Sunday, May 26, 2019

May 27: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

Cycling:
  • Monday, May 27: 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. 6 p.m., Fort Myers Cyclery, 3630 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
  • Tuesday, May 28: Taco Tuesday Ride. Every Tuesday night, We Ride For Tacos! 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. 6:30 p.m., Trek Bicycle Store of Fort Myers, 8291 Dani Drive, Fort Myers (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)
  • Sunday, June 2: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. This is a weekly ride for riders of most skill levels and most types of bicycles (hybrids, fitness, and road). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, thus helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. 7.30 a.m., location varies, visit (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL) for details.
  • Friday, June 7: 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. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
  • Saturday, June 8: 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)   
  • June 10-14: Wheel Lee Fun Session 1 summer camp begins for ages 8-15, 1941 Hill Ave., Fort Myers (caloosariders.org)
  • June 17-21: Wheel Lee Fun Session 2 summer camp for ages 8-15, 1941 Hill Ave., Fort Myers (caloosariders.org)
  • Friday, June 21: 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) 
  • June 24-28: Wheel Lee Fun Session 3 summer camp for ages 8-15, 1941 Hill Ave., Fort Myers (caloosariders.org)
  • Friday, June 28: 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) 
  • July 8-12: Wheel Lee Fun Session 4 summer camp for ages 8-15, 1941 Hill Ave., Fort Myers (caloosariders.org)
  • Saturday-Sunday, July 13-14: Wheels & Wings, 15/32/50/62 mile rides from Beef O’Bradys, Punta Gorda (peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com) 
  • July 15-19: Wheel Lee Fun Session 5 summer camp for ages 8-15, 1941 Hill Ave., Fort Myers (caloosariders.org)
  • July 22-26: Wheel Lee Fun Session 6 (final session) summer camp for ages 8-15, 1941 Hill Ave., Fort Myers (caloosariders.org)
  • 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:









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Thursday, May 23, 2019

Bonita Springs makes safe paths for biking, walking a priority


Thanks to Bonita Springs Deputy Mayor, Peter O'Flinn, for writing this article for the
 Naples Daily News that updates the citizens on what the City is doing to make Bonita
Springs a safer place for walking and biking.
   
Naples Daily News, May 22, 2019
 
Bonita Springs makes safe paths for biking, walking a priority

By Peter R. O’Flinn, deputy mayor of Bonita Springs

Safe pathways for bicyclists and pedestrians support quality of life and healthy living. They are proven attractors of good economic development.
However, there is another, more important reason, why safe pathways have become a priority in Bonita Springs. Unfortunately, Florida has consistently topped the most dangerous list in the national Dangerous by Design report, and the Lee County area has ranked among the most dangerous in Florida.
Peter O'Flinn, Deputy Mayor, Bonita Springs
That’s a designation Bonita Springs must have zero tolerance for. Terry Street between U.S. 41 and Old 41 Road has been selected as the city’s first priority on its bike/pedestrian master plan.
The goal of the West Terry Street Project is to have something special — a transformative project to serve as a template for future improvements in town. It will include a wide, shaded pathway for recreational bikers and pedestrians, replacing the narrow sidewalk on Terry Street’s north side, near the Bonita Springs Middle School. An expanded roadway will allow better separation of road bikers and automobiles, enhancing safety for all. 

Rendering of bike and walking path alongside Terry Street in Bonita Springs,
subject to final design.

Members of the Pelican Landing and Bonita Bay bike clubs, and the city’s Bicycle/Pedestrian advisory group, have shared safety ideas with design professionals from Alta Planning, the national firm engaged by Bonita Springs. Groups like the Blue Zones Project, BikeWalkLee and BonitaEstero Safetravelways have provided important insight.

The West Terry Street design plans are 90% complete, and the project has received the required clearances from the South Florida Water Management District. Construction is anticipated to start in late summer, with completion anticipated in the mid-winter of 2019/2020.
Terry Street in Bonita Springs as it looks today
Other priority projects include the creation of a new east-west route, north of the Terry Street roundabout, so that students living in Rosemary Park can better access the middle school; and building a pathway along Terry Street east of Imperial Parkway and over I-75 toward the YMCA, Bonita Nature Place and Cullum’s Bonita Trail.
We are also working with our friends in Estero, and the railroad owners, on the possibility of a pathway along the railroad right-of-way from Bonita Beach Road to Estero Parkway.
The funding for future flood control projects is, of course, Bonita’s top priority, but we are assiduously working to fund pathway projects. For example, we have applied for a federal BUILD grant for the extension of the Terry Street project eastward. Our city staff, with the help of volunteer residents, has garnered more than one-half million dollars in grants for the West Terry Street Project.
 
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BikeWalkLee: The next step against distracted driving


BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, May 23, 2019
by Ken Gooderham

‘You can’t always get what you want, but you just might find you get what you need.’

With apologies to the Rolling Stones, that’s the feeling among many bike/ped safety advocates in the wake of the 2019 Florida Legislature. They’re happy that a bill to make texting (and more) while driving a primary offense (explanation to follow), but disappointed it did not go as far as originally proposed.

Some background: Florida Statutes currently ban texting while driving as a secondary offense – meaning a police officer cannot pull you over if he observes you texting, but can cite you for a violation if you are stopped for other violations AND discovered to be texting while driving on top of that.

It was one of a dwindling handful of states who did not make this a primary offense, with some jurisdictions going after not only drivers using a handheld device while under way and all forms of distracted driving – such as eating, grooming, reading and more. The logic here being it wasn’t the instrument of distraction that was the problem – it was the distraction itself, whatever the bright shiny object causing it.

For a while during the legislative sessions just past, it seemed as though Florida might join those ranks and tackle distractions overall rather than just texting. Alas, as is often the case with sausage-making in Tallahassee, some good ingredients were left out of the final product and the bill that finally won approval just elevated texting to a primary offense. Gov. DeSantis signed the bill May 17, and it will take effect in October (with some phase-in time expected).

Besides the switch to make texting a primary offense, the bill also targets use of any handheld wireless device (phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) in a school or work zone, making that a primary offense. Students and construction workers have enough to worry about from traffic alone… let alone from drivers who are not paying proper attention.

Chris Zuppa | Times
The bottom line: This bill is another step in the process, and a good one. Just as the original law laid the groundwork for this action, we can hope that this new law will eventually help make the case to a future Legislature to kick it up another notch and tackle distracted driving in all its forms.

The fact that the secondary-enforcement law still got a lot of motorists to stop texting and start driving is heartening. Of the 1,671 violations of the law cited in 2018, only 39 were for a second (or more) violation of the statute – so the vast majority of those busted for texting apparently took the hint and put down the phone (at least for a while).

We can hope the new bill has a similar impact, and that as it is enforced the prudence of banning distracted driving overall becomes more politically palatable – if not inevitable.

You can also be sure that the broad coalition that pushed for this bill this session will be back in front of their state representatives as the next session takes form to keep the issue of bike/ped safety in the forefront. Florida’s poor ranking nationwide in bike/ped safety coupled with its continued growth is a disaster in the making if distracted drivers are not reminded of their responsibilities (and liabilities) in helping to make our roadways safer.

Bike to Work Day

You probably missed Bike to Work Day last Friday. That’s when most of the country designates a day to encourage people to leave their cars in the garage and try biking to the office.

It’s a great idea, certainly apropos to our ease of riding and temperate climate. However, the third Friday in May is not exactly an ideal time to make the case for business biking. It works well in other areas of the country that are shaking off the winter chills and spring showers… but in Southwest Florida, May usually marks the transition to heat, humidity and the rainy season – all reasons people get off their bikes, rather than getting on. (That’s one reason Florida marks March as National Bike Month, rather than May as on the national level.)

Missing Bike to Work Day doesn’t mean you can’t bike to work throughout the year here. But it does mean that doing so takes either a forgiving workplace or a number of plans and preparations to make the process survivable. It also doesn’t mean either/or – either bike all the time or not at all. Some workdays may work well with cycling in, other may not. Even leaving the car at home only one day a week is still better than nothing – and it could be a good way to shake up your routine positively.

A study by the League of American Bicyclists shows bike commuting is on the rise nationwide – with some of the municipal leaders (such as Washington, DC, and New Orleans) found in places not always known for cool climates. It can be done, apparently… it just may not be as easy for cyclists.

So what if you missed Bike to Work Day last Friday. Doesn’t mean you can’t bike to work today..

 

Ready to ride or run? 

Run? Memorial Day offers two 5Ks – Sandoval in Cape Coral and SNIP Collier in Naples; 3dracinginc.com and gcrunner.org for details.

Ride? Lots of Critical Mass events upcoming: Saturday is the downtown Slow Roll in Fort Myers, followed by the Cape Coral night ride on May 31 and the Southwest Florida night ride June 7. Lights are required for night rides and helmets are recommended; details at meetup.com. Looking for summer activities for your kids? The first week-long Wheel Lee Fun camp kicks off June 10. Details at caloosariders.org. 

Both? Upcoming events include:
  • 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. 


 

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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Pedestrians matter


Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, May 22, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com


Shutterstock
“We are all pedestrians sometimes” served as the catch phrase for a local pedestrian safety awareness campaign many years ago. That and similar phrases can be found among many past and current traffic safety campaigns around the state, country and world.

Considering just how accurate and valid that statement is, one would think it would equate to the kind of behavior the campaigns intend: When we are motorists, we should drive carefully around vulnerable road users because, at some point, we’ll be the vulnerable ones. But instead, pedestrians — many who are earnestly trying to get around on foot as a means of transportation or simply trying to enjoy a walk — continue to be mowed down in record numbers, here and pretty much everywhere else. So, what gives?

Everyone has his or her own theory, but there’s a profession dedicated to studying and attempting to understand what’s going on in the minds of road users. These people are considered “traffic psychologists.” Although I have a social sciences degree that included plenty of psychology courses, I am not among these specialists. Rather, my interest and understanding comes from dealing with road use and traffic on an individual level and from working in the injury prevention field for many decades. That being the case, I’d like to take a brief look at our behaviors when we’re part of traffic.

As might be expected, failure to pay attention to one’s task, whether it be driving, walking or operating a bike, is a common factor in crashes or near misses among all of those modes. While there are many studies focusing on distraction/ inattention and its impact on behavior, the actual number of crashes, injuries and fatalities is unknown but likely much higher than statistics suggest, due primarily to incomplete or unreported crash data. Some studies look at distractions coming from a variety of sources and often label them as “inattention” due to “mind wandering” or “perceptual load.” So, it’s not just handheld electronic devices that are the source of distraction; anything that takes one’s mind off the task of driving, walking or operating a bike creates increased risky behavior. This should come as no surprise to anyone who’s paying attention.

Personal experience confirms the problems that result from inattention and distraction. Who hasn’t been behind the driver who speeds up and slows down inappropriately because he’s using a phone? Or the person on a bike who’s riding with no hands, wearing earbuds and looking down to deal with music choices on a device (and usually riding on the wrong side of the road)? That same scenario is all too common among pedestrians crossing the street, whether at a crosswalk or not.

It’s a bad idea to give everyone in those examples the benefit of the doubt that they know what they’re doing. Traffic psychologists (or anyone else, for that matter) don’t seem to be able to get to the root of why those types of potentially self-destructive distractions are so common.

Complex traffic conditions, surrounding environments full of stimuli such as flashing signs or beautiful scenery, or other elements out of one’s control are understandable distractions. But the examples I cited in the prior paragraph confound me and most researchers. Perhaps it’s as simple as the perceived benefits (i.e., yapping with a friend, checking text/email messages, concentrating on media/music choices) being worth the risk, especially among the majority of people who have not yet been the victim of their own or someone else’s distraction. Why those who have been harmed or harmed others by engaging in this behavior yet still choose to continue is even more perplexing.

Pedestrians and people on bikes, being the most vulnerable road users, have the most to lose due to mistakes or poor decisions made by themselves or others. However, since motorists can inflict the most damage, we have the highest level of responsibility when behind the wheel. Disappointingly, law enforcement officials too frequently put the blame on the non-motorist victim when determining who’s at fault in a crash. That equates to the general public — especially those who are less inclined to walk or bicycle regularly — believing it’s just fine to operate a 2-ton vehicle as a secondary task while doing whatever else they’d rather be doing.

I guess besides individually behaving the way we’d like others to behave, all we can do is hope people decide to behave better whenever mixing with traffic. And we can get involved in changing the dynamics of our infrastructure and traffic law enforcement.

As always, to learn about these topics and more visit bikewalklee.blogspot.com and www.streetsaliveswfl.org (where you’ll find a newly developed map of crashes involving pedestrians and people on bikes).  ¦




 
- 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.






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Monday, May 20, 2019

May 20: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:


Cycling:

  • Monday, May 20: 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. 6 p.m., Fort Myers Cyclery, 3630 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
  • Tuesday, May 21: Taco Tuesday Ride. Every Tuesday night, We Ride For Tacos! 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. 6:30 p.m., Trek Bicycle Store of Fort Myers, 8291 Dani Drive, Fort Myers (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) 
  • Sunday, May 26: Wakey, Wakey! Weekly Sunday Morning Ride. This is a weekly ride for riders of most skill levels and most types of bicycles (hybrids, fitness, and road). The ride is sanctioned by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club, thus helmets are required, no ear buds, and no aero bar use while in the group. 7.30 a.m., location varies, visit (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL) for details.
  • 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)  
  • Friday, June 7: 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. (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:









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Monday, May 13, 2019

May 13: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:

Cycling:
  • Wednesday, May 15: Ride of Silence, two options – Cape Coral and Sanibel. See bikewalklee.blogspot.com/2019/05/bikewalklee-silence-speaks-loudly-about.html for details.
  • 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)  
  • Friday, June 7: 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. (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:









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Thursday, May 9, 2019

BikeWalkLee: Silence speaks loudly about safety

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, May 9, 2019
by Ken Gooderham

May means National Bike Month. May also means the Ride of Silence – perhaps not the best way to celebrate cycling, some might say.

But you can’t celebrate cycling without promoting road safety, and riding to remember those who were injured or killed while on a bike is certainly an emphatic way to underscore how unsafe our roadways can be – particularly in Southwest Florida, where more cyclists have been killed so far in 2019 than in all of the previous year.

The Ride of Silence is a global event that takes place every May in 48 countries, seven continents and all 50 states (plus Washington, DC). Riders are requested to wear black arm bands (red if they have personally been injured in a cycling versus motor vehicle accident). Cyclists will ride in a silent, funeral-style procession at 10-12 mph for 7 miles.

Once again, there will be two Ride of Silence locally, both scheduled for Wednesday, May 15:
  • The Sanibel ride – organized by the Sanibel Bicycle Club, Billy’s Bike and Matzaluna Restaurant – will gather at 6:45 p.m. at Matzaluna, 1200 Periwinkle Way. The ride kicks off at 7 p.m. down Periwinkle to the Sanibel Causeway, crossing the two lower spans and turning around under the main span to return to Matzaluna. Helmets and lights required.
  • The Cape Coral ride – organized by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club and Streets Alive of Southwest Florida – departs from the Southwest Florida Military Museum, 4820 Leonard Street, at 7 p.m. The 7-mile ride will be on public streets at speeds not to exceed 12 mph. Helmets and lights also required.

The Cape event will also feature an inaugural Walk of Silence organized by Streets Alive, to focus on the roadway risks facing walkers, runners, skaters and wheelchair users throughout Southwest Florida. Participants in the 1-mile walk are encouraged to wear white or neon-color shirts and comfortable shoes, and to bring a flashlight if possible (although reflective wristbands and lights will be handed out as necessary).

Cape bike racks coming


Some better news for cyclists who ride to downtown Cape Coral: The Cape Coral Community Foundation in partnership with Cape Coral Bike-Ped has established a fund to bring more bike racks to downtown – a great way to encourage cycling as well as burnish the city’s Bronze status as a Bike-Friendly Community.

A check ceremony was held May 6 to hand funds over to the city, with special thanks to Mike Swanson of Cape Coral Bike Ped and Mike Holm of Fort Myers Cyclery for working together to raise these funds initially.

Keep an eye out for the new racks at the next Cape Coral Critical Mass ride, set for Friday, May 31… or grab your bike and head over to downtown on your own!

Cape tri Saturday


So we’ve covered biking and walking in the Cape… let’s end with an event that combines both (well, running rather than walking) and throws in swimming to kick things off.

Of course, that means Saturday’s Cape Coral Sprint Tri, celebrating its 10th year and once again using the Yacht Club as its base. Alas, if you haven’t already signed up the event website says the registration cut-off was May 6… but you can still come down and cheer on the triathletes Saturday morning.

 

Ready to ride or run? 

Run? Two 5Ks this Saturday – the Lovers Key run/walk on fort Myers Beach and the Lipman 5K Run for Backpacks in Immokalee – followed by the Cape Cops 5K run walk on May 18. Details at ftmyerstrackclub.com and active.com.

Ride? Critical Mass takes to the streets of Sanibel Saturday night and NE Lee a week from Friday (May 17). Lights are required for night rides and helmets are recommended; details at meetup.com.
Wednesday brings the two Rides of Silence outlined in the article.

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. 


 

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Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Rides of Silence, other events planned during National Bike Month


Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, May 8, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com


Ghost Bikes remind us of those who’ve lost their lives
May is National Bike Month, a time meant to increase awareness and use of one of the most efficient human-powered machines ever invented. Besides the bicycle’s efficiency and versatility, it provides users with a positive experience — at least much of the time. The obvious exceptions involve poor road and pathway design (especially at intersections), disrespect and intimidation by motorists and crashes. While the latter doesn’t always involve motor vehicles (those represent less than 20% of crashes among operators of bikes), those that do frequently involve serious injury or death.

During May different dates are designated for specific activities. Wednesday, May 8 is Bike to School Day. The third week of May is Bike to Work Week; Friday May 17 is Bike to Work Day. Also during that week: Wednesday, May 15, the annual Ride of Silence (www.rideofsilence.org) takes place. It’s a day set aside to commemorate those who have been killed or injured while on their bikes. This year the main Ride of Silence in Lee County will happen in Cape Coral rather than its usual venue in Fort Myers.

The League of American Bicyclists (www.bikeleague.org) has sponsored National Bike Month since 1956. It is meant to exemplify the many positive aspects of cycling. But, like all aspects of interacting with traffic, it comes with risk. Unfortunately, here in Southwest Florida — and Lee County in particular — the risk is much higher than it could and should be. Because our roadways are designed first and foremost to move as many motor vehicles as efficiently as possible those on foot and bicycle all too often pay the price. And because of the real and perceived danger of operating a bike on the road many who would otherwise do just that end up deciding to use sidewalks meant for pedestrians, sometimes increasing their own risk and that of true pedestrians. For that reason — and because many more pedestrians are victims of crashes with motor vehicles — this year’s Ride of Silence will also include pedestrians.

As always, to learn about these topics and more visit bikewalklee.blogspot.com and www.streetsaliveswfl.org. And be sure to get out and ride during National Bike Month. visit . ¦




 
- 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.






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Monday, May 6, 2019

Cape Coral Community Foundation presents check for bike racks at May 6th Cape Coral Council meeting

 
At May 6, 2019 Cape Coral City Council meeting, Mayor Coviello, Carolyn Conant and Diane and Mike Holm accepted the $8200 check from Beth Rivera and Joe Cerino for the purchase of bike racks in the newly renovated downtown area on SE 47th Terrace. Mike & Diane Holm and Mike Swanson worked together with Cape Coral Community Foundation to raise funds to make Cape Coral more bicycle and pedestrian friendly.  The Cape Coral partnership sponsoring the bike racks was highlighted in BikeWalkLee's April 29th blog post.
May 6, 2019 check presentation by Cape Coral Community Foundation to the City of Cape Coral. From left to right, Mayor Coviello, Beth Rivera, Grant Manager of Cape Coral Community Foundation (CCCF), Joe Cerino, CCCF Board Member, Carolyn Conant, Cape Coral Bike Ped, Diane & Mike Holm of Fort Myers Cyclery and Cape Coral Bike Ped members. Absent Mike Swanson, Cape Coral Bike Ped.

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.”
 

 
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May 6: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:
  • 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:
  • 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:
  • 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.









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Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Join a Ride of Silence event on May 15th

May has arrived and time to firm up your plans to join one of the two local Ride of Silence events (Cape Coral and Sanibel) on Wed. evening May 15th to honor fallen cyclists and promote road safety. Note that the annual Caloosa Rider-sponsored ride is in Cape Coral this year, not Fort Myers.

What began in 2003 in Dallas as a spontaneous outpouring of grief for a friend and fellow rider, struck and killed by the mirror of a passing vehicle, has rolled across the globe to become an international annual event memorializing and honoring cyclists who have been injured and killed while riding.

The Ride of Silence is a worldwide event, with almost all USA States participating, along with 22 other countries. The many hundreds of events share the same goals: "To honor fallen cyclists, to promote road safety, and to make a difference."

Bike safety is not a fleeting issue, especially here in Florida which ranks as the very worst in the nation for cyclist safety, with the highest fatality rate for ten years in a row. In 2018, 3 cyclists were killed in Lee County crashes, while 4 cyclists have been killed in 2019 in just the first 4 months. In 2017, 4 cyclists were killed, while 2016 set a record, with 9 fatalities.

Past CRBC Ride of Silence in Fort Myers

 The Ride of Silence, in memorializing riders injured and killed, seeks to draw motorist's attention to cyclist's legal rights to full use of the roadways, to inform motorists that we are here, to watch for us--as if our lives depended on it. Please come out to show your support and send the message that we deserve our right to operate on our own roads. We are not just bike riders, but friends and neighbors and we must all Share the Road.

Locally there are TWO Rides of Silence planned—Cape Coral and Sanibel.

1. The Ride and Walk of Silence 2019 (in Cape Coral)Co-hosted by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club and Streets Alive of Southwest Florida
 

Come join the local Ride and Walk of Silence, co-hosted by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club and Streets Alive of Southwest Florida with a City of Cape Coral Police Department escort, through downtown Cape Coral on May 15, 2019 at 7 p.m. The Ride of Silence will depart from the SWFL Military Museum, 4820 Leonard Street, Cape Coral, Florida on a 7-mile slow ride for adults and youth alike with a speed no greater than 12 miles per hour.

The Ride of Silence, in its 17th year throughout the country, is important here in SW Florida. From 2012-2017 there have been over 2655 injuries and 144 deaths related to cyclists and pedestrians on Lee County roadways. Link to map and stats: https://arcg.is/1qTKD0. Recent local tragedies in which a cyclist and a pedestrian were killed on March 25th and April 8th point to the need for the community to come together and participate in this Ride of Silence.

Simultaneously the inaugural Walk of Silence, in partnership with Streets Alive of SW Florida, will take place from the same location to bring further awareness to the lack of safe designs in general within SW Florida for walkers, handicapped including those in wheelchairs, skaters and bicyclists. This inaugural walk specially honors 2 children from our community who have lost their lives on our roads in 2019, Alana Marie Tamplin and Layla Aiken. Streets Alive of SWFL will have a select amount of reflective wristbands and lights for walkers in need. Walkers are encouraged to wear white or neon color shirts, bring a flashlight if possible and wear comfortable/walking shoes. The walk will be 1 mile at a slow pace.

A brief ceremony remembering family and loved-ones who lost their lives while walking or cycling will be held starting at 6:45 p.m., followed by ride protocol and safety instructions, before riders depart promptly at 7:00 p.m. Cyclists are asked to wear a helmet and have front and rear lights on their bike.

Come join us on this important Ride and Walk of Silence on May 15, 2019 through the City of Cape Coral which is working diligently to make our Bicycle Friendly Community safer. 

 For more information, contact the ride organizer, Megan, at mfasig@embarqmail.com.

 2. Sanibel Ride of Silence
 Hosted by the Sanibel Bicycle Club in partnership with Matzaluna Restaurant and Billy's Bikes


Gathering at Matzaluna's for past Sanibel Ride of Silence
The Sanibel Bicycle Club has organized an annual Ride of Silence since 2009. This year’s ride is hosted by the Club, Billy’s Bikes, and Matzaluna Restaurant. Riders are encouraged to arrive for waiver signing and equipment check by 6:45 p.m. at Matzaluna Restaurant (1200 Periwinkle Way).

At 7:00 p.m. promptly the ride will leave Matzaluna's, down Periwinkle Way to the Sanibel Causeway. The ride will cross over the first 2 bridges of the causeway, do the turnaround under the main span, and return to Matzaluna (approximately 7 miles round trip).

Helmets required for all riders and front and tail lights are required if you plan to ride your bike home after dinner.

· Matzaluna will provide discounted food and drink for all riders.

· For further details, contact Salli Kirkland (Billy’s Bikes): salli@sanibelbike.com.









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