a.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

Sun. Feb. 8: Publix Run to the Arts 5K. At the one and only ArtFest Fort Myers. Run or walk, race or fun. Starts 8:15AM • Edwards Drive in front of Harborside Event Center • $25 – includes artsy T-shirt, breakfast, door prizes and more • RunToTheArts.com

· Saturday, Feb. 21: Swamp Stomp 5K, Grandeur Oaks Town Center located on State Road 80 just north of Cowboy Way. Benefits the Caloosa Humane Society. Registration 6:30 a.m., race 7:30 a.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

· Saturday, Feb. 21: Edison Festival of Light 5K, downtown Fort Myers. Race at 5:45 p.m. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

· Sunday, March 1: Hooters Half Marathon. 7 a.m. start, course starts/ends at Hooters (Edison Mall), winds through McGregor neighborhoods to downtown then south on U.S. 41. (www.fortmyerstrackclub.com)

Team "Caloosa Riders"

Cycling and other events:

· Sunday, Jan. 18: Tour De Cape. Routes from 15, 30, 60, and 100 mile courses in the west and north sections of Cape Coral. The event provides a continental breakfast, lunch, on route rest stations with snacks and beverages, SAG vehicles, Police support, and route maps. All rides start from Cape Harbour in Cape Coral. (http://tourdecape.net)

Sunday, Jan. 25: The 9th ANNUAL NAPLES BIKE/WALK/RUN BRUNCH IS A COME TOGETHER event for cyclists, walkers, and runners who want to show their support for safety on the roads for ALL. Activities begin and end in beautiful, beachside Lowdermilk Park in Naples, FL. Rides: 62, 31, 20, 10 miles. Bunch compliments of Moe's. Proceeds help support the advocacy work of NAPLES PATHWAYS COALITION on behalf of cyclists, walkers, and runners. Register at www.naplespathways.org or call 239-777-7718 for more information.

Wed. Feb. 11: STAYIN' ALIVE, a benefit for the cycling safety program of Naples Pathways Coalition, 5:00-7:00 pm, Hamilton Harbor Beach Club, Naples, FL. Cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres and luxe raffle of wonderful prizes. $100 donation per person includes a cocktail or beverage and a raffle ticket. Party limited to 100 guests. RSVP atwww.naplespathways.org/events or contact Beth Brainard at 239-777-7718.

· Sunday, March 22: 17^th annual Royal Palm Classic. Starts/ends at Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr, Suite 27-28, Fort Myers. Race starts at 8 a.m., 62-, 30- and 15-mile distances. Registration opens in January. (www.royalpalmclassic.org or www.caloosariders.org)

· Saturday, March 28: Pedal and Play Punta Gorda. Details to come.

Triathlons:

· Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 10-11: HITS Triathlon Series, Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Open, sprint Olympic half and full. (www.HitsTriathlonSeries.com)

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Moser Column: My roadway wish list for 2015

Dan shares his "wish list" for 2015...what he believes needs to be done to make our roads safer and our communities more livable.

Florida Weekly "Outdoors" section: Dec. 23, 2014

Dan Moser

It may indeed be wishful thinking on my part but the list below is what I feel needs to be done to make our roads safer and communities more livable. By calling out the various entities I’m taking a risk since all are partners in working toward achieving transportation-related goals. Unfortunately, there’s sometimes a disconnect between advocates and staff on the front lines pushing for changes and the leadership of government agencies. Alternately, the situation is different when it comes to the general public where efforts to reach motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in ways that change the behaviors that are making life miserable for other road users is a never-ending battle.

The Florida Legislature will enact tougher distracted driving laws to help move our state from having the most dangerous roads for cyclists and pedestrians as well as among the worse for drivers. The laughable anti-texting law put into place last year has had, as expected, no effect on driver behavior or crash rates. As well, the penalties for killing or maiming other road users is as weak as they get anywhere in the country. Public safety officials and injury prevention professionals all agree that much more needs to be done in Tallahassee for there to be any chance of improvement, something only our elected representatives can — and must — do.

Lee County’s elected officials and senior staff will get back on track with their previous efforts toward sustainability,

CP (Complete Streets, and a Comprehensive Plan that reflects the wishes of its residents (and not just the development community). And now that it’s clear that expenditures on bike/ped projects have been only a fraction of what was approved to address a $58 million backlog of need, my wish is that LeeDOT will actually spend allocated funds on vital bike/ped improvements.

The city of Sanibel will replace the many inappropriate, confusing, unenforceable, and dangerous “Stop Bike” pavement markings they’ve placed on their pathway system and instead use “Caution” markings. Because this is such a serious gaffe, leaving them in place taints the city’s status as a Bike Friendly Community as designated by League of American Bicyclists. And should a crash occur at any of these locations, the city and its taxpayers face potential liability.

The city of Fort Myers will do what’s necessary to reach its potential of becoming a truly walkable, bikable multi-modal city rather than just continue to brag about the modest pedestrian improvements it has made over the years, with downtown being the only real pedestrian-friendly area (and it’s certainly not bike-friendly).
The entire length of Lee County’s signature roadway, McGregor Boulevard, will become bike-friendly through design improvements, beginning with the city of Fort Myers’ segment (see above).

Police, deputies, troopers, community service aides and code enforcement officials will routinely enforce illegal sidewalk parking laws, something that doesn’t get much easier to do, considering all it takes is a drive-by to determine a violation. Illegally parked vehicles and other large items left in the roadway isn’t tolerated so why isn’t that the case on our sidepaths? Folks with disabilities or mobility limitations, parents pushing strollers, and anyone who must step into traffic or risk a fall to get around such obstacles would appreciate the fulfillment of this wish. Plus, overlooking it is an indication that government is doing a poor job of managing its streets, something that has other societal implications, including a relationship to crime.
Drivers will operate their vehicles in the way any machine capable of killing whenever it’s being operated should be. That means making driving the one and only activity being undertaken when behind the wheel. “Stay Alive.....Just Drive!”

Cyclists will operate in a predictable, legal and safe manner, understanding their status as vehicle operators when on-road and second-class, quasi-pedestrians on sidepaths.

Pedestrians will exercise their rights to the public space while adhering to safe practices. That includes losing the headphones and refraining from Smartphone use.

Our two public institutions of higher education, FGCU and FSW, will finally provide safe access to their respective campuses for their non-motoring customers and visitors. Since its inception FGCU has failed to add bike lanes to either of its entrances/exits, even though Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and the internal campus road has them. And FSW has a sidewalk on only one side of one of three access roads into its Fort Myers campus. Considering both are well established schools with on-campus housing, adequate accommodation is long overdue.

Upcoming events

Running/Walking:

River, Roots, & Ruts Half-Marathon & 5K, Sunday, Jan. 11 Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva (rrrtrail.com).

Tour de Cape 5K, Saturday, Jan. 17, Cape Harbor, Cape Coral (tourdecape.net)

Run to the Arts 5K, Sunday, Feb. 8, Fort Myers River District (runtothearts.com).

For more Lee County running events,visit Fort Myers Track Club (ftmyerstrackclub.com), Endurance Sports Timing (endurancesportstiming.com), and 3-D Racing (3dracinginc.com).

Cycling:

Tour de Cape, Sunday, Jan. 18, Cape Harbor, Cape Coral (tourdecape.net)

Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club caloosariders.org, Florida Mudcutters mudcutters.org. The Florida Bicycle Association floridabicycle.org is your source for statewide happenings.

—Dan Moser is a long- time bicycle/ pedestrian advocate and traffic safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com or 334- 6417.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Lee Department Health receives national grant for Health Impact Assessment in Tice

We are pleased that the Lee County Health Department is working on the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in partnership with the Tice community and other stakeholders, such as BikeWalkLee. This project is on the cutting edge of HIA studies that are rapidly emerging throughout the U.S. as a valuable component of the decision making process. Among other major private foundations, the use of HIAs is recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports two key directions by the U.S. Surgeon General, and is part of the Centers for Disease Control’s Healthy Community Design Initiative. With all of the major funders and national agencies behind the use of the HIA process, this project’s findings will certainly attract national attention.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2014
HEALTH OFFICIALS RECEIVE NATIONAL GRANT
LEE COUNTY— The Florida Department of Health in Lee County was one of three national
recipients of a Health Impact Assessment grant offered by the National Association of
Community & City Health Officials. The award will be used in the Tice community of Fort Myers
to conduct an intermediate Health Impact Assessment to supplement data collected earlier this
year in a preliminary study.

“We will provide the data about the health effects of proposed road connections or lack of
connections, and redevelopment plans to decision makers,” said Geordie Smith, environmental manager with DOH-Lee and the project manager. “The planners can use this information to link the health needs into the neighborhood design.”

The preliminary assessment asked residents about their concerns related to health and safety.
Those results showed traffic safety was a primary concern, along with air quality and social
engagement.

Questions asked in the intermediate assessment include the health impact of proposals to
narrow main roadways, lower speed limits and install traffic calming devices such as pedestrian
cross walks, sidewalks and bike paths. The surveys delve into the impact of those proposals on
health issues such as safety, physical activity, health care access, emergency response, mental
health and crime reduction.

DOH-Lee is partnering with the Tice Health Impact Assessment Team. The team includes
members from Florida Gulf Coast University and NACCHO. The work is a part of the Protocol
for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health, which was developed by
NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The assessment is expected to be completed by mid-June. For more information go to
www.leechd.com.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people
in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.

Contact: Diane Holm, PIO
(239) 332-9561
(850) 519-5728

FDOT looks to transform Florida roadways

Thanks to SW Spotlight Magazine for shining a spotlight on FDOT's bike/ped safety efforts led by Billy Hattaway. Article includes quotes from BikeWalkLee.

SW Spotlight Magazine: 12/15/14

By Dayna Harpster

dh@swspotlight.com

Bicyclists cross US 41 on a recent Saturday morning. Staff | staff@swspotlight.com Michael Donlan is glad he was wearing a helmet. As usual, he started one Sunday in November on a bike ride along with his wife, Francesca, and two other couples from their neighborhood. Things took a nosedive when they turned onto Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. That’s when a Nissan Sentra ran a red light, hit a car, hit Michael and then hit his friend Brian Dunham. Michael was unhurt, but Brian was thrown over the hood of the Nissan, smashing the windshield with the impact. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and was treated and released.

But the whole group was affected. “Our wives and one other couple had front row seats to the spectacle,” Donlan said. “We were doing it right. We all had helmets, head- and tail-lights and were wearing bright cycling clothes. We were following the rules of traffic. You just never know.” They certainly would agree with the movement that is on to investigate crashes more closely and cover the state with “complete streets” that are safe and convenient for everyone, including pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

Billy Hattaway, FDOT District 1 Secretary ContributedComplete Streets

The local complete streets movement has a champion in a rather unexpected place: the Florida Department of Transportation. “They’re road builders,” said cycling advocate Dan Moser, a co-founder of the BikeWalkLee coalition. “Their model has always been to build ‘em to ‘em and through ‘em.”

But FDOT District 1 Secretary Billy Hattaway rides in a different gear. “He’s a planner as well as an engineer,” Moser said. “That’s what’s so refreshing about this.” Hattaway is also a cyclist who logs more than 3,500 miles a year.

Speed and Pedestrian Fatalities Source: Florida Department of TransportationHe is rather a road warrior for the complete streets cause statewide, and making the rounds giving presentations throughout the 12,000-square-mile district, which includes Collier and Lee counties and ten others. They are ideas he has shared with 800 engineers and planners in District 1.

Hattaway’s plan is about much more than bicycles- it’s a re-envisioning of parts of Florida’s sprawl-led transportation infrastructure, with a goal of increasing quality of life and “sense of place” by creating streets that are safe for all.

“At the local level, land development patterns play a big role,” Hattaway said in an interview with theSpotlight. “Planners across the country understand that our 50 years of sprawl development have contributed significantly to our problem.”

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

The statistics have begun to shout. A report by Transportation for America in 2011, titled “Dangerous By Design,” listed several Florida communities, including metropolitan Lee County, among the most hazardous in the nation for pedestrians.

“We have been part of the problem with our focus on just moving cars,” Hattaway recently told the Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization. He laid out a menu of antidotes, including reducing design speeds on local roads that have been built like superhighways. “Road diets” — engineer speak for removing car travel lanes to decrease speeding, where appropriate, were also discussed.

Another focus is the installation of multi-use pedestrian/bike paths, and the narrowing of car travel lanes to make room for safer bicycle lanes.

Aspects of the plan assume that a culture change is under way that allows for sharing the roadways, and indeed that is necessary, Hattaway said. It’s not a message that always has gone over well in what has generally been a car-centric society.

Florida can have more harmony on its highways and byways with several actions, Hattaway believes. Much can be done with little or no additional cost, he said. For example, while resurfacing a road is a major expense, those needs are already in the transportation budget and can be simply done differently.

Hattaway has been working on complete streets measures with a statewide initiative called “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow,” which he began to lead in spring 2012.

In fact, this is Hattaway’s second stint with FDOT. He’s been down this road before. From 1987 to 2002, he served as director of the office of design and a state roadway engineer, and advocated for complete streets then. He left FDOT to work in the private sector until 2012, when under a new administration he was hired back, and people seemed to be listening.

Public Official Of The Year

Hattaway is one of nine people selected “Public Officials of the Year” by Governing magazine and featured in its December issue. Hundreds of candidates are nominated by readers and hail from across the country and winners are chosen for their leadership and innovation.

Hattaway literally wrote the book on complete streets for Florida. He was author of the Traditional Neighborhood Development chapter of the Florida Greenbook, a design manual for local governments. The neighborhood plan represents a shift away from the Conventional Suburban Development model mainly because, in DOT lingo, “the street geometry, adjacent land use, and other elements must support a higher level of transit, pedestrian, and bicycle activity than seen in a CSD.”

Those are magic words as well to Darla Letourneau, co-founder of BikeWalkLee, a local organization that advocates for change. She believes in the message as well as the man. “Billy is one of those rare public officials who has a vision, knows how to lead change in a large organization, inspires and motivates others, and ‘walks the talk,’” she said. “He’s a passionate champion of complete streets, a balanced multi-modal transportation system, and livable communities.”

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Dec. 22nd: Upcoming running/biking/tri events

It's time to think about your upcoming New Year's Resolution to get into an exercise routine. What better way to get motivated than to do a run, walk, or ride with a crowd?

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

Saturday, Jan. 10: Seahawk Sprint for Music 5K (3dracinginc.com), Jim Jeffers Park in Cape Coral. Registration 7 a.m., race 8 a.m.