Partnership sponsoring bike racks in Downtown Cape Coral

Kudos to the Cape Coral Community Foundation for sponsoring bike racks in the newly renovated downtown section of Cape Coral--a successful partnership with the City of Cape Coral and with Cape Coral Bike Ped.

 

City of Cape Coral Press Release

Working Together to Create A Bicycle-Pedestrian Friendly Downtown--Cape Coral Community Foundation, Cape Coral Bike Ped & City of Cape Coral

 

The Cape Coral Community Foundation is sponsoring bike racks for the downtown area.  Working in partnership with Cape Coral Bike Ped,a fund was established to make Cape Coral more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.  These bike racks in the newly renovated downtown area on SE 47^th Terrace will encourage cyclist to visit the downtown area and enjoy its many amenities--restaurants, Farmers Market, retail shops as well as participating in the many events in the downtown area, such as the Critical Mass Ride.

The bike racks along with the new outdoor furniture will enhance the bicycle-pedestrian ambiance of downtown.As Michael Chatman noted, “The Cape Coral Community Foundation’s mission is to foster a healthy and dynamic community where individuals are inspired to support, strengthen and enrich quality of life through generosity and civic engagement.This project is a good example of enriching quality of life and civic engagement.”

Visit the City of Cape Coral bicycle website at www.CapeCoral.net/Bicycling for interactive maps and more information on cycling in this Bicycle Friendly Community.

  Special thanks go to Mike Swanson of Cape Coral Bike Ped and Mike Holm, Fort Myers Cyclery, for working together to raise these funds initially.

 

The check presentation will take place at the beginning of the Cape Coral City Council meeting on May 6^th at 4:30pm.Mayor Joe Coviello and City Manager John Szerlag will be accepting this donation from Beth Rivera, Grants Manager and Joe Cerino, Board Member, Cape Coral Community Foundation.Please come and lend your support and thanks to those who have made this generous gift to enhance the bicycle-pedestrian friendly atmosphere downtown then either ride or watch the colorful cyclist ride off on their Critical Mass Ride.

CONTACT:  Persides Zambrano, City of Cape Coral, 239-574-0733

April 29: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

• Sunday, May 5: Tropicool 5K. Enjoy a wonderful 5K race that showcases the beautiful streets of Olde Naples. This course is two loops starting on Broad Street. Proceeds of the Tropicool will go to the Gulf Coast Runners Youth Development Fund. Olde Naples (gcrunner.org)
• Saturday, May 11: Lovers Key 5K Run/Walk. This unique trail course takes runners through a shady maritime hammock ecosystem on a hard-packed shell path. No part of the course requires running through beach sand. The course ends at a pavilion overlooking the beach where refreshments will be served and awards will be presented. Fort Myers Beach (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, May 11: Lipman's 5K Run for Backpacks, Immokalee High School, Immokalee (active.com) 
• Saturday, May 18: Cape Cops 5K Run/Walk, Cape Coral (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Monday, May 27: SNIP Collier 5K, to support spay & neuter services in collier County (gcrunner.org)
• Wednesday, June 5: The Big Run national 5K, Bell Tower Shops, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, June 8: Cape Coral Elks 5K. Rotary Park, Cape Coral (active.com) 
• Saturday, June 22: Sugden Stride 5K, North Collier Regional Pak, Naples (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, July 4: Freedom 5K, Cape Coral Bridge (ftmyerstrackclub.com) 
• Thursday, July 4: Moe’s Firecracker 5K, Fleishmann Park, Naples (gcrunner.org) 
• Thursday, July 4: USA Independence Day 5K, Hertz Arena, Estero (eliteevents.org)
• For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:

• Friday, May 3: SW Florida Critical Mass ride. A family-friendly slow ride through Fort Myers gathering at 7:15 p.m. and starting at 8 p.m. Front and rear bike lights required. Grab your helmet, bring all your friends and meet in the open field next to Publix at First Street Village, 2160 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. (twitter.com/swflcm) or (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL) 
• Sunday, May 5: Tour de Femme Florida, ladies-only ride, multiple distances, presented by Gulf Coast Velo Cycling Club (caloosariders.org) 
• Saturday, May 11: Sanibel Critical Mass ride, gathers at 7:30 p.m. at Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel. Lights required, helmets recommended. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)  
• Sunday, May 12: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. ((meetup.com/Biking-SWFL) 
• Friday, May 17: NE-Lee Critical Mass ride, gathers at 7 p.m. at the Winn-Dixie, 14600 Palm Beach Blvd. Lights required, helmets recommended.(meetup.com/Biking-SWFL) 
• Sunday, May 19: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. All levels, all bikes, leaves from Fort Myers Trek store at 7:30 a.m. on a different route each week (mostly on bike paths). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, so helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group.(meetup.com/Biking-SWFL) 
• Saturday, May 25: Saturday Slow Roll 8 a.m. meet-up at 2160 McGregor Blvd. Recommended for inexperienced/young riders. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)  
• Friday, May 31: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gather at 7:30 p.m., start at 8 p.m. at the Southwest Florida Military Museum parking lot at 4820 Leonard Street for a family-friendly ride through the Cape. Lights required, helmets recommended.(meetup.com/Biking-SWFL) 
• Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14: Wheels & Wings, 15/32/50/62 mile rides from Beef O’Bradys, Punta Gorda (peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com)
• Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.
• For more Lee County cycling and tri events, visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).

Triathlons:

• 
  Sunday, May 5: Longboat Key Olympic Triathlon, Spring triathlon/duathlon (trifind.com)
• Saturday, May 11: Cape Coral Sprint Tri. The race features a 1/4 mile swim from the Yacht Club Beach, 11 mile bike ride and a 5k run through the beautiful, historic area of Southeast Cape Coral. (trifind.com)
• Saturday, May 18: Life’s a Beach Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 2: 33rd Annual Fitness Challenge Triathlon, Naples (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, June 2: Madeira Beach 3.5 Aquathon (swim/run/swim) (thunderboltmultisport.com)
• Sunday, June 9: Heartland Sprint and Olympic Tri, Sebring (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, June 9: Heartland Olympic/Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sebring (trisignup.com/Race/FL/Sebring/TheHeartlandTriathlon) 
• Saturday, June 22: Englewood YMCA Sprint Triathlon (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 23: Sirens Sprint Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, Aug. 4: Siesta Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon (trifind.com)
• Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.

BikeWalkLee: Sharpen your kids’ cycling skills

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, April 25, 2019
by Ken Gooderham

Want to make your kids more cycle savvy? There’s a summer camp just for you.

The Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club is offering “Wheel Lee Fun” this summer, a four-level class for kids ages 5-15, beginning June 10. The week-long classes cover the basics in riding, safety and maintenance, from how to balance on two wheels all the way to bike commuting and touring. Students will be assessed on their current cycling skills and assigned to one of four levels:

• Learn to Ride – the basics.
• Beginner – confident cyclists who can ride in their neighborhoods.
• Intermediate – able to handle longer distances and perform basic maintenance.
• Advanced – confident in groups or traffic and ready to handle emergency repairs.

Classes, which run from 8:30 a.m. to noon five days, will be taught by experienced cyclists and certified instructors, and will include all four skill levels (except for the first session June 10-14). There will be six sessions in all (at $150 per child), going through the end of July, and all classes will be held behind Fort Myers Cyclery, 1941 Hill Avenue, Fort Myers.

Each participant must bring an appropriately fitted, bike shop-certified working bicycle (FREE certification from participating bike shops listed on the website); a properly fitted helmet; plastic bottle of water; a bottle holder or backpack; a snack and sunblock. Packing a little extra spirit of adventure isn’t a bad idea, either.

You can find out more at the CRBC website (caloosariders.org) or via email to caloosariders@wheelleefun.org. (You can also register for sessions at the website, or even donate to help support this worthy effort.)

Showing kids the joys (and responsibilities) of cycling early on is a great way to turn them into skilled and independent cyclists, as well as giving them a lifelong skill that’s both fun and good for them.

What if you’re not a kid anymore, but still want to sharpen your skills on the bike? Well, the CRBC also offers skills classes for adults; check their events calendar for dates. Your local bike shop (you have one, right?) can also be a good source for education, either formal (some offer classes at certain times of the year) or informal (since most mechanics are happy to share some insights to interested customers).

Still time to comment on Sanibel paths

Since February, the City of Sanibel has been working on the update of its Shared Use Path Master Plan, and the period of public input ends on April 30. If you live, work, or play on Sanibel, please take advantage of this opportunity to help update the city’s Shared Use Path Master Plan. Go online to www.sanibelbikeped.com to include your comments.

Public input is important for developing a visionary plan (with a 10- to 20-year horizon) for one of the community’s crown jewels — its shared use path system.  Be sure to check out the Interactive Comment Map online at www.sanibelbikeped.com/interactive-comment-map/

SAVE THE DATE: This year’s Ride of Silence, a 7-mile silent ride to honor those killed or injured while cycling on public roadways, will be held on Wednesday, May 15, leaving promptly at 7 p.m. from the Southwest Florida Military Museum, 4820 Leonard Street, Cape Coral. Details at caloosariders.org.

 

Ready to ride or run? 

Run? Next Saturday is the Friends of Foster Children Sunshine 5K at the CCPS Admin Center in Naples (gcrunner.org), as well as the Head and Neck Cancer 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk at the CenturyLink Sports Complex, Fort Myers (3dracinginc.com). The following Saturday (May 5) brings the Tropicool 5K in Olde Naples (gcrunner.org).

Ride? A full slate of Critical Mass rides ahead, with the Cape ride Friday night, the downtown Fort Myers Slow Roll Saturday morning, and the original downtown Fort Myers ride the night of May 3. Lights are required for night rides and helmets are recommended; details at (meetup.com). For something longer, there’s Sharky’s Ride the Beaches on Sunday, April 28, with 15- 35- and 70-mile rides from Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice. On Sunday, May 5, there’s a ladies-only Tour de Femme Florida, with 18-, 33- and 66-mile rides starting from the State College of Florida-Bradenton (gulfcoastvelo.net/tour-de-femme).

Both? Upcoming events include:

• Saturday, May 11: Cape Coral Sprint Tri (trifind.com)
• Saturday, May 18: Life’s a Beach Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 2: 33rd Annual Fitness Challenge Triathlon, Naples (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 9: Heartland Sprint and Olympic Tri, Sebring (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 23: Sirens Sprint Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com) 
• Registration is open for this year’s Galloway Captiva Tri on Sept. 7-8, which offers a new format this go-round with the sprint race on Saturday morning and the kids’ events Sunday morning. Details at www.gearedup.biz/captiva-triathlon.
• Willing to drive? Check trifind.com or active.com for tris around the state.

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.

# # #

Ken Gooderham writes this on behalf of BikeWalkLee, 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. 


 

Everyone benefits when safety improvements are made for students

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, April 24, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

Infrastructure like this “solar tree” could illuminate and provide seating in remote areas, making it safer for bus riders. COURTESY PHOTO

Will the recent deaths of two student pedestrians who were hit by motor vehicles result in real change this time? Tragedies like these usually do little more than raise awareness and provoke outrage for a short time before public pressure and actual efforts to find solutions wane.

One would like to think when children are the victims of such tragedies — especially those who did nothing that added to their risk — we as a community would do everything necessary to ensure it doesn’t occur again. However, over the decades I’ve been involved in working to prevent such occurrences, that’s simply not been the case. Other than survivors and families of those who have been lost, collectively we seem to have short memories.

I don’t claim to have the solution to what is clearly a complicated problem. It’s going to take a number of efforts and reforms to do the job, some that may be unappealing to the powers that be, especially in terms of land use and transportation infrastructure decisions. Reform in those areas and other potential solutions would require a sea change for our community.

For example, Lee County is still segregated enough to require School Choice, a major factor that isn’t going away tomorrow, and rightfully so. Until the underlying cause for School Choice takes place some students are going to have to travel long distances to get to their schools, which requires extra time, thus being at bus stops early in the day. Absent that unlikely transformation, moving start times to later in the morning is one idea put forth by many and should be seriously considered, even with the significant complications and added costs it means to the school district’s transportation division. It would also impact our overall traffic situation at peak hours as many more buses would likely be on the road at the same time, an inconvenience that should be acceptable to save lives but that the general public and our leaders may not find palatable.

Another big-picture element that has created the need for kids to wait in the dark on empty lots and roads that weren’t meant to handle the kind of traffic they get is our suburban sprawl model of development. This growth pattern also means schools are being built in locations with little to no infrastructure for those students who would walk or bike there. We’ll never completely undo the damage done by this suburban sprawl model, but we can at least stop making it worse, although that also seems unlikely as our elected officials and community development departments continue to give their stamps of approval to developers who only see dollar signs with the status quo. As well, implementing Complete Streets can do wonders for pedestrians, folks on bikes and drivers alike, but we need to stop the bleeding as that’s put in place. And the school district needs to think critically about the problems they create by siting schools in the hinterlands.

As for what might be done in the immediate future, I’m pleased to see the variety of options being put forth as the school district, law enforcement, students, parents and the larger community come together with their ideas. As I wrote about in a previous column, training for teachers and others who can offer traffic safety instruction to students is readily available at no cost to those being trained, resources that are woefully underutilized. A critical and thorough assessment of bus stop locations and walking/ biking audits of the streets around schools are hopefully going to be undertaken so local governments will be aware of infrastructure needs. Benches and solar lighting can be implemented relatively quickly. Ensuring that kids can be seen by the use of lights and reflective clothing and backpacks should be something done yesterday, an aspect of the problem that requires individual and family responsibility. And while law enforcement can’t be everywhere, beefing-up patrols around bus stops and within school walking and biking distances should also already be the norm.

I’m sure many more practical ideas will be offered and considered as the community comes together, ideas that in the end will be helpful to all of us who use our public roads. To learn more, visit bikewalklee.blogspot.com and www.streetsaliveswfl.org. ¦


 
- 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 and 334-6417. 

For Lee County cycling and tri events visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL). The Florida Bicycle Association (floridabicycle.org) is your source for statewide happenings. BikeWalkLee’s blog site has all the information you’ll need to stay abreast of advocacy efforts in Southwest Florida as well as statewide and nationally.

April 22: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

• Saturday, April 27: Friends of Foster Children Sunshine 5K. Friends of Foster Children Forever is excited to announce its 3rd Annual 5K Race! This event is designed to bring awareness to our community about the foster care system. All proceeds from the race will benefit foster children in our community. CCPS Admin Center, Naples (friendsoffosterchildren.net/fundraising-events,  gcrunner.org)
• Sunday, May 5: Tropicool 5K, Olde Naples (gcrunner.org)
• Saturday, May 11: Lovers Key 5K Run/Walk, Fort Myers Beach (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, May 18: Cape Cops 5K Run/Walk, Cape Coral (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Monday, May 27: SNIP Collier 5K, to support spay & neuter services in collier County (gcrunner.org)
• Wednesday, June 5: The Big Run national 5K, Bell Tower Shops, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, June 22: Sugden Stride 5K, North Collier Regional Pak, Naples (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, July 4: Freedom 5K, Cape Coral Bridge (ftmyerstrackclub.com) 
• Thursday, July 4: Moe’s Firecracker 5K, Fleishmann Park, Naples (gcrunner.org) 
• Thursday, July 4: USA Independence Day 5K, Hertz Arena, Estero (eliteevents.org)
• For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:

• 
  Monday, April 22: Monday Minions Ride. This is a weekly ride that rolls in the 13-15 mph range. Total distance around 15 miles. After the ride most go over to Square 1 restaurant for the $5 burger and fries deal. If you are looking to get into cycling beyond the casual roll, this is an ideal ride for you. Expect 10 to 20 cyclists on this one. Fun and helpful always. A "no drop" ride. Lights and helmet required. 6:00 pm, Fort Myers Cyclery, 3630 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Tuesday, April 23: Taco Tuesday Ride.  After a 21 mile ride on Treeline/Old Airport/Daniels/6 Mile Cypress roads and paths, we'll finish at Tijuana Flats for Taco Tuesday. B riders: 16 to 18 mph for the basic group. A riders: The faster group rides at 20mph plus. We finish well after dark, so front and rear lights are required. After the ride all meet up at Tijuana Flats restaurant which is very near the Trek store. 6:30 pm, 8291 Dani Drive, Fort Myers (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Friday, April 26: Critical Mass Ride Cape Coral. Come out and join this fun and growing group of bikers! This is an 11 mile ride that rolls as one cohesive group at a very relaxed speed of 8-10 mph with a 10 minute break half way through at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Attendance 35-75. As with all night rides, bike lights (white on front and red on back) are required. 7:30 pm, SWFL Military Museum & Library, 4820 Leonard St, Cape Coral. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Saturday, April 27: Critical Mass monthly Saturday Morning Slow Roll & training. Are you new to group riding, or want enjoy riding through town and the neighborhoods surrounding the Edison home? Join us for a casual 8-10 mph roll on the last Saturday of every month. This is a perfect way to learn how to group ride, have a good time and to make new friends. 8:00 am, Side lot next to the downtown Publix, 2160 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
• Sunday, April 28: Sharky's Ride the Beaches, 15/35/70 mile rides from Sharky’s on the Pier, Venice (raceroster.com)
• Sunday, May 5: Tour de Femme Florida, ladies-only ride, multiple distances, presented by Gulf Coast Velo Cycling Club (caloosariders.org)
• Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14: Wheels & Wings, 15/32/50/62 mile rides from Beef O’Bradys, Punta Gorda (peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com)
• Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.
• For more Lee County cycling and tri events, visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).

Triathlons:

• 
  Saturday, April 27: St. Anthony’s Olympic & Sprint Triathlon, St. Petersburg (baycare.org/satriathlon)
• Sunday, May 5: Longboat Key Olympic Triathlon, Spring triathlon/duathlon (trifind.com)
• Saturday, May 11: Cape Coral Sprint Tri. The race features a 1/4 mile swim from the Yacht Club Beach, 11 mile bike ride and a 5k run through the beautiful, historic area of Southeast Cape Coral. (trifind.com)
• Saturday, May 18: Life’s a Beach Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 2: 33rd Annual Fitness Challenge Triathlon, Naples (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, June 2: Madeira Beach 3.5 Aquathon (swim/run/swim) (thunderboltmultisport.com)
• Sunday, June 9: Heartland Sprint and Olympic Tri, Sebring (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, June 9: Heartland Olympic/Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sebring (trisignup.com/Race/FL/Sebring/TheHeartlandTriathlon) 
• Saturday, June 22: Englewood YMCA Sprint Triathlon (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 23: Sirens Sprint Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, Aug. 4: Siesta Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon (trifind.com)
• Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.

April 15: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

• 
  Saturday, April 20: One Human Race 5K. Participate in the 10th annual student-organized 5K race, where 100% of the proceeds go towards the Kelvin Zhang Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship fund in memory of a student who passed away in 2008. The students are a part of the Golden Gate High School Diversity Committee, whose goal is to celebrate the cultures of the world and educate others about the other cultures. Golden Gate High School, Naples (active.com)
• Saturday, April 20: 21st annual Rotary of Fort Myers-Sunrise Eggs and Ears 5K, Lakes Regional Park, Fort Myers (3dracinginc.com)
• Saturday, April 27: Friends of Foster Children Sunshine 5K, CCPS Admin Center, Naples (gcrunner.org)
• Sunday, May 5: Tropicool 5K, Olde Naples (gcrunner.org)
• Saturday, May 11: Lovers Key 5K Run/Walk, Fort Myers Beach (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Saturday, May 18: Cape Cops 5K Run/Walk, Cape Coral (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Monday, May 27: SNIP Collier 5K, to support spay & neuter services in collier County (gcrunner.org)
• Wednesday, June 5: The Big Run national 5K, Bell Tower Shops, Fort Myers (runsignup.com)
• Saturday, June 22: Sugden Stride 5K, North Collier Regional Pak, Naples (eliteevents.org) 
• Thursday, July 4: Freedom 5K, Cape Coral Bridge (ftmyerstrackclub.com) 
• Thursday, July 4: Moe’s Firecracker 5K, Fleishmann Park, Naples (gcrunner.org) 
• Thursday, July 4: USA Independence Day 5K, Hertz Arena, Estero (eliteevents.org)
• For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:

• 
  Friday, April 19: NE-Lee Critical Mass ride, gathers at 7:30 p.m. at the Winn-Dixie, 14600 Palm Beach Blvd. Lights required, helmets recommended. (meetup.com)
• Sunday, April 28: Sharky's Ride the Beaches, 15/35/70 mile rides from Sharky’s on the Pier, Venice (raceroster.com)
• Sunday, May 5: Tour de Femme Florida, ladies-only ride, multiple distances, presented by Gulf Coast Velo Cycling Club (caloosariders.org)
• Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14: Wheels & Wings, 15/32/50/62 mile rides from Beef O’Bradys, Punta Gorda (peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com)
• Ongoing: Join the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club on one of their many weekly rides for members and potential members, with an array of paces and routes to choose from. Check them out online at www.caloosariders.org.
• For more Lee County cycling and tri events, visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club (caloosariders.org); Florida Mudcutters (mudcutters.org); and SW Florida Biking Meetup Group (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL).

Triathlons:

• 
  Saturday, April 27: St. Anthony’s Olympic & Sprint Triathlon, St. Petersburg (baycare.org/satriathlon)
• Sunday, May 5: Longboat Key Olympic Triathlon, Spring triathlon/duathlon (trifind.com)
• Saturday, May 11: Cape Coral Sprint Tri. The race features a 1/4 mile swim from the Yacht Club Beach, 11 mile bike ride and a 5k run through the beautiful, historic area of Southeast Cape Coral. (trifind.com)
• Saturday, May 18: Life’s a Beach Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 2: 33rd Annual Fitness Challenge Triathlon, Naples (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, June 2: Madeira Beach 3.5 Aquathon (swim/run/swim) (thunderboltmultisport.com)
• Sunday, June 9: Heartland Sprint and Olympic Tri, Sebring (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, June 9: Heartland Olympic/Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon, Sebring (trisignup.com/Race/FL/Sebring/TheHeartlandTriathlon) 
• Saturday, June 22: Englewood YMCA Sprint Triathlon (trifind.com)
• Sunday, June 23: Sirens Sprint Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, Aug. 4: Siesta Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon (trifind.com)
• Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.

BikeWalkLee urges County Commissioners to reject proposals to eliminate controls over mining on April 17th

On April 17th, the Lee County Commissioners will decide whether to adopt amendments to the County's Comprehensive Plan (Lee Plan) that will eliminate the current controls on lime rock mining in Lee County.  This proposal threatens our water supply, water quality, and quality of life.  On April 14th, BikeWalkLee sent a letter to Commissioners asking them to reject these proposed amendments because of the lasting harm that will be done to our quality of life (already seriously eroded) and the County's primary tool for enhancing livability--the Lee Plan, two of BWL's overarching goals. 

Lee County is at a critical crossroads and much is at stake in the Board's April 17th decision.  If you care about Lee County's future, attend Wednesday April 17th (9:30 a.m. in Commission Chambers) County Commission Hearing on the proposed Comp Plan amendments to deregulate lime rock mining.  Last week's Action Alert will provide you with background information.

April 14, 2019

 Dear Commissioners:

On April 17 you will be asked to decide whether to adopt Lee Plan amendments that eliminate the current controls on lime rock mining in Lee County, allowing expansion of mining--the most destructive (and non-reversible) land use. This is one of the most consequential decisions this Board will make about Lee County’s future; it will impact our water supply, water quality, and quality of life for current and future generations. BikeWalkLee urges you to listen to the many voices countywide in strong opposition to this proposal and reject these proposed amendments.

BikeWalkLee focuses on ways to improve and support our county’s quality of life through better safety, health, and mobility. One of the most important governmental tools for enhancing livability is integrated planning, which is embodied in the county’s Comprehensive Plan. Our comments below focus on both the quality of life and integrated planning consequences of this proposal.



County Commissioners who will make decision on April 17th

Quality of Life
The county’s current path of rampant and unfettered development is unsustainable and incompatible with the quality of life that has drawn so many to make Lee County their home. If approved, this Lee Plan amendment opens the flood gates to expand mining throughout Southeast Lee County, directly impacting the quality of life of thousands of residents in Estero and Bonita Springs every day the mines are in operation—from cracks in homes due to mining explosions, to the never ending parade of trucks on local roadways creating noise, health, safety, and traffic issues. 
Communities outside the Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource (DR/GR) Area which have mineable limerock could also be at risk of having mines being permitted in their backyards, with similar consequences for residents. In addition, the quality and quantity of our water resources are threatened countywide, and the water quality of vital estuaries is further impaired. The impacts from mining directly or indirectly affect all citizens in the county.
 
 Opening the county up to expanded mining may very well be the last straw for many residents whose quality of life has dramatically deteriorated over the past five years --whether it’s caused by congested roads and crowded schools, lack of safe walking and biking, lack of adequate services for the growing population, or stormwater and flooding problems caused by poorly planned growth. Then there are the toxic algae blooms and fish kills that are creating health hazards, destroying marine life and ruining our beaches and coastal waters -- the drivers of our tourism economy. This not only affects current residents and visitors, it affects the county’s ability to attract and retain workers and families, which are vital to the short-term and long-term economic viability of Lee County. Unfortunately, a community’s reputation for a good quality of life can change overnight-- and once that happens, it can take years of work to repair. We can’t wait until our quality of life is gone to protect it, because it will be too late.

 Improving and maintaining quality of life is an economic necessity, both to grow a diverse economy as well as to maintain a tourist-based one. The role of our elected leaders is to improve the livability of Lee County so we can attract the businesses and skilled workers needed to grow. Good economics and good quality of life feed each other. The decision you make on April 17 will not only affect the current residents, it will affect future generations.

 As the 16-year old Swedish climate activist told a United Nations gathering in December 2018: “You say you love your children above all else, and yet you’re stealing their future in front of their very eyes.”

Integrated Planning
One of BikeWalkLee’s top priorities over the past 10 years has been to promote integrated planning by local, regional, and state agencies and elected officials. Our vision is that innovative and integrated land use and transportation planning can enhance our county’s livability. At the same time, this vision encourages creative new development and development in ways that meet the infrastructure needs, need for green spaces, and to locate the growth where infrastructure already exists, while preserving and enhancing the quality of life. In support of this vision, we have been deeply involved in the many county and Metropolitan Planning Organization planning efforts related to land use and transportation.

 The Lee Plan is the county’s overarching planning policy document, serving as a “road map” for the public to know how the county will address a wide variety of issues including land use, transportation, housing, natural and cultural resources protection, economic development, etc. It is the policy foundation from which all other county policies, ordinances, codes, guidelines, and practices flow. It is designed to be a comprehensive, holistic and internally consistent plan that enables the county to implement its stated vision. The state even requires this plan to be updated every seven years to address new challenges and new opportunities the county faces and to fine-tune the framework to better implement the county’s vision – a crucial component of reasonable, consistent planning.

 But the county’s planning efforts are no longer reasonable or consistent. This Lee Plan amendment proposal is just the latest and most alarming yet of the many “small” amendments this Board has approved. Collectively, these amendments are unraveling the very policy foundation of county government. Almost every time a proposed development or zoning request conflicts with something in the Lee Plan, the Plan is amended to accommodate that specific project – the exact opposite of comprehensive planning. The cumulative effect is that the Lee Plan, which hasn’t had a major rewrite in almost 30 years, no longer tells the citizens of this county where we’re headed. It’s doubly tragic because in 2010-2013 the community collaborated with county government to produce a comprehensive revision of the Lee Plan. After years of effort, an award-winning Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) in 2011, and the completion of the Horizon 2035 Plan that represented a consensus of the various groups and committees, this Board never even looked at the Plan and never gave its committees or the public an opportunity to discuss the proposal with the Board. 

 
The proposed mining amendment is symptomatic of this trend to abandon good ideas and sound planning practices to accommodate the demands of a few rather than the needs of the many. There is a sound and reasonable policy in place today to allow the destructive (but necessary) practice of limerock mining to continue in the DR/GR Area in a way that balances the need for construction materials against the long-held purpose of the DR/GR designation – to encourage groundwater recharge and preserve long-term low-density land uses in the southeast portion of the county. Mining and subsequent restoration could continue as needed and new mines could be allowed once the need for more material was evident (and the damage from old mines was mitigated). That approach balances private rights with public needs and environmental protection.

To abandon this sound planning approach without justification, without assessing the potential damages and without meaningful public input makes a sham of the comprehensive land use planning process as it threatens water quality and aquifer recharge. It also jeopardizes the certainty for other areas of the county to know that their long-term planning protections will actually remain in place should they ever conflict with a developer’s desires to maximize their profits at the expense of the community’s quality of life.

Lee County is at a crossroads. The water quality crisis we experienced in 2018 is still out there, posing an imminent threat to the county’s present and future viability. The pressures of growth on our community continue to expand, while the funding needed to pay for that growth is constricted and inadequate. And the reputation of Lee County as good place to live, work and play continues to erode with every new crisis, every dramatic downturn and every environmental catastrophe. The very future of Lee County hangs in the balance—our ecology, our economy, our quality of life. County leaders should be doing everything in their power to better protect our water quality. Instead, this proposed amendment will make our water quality problem even worse, which is simply unconscionable.

As the Feb. 15th News-Press editorial opposing this proposed amendment stated: “The county needs to protect the environment, not expand mining. This should be a no-brainer for the county commission.”

We hope that you will oppose this unwise and unnecessary amendment to the Lee Plan.

 Darla Letourneau
On behalf of BikeWalkLee

Additional Links:
BikeWalkLee's April 14, 2019 Letter to BoCC

 April 10th Action Alert

News-Press Editorial:  There is plenty of lime rock: no need to expand


   

 

 

Drivers, do your part to keep students safe

This week's column focuses on the responsibility of drivers to make our streets and bus stops safer for students on their way to school. Be part of the community effort to take action to address these problems--attend the School District Town Hall Meeting on April 16th. 

 

BikeWalkLee's April 11, 2019 Column in News-Press "Go Coastal" Section

Drivers, do your part to keep students safe

The community response to the death of a little girl waiting for her bus has been as heartening as the tragedy itself was heart-breaking.

But amid all the actions and activism following the death of Layla Aiken, there has been one glaring omission in the overall discussion: The responsibility of motor vehicle drivers to operate their vehicles responsibly.

It’s good that people have come together to push for better bus-stop safety. It’s good that the school district and the Sheriff’s Office have partnered with others to raise money for LED lights that student can put on their backpacks to ward off the early-morning darkness and make themselves more visible.

It’s good to have the discussion about benches and sidewalks and lights. It’s good to debate whether having students standing in the dark waiting for a bus to school is a smart idea.

It’s even good to publish reminders on how students can stay safe while at bus stops. But it would be better to remind drivers to do their part to keep students safe as well.

That means being extra careful in the pre-dawn hours, particularly in the vicinity of bus stops. That means watching out for kids (and, well, anyone else) along the side of the road. Mostly, that means hanging up the phone, putting down the breakfast sandwich and getting rid of any other distraction – and make driving the only thing you do behind the wheel.

It’s tragic – and galvanizing – when a child is killed in a hit-and-run. That’s the stuff that can bring about real change.

But beyond this very sad event, we’re seeing a lot of carnage along the roadside of Lee County, with cyclists and pedestrians at increased risk. We’re seeing concern about better lighting, better evasive measures, better visibility on the part of the vulnerable road users.

So why aren’t we seeing drivers being asked to do their part to keep our roadsides safer? Why is the focus on what the potential victims can do to be more visible, and not on what the potential perpetrators should be doing to keep us all safer?

Still time to comment on Sanibel paths

Since February, the City of Sanibel has been working on the update of its Shared Use Path Master Plan, and the period of public input ends on April 30. If you live, work, or play on Sanibel, please take advantage of this opportunity to help update the city’s Shared Use Path Master Plan. Go online to www.sanibelbikeped.com to include your comments.

Public input is important for developing a visionary plan (with a 10- to 20-year horizon) for one of the community’s crown jewels—its shared use path system.  Be sure to check out the Interactive Comment Map online at www.sanibelbikeped.com/interactive-comment-map/

Rather make your comments in person? On Monday, April 22, there’s an open house between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., to share citizen input and recommendations to date, at the Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel.

Ready to ride or run?

Run? On Saturday, head to the North Collier Regional Park for the Wellfit Girls Hop to the Top 5K timed run and fun run, and 1 mile walk. The following Saturday (April 20) there’s the 21st annual Rotary of Fort Myers-Sunrise Eggs and Ears 5K at Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers, and the One Human Race 5K at Golden Gate High School, Naples. Details at gcrunner.org, active.com and 3dracinginc.com.

Ride? Upcoming Critical Mass rides include the Sanibel ride on Saturday night, the NE Lee ride April 19 and the downtown Cape Coral ride April 26.Lights are required and helmets are recommended; details at www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/.

Both? Upcoming events include:

·         Saturday, May 11: Cape Coral Sprint Tri (trifind.com)

·         Saturday, May 18: Life’s a Beach Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com)

·         Sunday, June 2: 33rd Annual Fitness Challenge Triathlon, Naples (trifind.cm)

·         Sunday, June 9: Heartland Sprint and Olympic Tri, Sebring (trifind.com)

·         Sunday, June 23: Sirens Sprint Tri, Sarasota (trifind.com)

·         Registration is open for this year’s Galloway Captiva Tri on Sept. 7-8, which offers a new format this year with the sprint race on Saturday morning and the kids’ events Sunday morning. Details at www.gearedup.biz/captiva-triathlon.

·         Willing to drive? Check trifind.com or active.com for tris around the state.

# # #

Ken Gooderham writes this on behalf of BikeWalkLee,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.

 

Dan Moser column: Road safety keys include education and enforcement

Florida Weekly April 10, 2019

Dan Moser's bi-weekly "Outdoors" column:

Road safety keys include education and enforcement

In order to be active outdoors in our beautiful environment we must feel safe whenever we inevitably mix it up with traffic, whether we’re on foot, bike, skates or other physical endeavor. However, both the reality and perception of danger are a major concern among many who do or would get out there.

 

Traffic crashes, injuries and deaths involving vulnerable road users continue to plague Southwest Florida and especially Lee County. As of the submission of this column Lee County has already had over 30 traffic fatalities in 2019, with at least 11 being non-motorists. Many more crashes have resulted in life-changing injuries. Obviously, venturing onto our roads in any mode is unacceptably risky here in Lee County. And it’s not like plenty of effort isn’t being undertaken to reduce our appalling traffic safety record.

 

What, then, are we missing? What aren’t we doing that needs to be done? Is the only answer for our law enforcers to become heavy-handed when dealing with traffic violations? Unfortunately, it’s looking like that may be the only solution, at least until we drastically change the way we design and build our transportation network. Regardless of whether our enforcement agencies step up, education and awareness efforts will continue. A few examples of what is being done in that realm are worthy of mention.

 

Recently, many of Cape Coral Police Department’s School Resource Officers completed a day-long training offered by Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program. This followed the Fort Myers Police Department and some of the same CCPD SROs completed a shorter bike-helmet-fit training session earlier this year. FTBSEP uses a train-the-trainer model to teach workshop participants such as teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel, parks and recreation staff and other community professionals how to convey pedestrian and bicycle safety through bicycle skills clinics/bike rodeos, community presentations and other activities. Another similar training called Safe Routes to School focuses on physical education teachers and includes a curriculum with grade-specific lessons that can be used during PE classes, with many not requiring bicycles. All trainings ensure accurate information is provided by FTBSEP regional trainers who are certified by the League of American Bicyclists or Cycling Savvy, two organizations that also offer for the general public.

 

Afterschool programs and summer camps are another place to get the messages across. This summer Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club will offer one for kids ages 5-15. According to Diane Holm, camp organizer and co-owner of Fort Myers Cyclery, this four-level program will teach participants everything from the basics of how to balance on two wheels for the newbies to advanced skills such as commuting/touring by bike and performing emergency bike repairs for older and more experienced kids. Registration and more information is on the CRBC website at www.caloosariders.org or you can call Diane Holm at 841-3407.

 

So, the good news is that there is ongoing effort taking place to educate those on bike and foot. But what’s conspicuously lacking is ensuring that those who get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle are adequately trained to operate it. For established drivers, continuing education such as AARP’s Smart Driver courses (www.aarpdriversafety.org) are underutilized. Courses that motorists must attend after a violation takes place are helpful but usually taken reluctantly so whether participants change their behavior or improve their driving is questionable. Unless new driver training and continuing education are required and until Complete Streets become the norm it seems to me that a significant and sustained law enforcement campaign may be the only way to improve our consistently horrific traffic crash, injury, and fatality numbers. If our law enforcement agencies do undertake this approach the risk is that they may focus too much on non-motorists rather than those who do the most damage, simply by virtue of speed and size. Targeting the potential victims won’t change driver behavior.

 

— To learn more visit www.bikewalklee. blogspot.com and www.streetsaliveswfl.org. 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 and 334- 6417.