Thursday, August 29, 2019

BikeWalkLee: To e- or not to e-

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, August 29, 2019
by Ken Gooderham


If you’ve been on a bike path lately and have been passed by another cyclist who’s moving right along without doing much pedaling – welcome to e-bicycling!

E-bikes are a hot-selling new wave in cycling, cranking up an increased share of sales in the past few years as more manufacturers have joined the fray. They’ve also become a semi-hot item legislatively, with some governments taking action to limit or prohibit their use.

So what is an e-bike?

Simply put, it’s a bicycle that has an electric motor to boost pedaling (or eliminate it altogether). Pedal-assisted bikes augment your own pedal power (so you do some of the work), while throttle-operated bikes run on the motor alone (so you can do none of the work if you wish). Either way, to be considered a bicycle they must not be able to exceed 20 mph (per state law), and they can (mostly) legally be ridden anywhere a regular bicycle can go (exceptions to be discussed in a minute).

A little online searching reveals a number of places locally that sell and/or rent e-bikes, if you decide to give one a try.

But should you?

If your goal with bicycling is to get some exercise, probably not. If your goal is transportation, maybe so.

As far as exercise, pedal-assist does mean you have to do some of the work… so not a complete loss. However, in flat-as-a-pancake Florida making a case that you need help riding is a little more difficult – unless this about distance rather than elevation. And if you as a Florida cyclist ever find yourself somewhere with actual hills… well, an e-bike could be a good bet there.


A pedal-assisted e-bike. Source: wikimedia

The benefits of e-bikes:
  • They can be a good way to get (or keep) people on bikes… by making it easier to get started in riding or stay on a bike longer.
  • They can be a good equalizer… making slow riders faster and weak climbers better.
  • They can be a great short-trip mode of transportation… again, easier to ride and haul things when there’s a little help.
The negatives of e-bikes:
  • They’re heavy and more expensive… because you’ve added a motor and batteries on board.
  • They take some getting used to compared to a regular bike… they may start faster, brake slower and ride differently due to the extra weight and oomph.
  • They may not be allowed where you want to ride… Fort Myers Beach banned them on sand, sidewalks and paths last year, and Sanibel is considering a similar prohibition (next hearing will be Sept. 9). There may be other prohibitions in parks and other restricted-riding places, so check that out before you plan to e-bike there… and be aware of the legal issues in the paragraph after next.

Of course, a big concern with e-bikes is speed (theirs) and safety (everyone else’s). Mixing bicycles that can easily do 20 mph on a shared-use path with much slower walkers, runners and riders is asking for trouble if the e-cyclist isn’t used to navigating a bigger and faster bike amidst the other path users. Riding a bike where the amount of assistance can be controlled would be a plus here, as the e-cyclist could ride like a normal cyclist in traffic then open it up again once (and if) the other slower users thinned out. (If you regularly ride on the road with other motorized traffic, the boost that pedal-assist brings could be a welcome benefit.)

This brings up an even more pressing issue: Per Florida Statutes, e-bikes aren’t actually legal to ride on a bike path or sidewalk unless specifically allowed by local ordinance – something that hasn’t occurred locally, except in the instances cited above where their use is explicitly banned. (Devices used by people with mobility issues are not banned under this statute.) This e-bike prohibition isn’t rigorously (or even lackadaisically) enforced, but it does exist… so if you’re looking at an e-bike, also look at where you can legally ride it so there aren’t any surprises (or potential liability) down the road.

Any development that could convince more people to try cycling – and enable cyclists to stay riding longer – is certainly worth considering. But those e-cyclists must be ready to ride responsibly rather than recklessly, recognizing their size and speed could bring risk to others even as they bring a boost to the person behind the handlebars.

NOTE: Remember that school is back in session, which means kids are back at bus stops… so slow down and watch out for students.

Ready to ride or run? 

Run? Labor Day kicks off the fall running schedule, with a Naples 5K on Monday. Things really pick up on Sept. 14, with the Tunnel to Towers 5K run/walk in Lakes Park, the Average Joe 5K in North Collier Regional Park, and a half-marathon in Venice. Details at gcrunner.org, ftmyerstrackclub.com, active.com and venicehalf.com.

Ride? A big weekend for Critical Mass, with the Cape ride Friday night, the Slow Roll in downtown Fort Myers Saturday morning, and an anniversary party Saturday afternoon that morphs into a night ride. Then the regular downtown ride happens on Sept. 6. Lights required for the night rides and helmets recommended for all rides; details at meetup.com.

Both? Upcoming events include:

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. 


 

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Hazards for cyclists, walkers include behavior of others


Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, August 28, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

It’s no surprise that bikes are never seen parked at this rack near downtown Fort Myers. DAN MOSER / FLORIDA WEEKLY


I regularly hear from folks complaining about behavior from others on our roads and pathways.

In particular, cyclists passing on narrow sidewalks without warning and pedestrians not hearing or acknowledging warnings and obstructing the path. The latter is especially problematic when pedestrians walk dogs and the leash becomes a hazard. The former — cyclists not warning when passing — is much too common as so many people ride bikes on narrow sidewalks. The obvious solutions to each of these problems is to remain aware of one’s surroundings and to always have consideration for others.

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 239-334-6417.
With the new school year comes the usual problems created by parents and other adults who drive their kids to school or wait with them at the bus stop — parking on or otherwise blocking sidewalks and bike lanes. Unfortunately, based on reactions of those who are guilty of this when it’s pointed out, all that matters is their own convenience. There’s no way to really measure the frequency of this behavior but based on my observations it’s extremely common and rarely addressed by either law enforcement or school officials.

Leaf blowers, mowers and weed eaters can be quite daunting when the operator is unaware of those who must pass by them. The dirt and dust from leaf blowers are especially problematic. In general, professional landscapers are very courteous but because there are so many of them it can be like playing whack-a-mole this time of year. Lawn sprinklers are another pesky element of a daily walk, run or bike ride. Although they shouldn’t be on during daylight hours, they often are. Often, they are misadjusted so are watering the sidewalk and roadway more than the grass, causing folks to avoid them by sometimes making erratic and risky detours. Just recently the sprinklers came alive in the park in front of Lee Memorial Hospital at 3:30 in the afternoon, scrambling folks sitting on park benches. I saw one hospital worker leave behind her shoes as she hastily abandoned her seat. Why there’s any need to water at all this time of year is beyond my understanding.

Uneven, broken or missing segments of sidewalks; road hazards like potholes, open storm drains, spilled and hardened concrete; shoulder drop-offs; and construction taking place in the right of way are hazards we face on a daily basis. Sidewalks along U.S. 41 are frequently closed or restricted due to utility construction beneath them, sometimes resulting in both sides being impassible. The contractor reworking 41 between Winkler Avenue and downtown Fort Myers is actually doing a good job of ensuring pedestrian (and bicycle) access, but the same can’t be said of those doing work along 41 from College Parkway to points south, work that seems to be in a perpetual state.

I think anyone who uses his bike on a regular basis will agree that adequate bike parking is something our part of the world is sorely lacking. Even our most urbanized and updated areas, (Fort Myers River District, Fort Myers Beach, South Cape Coral) do not provide it to the degree necessary and surely not enough to attract others who might ride a bike to the destination rather than drive there. Even where it is provided it’s usually spartan and hardly enticing. Locating them under cover and close to obvious destinations would be nice but it’s a rarity here. Utility poles, signposts and landscaping features are where you’ll see most bikes parked and locked. But thanks to them being designated Bike Friendly Communities, Sanibel is somewhat of an exception and Cape Coral is making strides.

To learn about this topic and more, visit bikewalklee.blogspot.com and www.streetsaliveswfl.org



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.






Monday, August 26, 2019

August 26: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:
  • Monday, Sept. 2: Labor Day 5K, Lowdermilk Park, Naples (gcrunner.org)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk, Lakes Park, Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: Average Joe Run 5K, North Collier Regional Park, Naples (active.com)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: Venice Half Marathon & 5K, Venice (venicehalf.com
  • Friday, Sept. 20: Downtown Dash 1-mile run/walk, 6 p.m., Lee county regional Library, downtown Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
  • Wednesday, Oct. 3: GCR Corporate Run, non-timed 5K, Gordon River Greenway, Naples (gcrunner.org)
  • Saturday, Oct. 5: Busey Bank Run for Prevention 5K, Centennial Park, Fort Myers (3dracinginc.com)
  • Sunday, Oct. 6: Rocktoberfest 5K/10K, North Collier Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.com)
  • Saturday, Oct. 12: Fort Myers Cops and Joggers 5K, downtown Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
  • Saturday, Oct. 19: Gulf to Gulf 80 Mile Relay, downtown Naples to the Sanibel Causeway and back for 6-person relay teams (gcrunner.org)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: FISH 10K, Sanibel (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: Eighth annual LCEC Goblin Gallop 5K, Jaycee Park, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: Halloween Monster 5K, Fleischmann Park, Naples (gcrunner.org
  • For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; eliteevents.org and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:
  • Monday, Aug. 26: 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, Aug. 27: 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, Aug. 30: 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, Aug. 31: 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)
  • Saturday, Aug. 31: Critical Mass 6th annual Anniversary Beach Party: Food, fun, costume and bike contest… oh, and a ride as well. Pre-ride fun starts at 5 p.m., ride kicks off at 8 p.m., all from Centennial Park, downtown Fort Myers. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
  • Sunday, Sep. 1: 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. 
  • 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:

  • Monday, Sept. 2: Venice Sprint Tri, Sharky’s on the Pier, Venice (trifind.com)
  • Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 7-8: Galloway Captiva Tri. Sprint on Saturday, kids’ events Sunday (www.gearedup.biz)
  • Saturday, Sept. 21: The Original Siesta Key Tri, sprint (runsignup.com)
  • Sunday, Nov. 17: Longboat Key Sprint/Olympic Triathlon and Duathlon and 5K (imathlete.com)
  • Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.









Monday, August 19, 2019

August 19: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:
  • Saturday, Aug. 24: Rampage 5K, North Collier Regional Park, Naples (runeliteevents.com)
  • Monday, Sept. 2: Labor Day 5K, Lowdermilk Park, Naples (gcrunner.org)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk, Lakes Park, Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: Average Joe Run 5K, North Collier Regional Park, Naples (active.com)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: Venice Half Marathon & 5K, Venice (venicehalf.com
  • Friday, Sept. 20: Downtown Dash 1-mile run/walk, 6 p.m., Lee county regional Library, downtown Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
  • Wednesday, Oct. 3: GCR Corporate Run, non-timed 5K, Gordon River Greenway, Naples (gcrunner.org)
  • Saturday, Oct. 5: Busey Bank Run for Prevention 5K, Centennial Park, Fort Myers (3dracinginc.com)
  • Sunday, Oct. 6: Rocktoberfest 5K/10K, North Collier Regional Park, Naples (eliteevents.com)
  • Saturday, Oct. 12: Fort Myers Cops and Joggers 5K, downtown Fort Myers (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
  • Saturday, Oct. 19: Gulf to Gulf 80 Mile Relay, downtown Naples to the Sanibel Causeway and back for 6-person relay teams (gcrunner.org)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: FISH 10K, Sanibel (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: Eighth annual LCEC Goblin Gallop 5K, Jaycee Park, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: Halloween Monster 5K, Fleischmann Park, Naples (gcrunner.org
  • For more running events visit gcrunner.org/calendar.html; ftmyerstrackclub.com/race-calendar; eliteevents.org and 3dracinginc.com

Cycling:
  • Monday, Aug. 19: 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, Aug. 20: 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) 
  • Sunday, Aug. 25: 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, Aug. 30: 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, Aug. 31: 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)
  • Saturday, Aug. 31: Critical Mass 6th annual Anniversary Beach Party: Food, fun, costume and bike contest… oh, and a ride as well. Pre-ride fun starts at 5 p.m., ride kicks off at 8 p.m., all from Centennial Park, downtown Fort Myers. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
  • 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:

  • Monday, Sept. 2: Venice Sprint Tri, Sharky’s on the Pier, Venice (trifind.com)
  • Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 7-8: Galloway Captiva Tri. Sprint on Saturday, kids’ events Sunday (www.gearedup.biz)
  • Saturday, Sept. 21: The Original Siesta Key Tri, sprint (runsignup.com)
  • Sunday, Nov. 17: Longboat Key Sprint/Olympic Triathlon and Duathlon and 5K (imathlete.com)
  • Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.









Thursday, August 15, 2019

Florida Weekly on Bicycling clubs: All cycled UP

Florida Weekly's August 14 edition has a write-up about organized group riding: All cycled UP.

'Bicycling clubs offer camaraderie, safety in numbers and a way to keep fit for South Florida riders.'

Rick Slako, Team StormRiders captain, leads a grueling run at speed up Rickenbacker Bridge near Miami. COURTESY PHOTO


HOW COULD YOU GO WRONG? YOU LIVE IN a state that sees at least a few hours of sunshine roughly 250 days each year. This isn’t Ohio or Michigan.

You’re surrounded by marked roadways, park trails, community sidewalks and specified bicycle paths from east to west and north to south.

So you clip into the growing sport of bicycling, as good a fitness and fun endeavor as any on the planet, especially for aging bodies — one that offers a great deal else, as well. Bicycle riding clubs offer experienced advice that might help the rest of us, from beginners to talented competitors. Don’t claim it’s too flat to have fun, here.

Though Florida has no mountains, that doesn’t stop riders like Leigh Masimore of Naples Velo from finding a mountain occasionally.

Now in his 60s, Mr. Masimore was riding the flat country and the mountains around Dillon, Colo., elevation 9,000 feet and up, just last week, coming into those rides from his several-day-per-week riding regimen in Naples.

“When I got to Florida (from Nashville) I connected with Naples Velo,” he says. “It has fast rides for experienced riders, but part of the mission is to be a club for a lot of different riders.”

At Naples Velo, rides through different parts of Collier County may be “moderate” — 20 to 22 miles per hour for 30 miles, say — or they may be more demanding: For those who can ride at 25 to 30 mph, or faster.

“One of my friends described being dropped off the back of a (group) ride at 36 miles per hour,” he recalls. Those rugged rides may be 50 miles or longer.

For Rick Slako, captain of Team StormRiders in Miami-Dade County, hill training requires bridges, but the joy is simply in the discipline — four days a week averaging 30 to 60 miles — and the dynamic camaraderie of the team, where he’s even seen romances and marriages form, or dissolve, he says.

Mr. Slako started riding in the 1980s when he lived in West Kendall. He was racing then, but without much success.

Read more at Florida Weekly



BikeWalkLee: How to get ready for rain

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, August 15, 2019
by Ken Gooderham


When it’s raining all the time or any time of day, cyclists have two choices: Stay home or get wet.

Nobody wants to do the former, so you should be prepared for the latter.

With the weather patterns lately, cyclists don’t even need to intend to get caught in the rain. Sometime, rain just happens… as in when a partly cloudy morning at 8:30 a.m. suddenly turns stormy by 9 a.m. So you either take shelter (if there’s any to be had) or dance with the raindrops.

When it comes to pedaling in the precipitation, you have two approaches: What to do before it rains, and what to do afterwards.

Beforehand, about all you can do (besides checking your weather app for forecasts and radar) is do your usual pre-ride bike prep (so everything is at least ready to ride dry), throw in a rain jacket (find something that packs into itself for ease of handling), and consider your route (if that’s an option) for places where you could get out of the weather if necessary.

Image: wikimedia.org

What should you do if you get caught in the rain?

  • Get out of it if possible, particularly if it’s heavy and there’s lightning involved (particularly if there’s lightning involved). Look for a structure where you can wait it out.
  • If it’s bearable to ride, work on being visible (especially if you’re in traffic) and avoid flooded areas (since you don’t know what’s under that water). Similarly, avoid painted areas on the roadway, since rain makes them as slippery as ice.
  • If you have a rain jacket, put it on – including the hood (keeps the water from running down your back). If you don’t have a jacket, improvise (think trash bags) or get soaked. Why avoid the saturation? Because wet fabric can get uncomfortable fast.

When the rain stops and you get back home, there’s a few things you should do NOW to make your bike and your next ride better:

  • Wipe down and dry off your bike – thoroughly. If you really got soaked, turn your bike upside down to let the frame drain… some people even suggest a leaf blower to remove moisture (assuming you have one and can stand the noise).
  • Clean and lube everything you can. Your chain is crucial, so if you can give it a thorough degreasing and lube, great. If not, at least wipe it down to get dry and put something on to re-lubricate it. Also, wipe your frame, wheels, brakes and pedals, and lubricate all the moving parts on them as well. Not only will the process help drive the excess moisture out, but your ride will be ready for the next outing as well.
  • Now dry yourself out… clothes, shoes, gloves and helmet. If they’re grimy as well as wet, throw them in the laundry. If it’s just moisture without mud, dry them out and see if they can be used again without washing (at least the stuff that doesn’t directly touch your skin).

If you find yourself getting caught in the rain a lot (hopefully a sign you’re riding a lot), investing in some rain gear might be prudent (or at least more comfortable). Same thing for the tools and chemicals to take care of your bike… particularly smart if you have some serious money invested in your ride. (If it’s really serious money, maybe consider getting a rain bike and leave the good wheels at home.)

You live in the semi-tropics, so cycling in the summer inevitably means getting wet. Be prepared, and you won’t be stuck at home watching your bike slowly rust away. And remember, the rainy season will be over soon.


Ready to ride or run? 

Run? Still slow in organized races, with the Omega Youth Race in Cape Coral this weekend (3dracinginc.com) and the Rampage 5K on Aug. 24 at North Collier Regional Park (runelitevents.com). Once we get to September, your race schedule starts ramping up again – kicking off with a Labor Day 5K in Naples (gcrunner.org).

Ride? You can always count on Critical Mass for rides, even in the midst of summer. You’ll find the NE Lee ride this Friday and the Cape Coral ride Aug. 30. Planning ahead? Plan on the Anniversary Beach Party Aug. 31. Food, fun, costume and bike contest… oh, and a ride as well. Pre-ride fun starts at 5 p.m., ride kicks off at 8 p.m., all from Centennial Park, downtown Fort Myers. All are night rides, so lights required and helmets recommended  (meetup.com).

Both? Upcoming events include:

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. 


 

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Cyclists, pedestrians must be aware of living hazards


Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, August 14, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

On Captiva Island, cactus and Spanish bayonets intrude into the paved shoulder that serves as an unmarked bike lane. DAN MOSER / FLORIDA WEEKLY

Biking to the store recently and getting drenched by a downpour, I was reminded that while it’s great to get outside to and use our own power to get around, our natural and built environment is fraught with its own challenges. Weather is one obvious example. But there are many things that present hazards other than Mother Nature.

I’m an animal lover but dogs can be a problem. A leashed dog whose owner isn’t paying attention or is oblivious to the hazard they can create can easily take a person on a bike down by entangling them or causing an evasive maneuver that goes awry. The dog itself usually isn’t the problem when this occurs but rather the owner. Dogs behind fences have startled me many times when running or walking along a fence. Worse is when they’re behind an unmarked invisible fence and come dashing toward you. In fact, my wife, Maria, was bitten by a dog that breeched its invisible fence so those devices do not always perform as they claim.

Aggressive dogs allowed to run loose or who “get out” are another story altogether. I’ve been chased by packs of dogs when bike riding and running in rural areas.

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 239-334-6417.
Wild animals can also create challenges.

Squirrels, in particular, can cause bicyclists to have to brake hard or make a quick evasive maneuver that may result in a crash. I’ve experienced their antics a number of times. Fortunately, I never crashed or flew over my handlebars as a result (it helps that my top speed is 15 mph). Certain bird species that nest in trees near sidewalks and other pathways can get quite aggressive during breeding season. More than once I’ve been dive-bombed when running or walking by trees in which their eggs must be. And I’ve seen signs posted warning of such activity. Snakes are more common on unpaved surfaces versus paved ones and they usually aren’t a threat but I’ve had to make a U-turn or change my route on two occasions when I encountered rattlesnakes that blocked the way. Both incidents were on unpaved trails but one was in an urban setting.

Landscaping can be quite daunting as well. It can physically block the way and be a visual obstacle. But it can injure as well. Spanish bayonets, bougainvillea and similar thorny plants have no place being planted adjacent to where people walk, run or ride. One example is the Whiskey Creek wall along Summerlin’s pathway that frequently has thorny bougainvillea overflowing the wall into pathway users’ space. Another is on Captiva where Spanish bayonets and other cacti in the county right of way intrude into the paved shoulder that serves as an unmarked bike lane.

McGregor Boulevard’s royal palms are indeed beautiful but they act as problematic visual obstacles for drivers and nonmotorists alike. Falling palm fronds from them could easily cause serious injury if they land on a sidewalk user. Coconuts from coconut palms overhanging pathways can be just as dangerous. I’ve seen many fronds and coconuts crash onto the sidewalk over the years, and not just on McGregor. Stay alert and don’t wear headphones or earbuds because hearing them as they break loose is sometimes the only warning you’ll get.

To learn about this topic and more, visit bikewalklee.blogspot.com and www.streetsaliveswfl.org



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.






Monday, August 12, 2019

August 12: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:


Cycling:

  • Monday, Aug. 12: 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, Aug. 13: 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, Aug 16: 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, Aug. 18: 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, Aug. 30: 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, Aug. 31: 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)
  • Saturday, Aug. 31: Critical Mass 6th annual Anniversary Beach Party: Food, fun, costume and bike contest… oh, and a ride as well. Pre-ride fun starts at 5 p.m., ride kicks off at 8 p.m., all from Centennial Park, downtown Fort Myers. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
  • 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:
  • Monday, Sept. 2: Venice Sprint Tri, Sharky’s on the Pier, Venice (trifind.com)
  • Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 7-8: Galloway Captiva Tri. Sprint on Saturday, kids’ events Sunday (www.gearedup.biz)
  • Saturday, Sept. 21: The Original Siesta Key Tri, sprint (runsignup.com)
  • Sunday, Nov. 17: Longboat Key Sprint/Olympic Triathlon and Duathlon and 5K (imathlete.com)
  • Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.









Monday, August 5, 2019

August 5: Upcoming running/walking/bicycling/tri events

Upcoming events

Running/walking:


Cycling:

  • Monday, Aug. 5: 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, Aug. 6: 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, Aug. 10: 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, Aug. 11: 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, Aug 16: 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)
  • Friday, Aug. 30: 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, Aug. 31: 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)
  • Saturday, Aug. 31: Critical Mass 6th annual Anniversary Beach Party: Food, fun, costume and bike contest… oh, and a ride as well. Pre-ride fun starts at 5 p.m., ride kicks off at 8 p.m., all from Centennial Park, downtown Fort Myers. (meetup.com/Biking-SWFL)
  • 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:
  • Monday, Sept. 2: Venice Sprint Tri, Sharky’s on the Pier, Venice (trifind.com)
  • Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 7-8: Galloway Captiva Tri. Sprint on Saturday, kids’ events Sunday (www.gearedup.biz)
  • Saturday, Sept. 21: The Original Siesta Key Tri, sprint (runsignup.com)
  • Sunday, Nov. 17: Longboat Key Sprint/Olympic Triathlon and Duathlon and 5K (imathlete.com)
  • Check trifind.com to find regional and state tris.









Thursday, August 1, 2019

BikeWalkLee: This park needs a place to park

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, August 1, 2019
by Ken Gooderham

Image source: wikipedia

The John Yarbrough Linear Park is a unique facility, as much a piece of transportation infrastructure (especially for cyclists) as it is a park. As such, it lacks one element that would make it more popular as a park – a place to park.

The linear park, which opened its first phase in 2005, stretches about 5 miles from Colonial Blvd. south to Six Mile Cypress Parkway along both sides of the Ten Mile Canal (which drains land from the City of Fort Myers southward and eventually empties into Mullock Creek and Estero Bay).

Its wide asphalt path conveys cyclists, runners, walker and skaters along a surprisingly natural swath of Southwest Florida. There are tables for picnics, shorelines for fishing and space for your dog to roam a bit (on leash, of course).

But what there isn’t is a place to park.

There is one area where the path intersects Daniels Parkway for a few cars to pull in (and it’s usually busy with walkers and dog owners. There’s an informal parking area at the southern terminus on a vacant lot in a commercial park off Six Mile Cypress… and, of course, people sometimes just pull off the road near where the path intersects, particularly to walk in a little and fish from the canal banks.

Parking is not as big a deal if you’re a cyclist, as many are going from one place to another via the park’s protected (and shaded, very welcome this time of year) pathway. But unless you live nearby (and a lot of people do), walking or fishing or bringing your dog for a change-of-pace walk is really not feasible.

That’s unfortunate, since the linear park is both a unique facility and a great place for a variety of pursuits. The fact that the pathway is removed from vehicular traffic (except when it crosses various roadways) is also a plus for cyclists who’d rather not deal with traffic and would enjoy a wide path with plenty of room for everyone to do their thing.

There are plans to build a trailhead park, which would include parking, restrooms and more, on a county parcel at the Six Mile end of the current path. The park was working its way through the permitting process earlier this year, and seemed on track for approval and construction, with funding proposed to get it under way in the next fiscal year.

The park was included in the draft FY 2019-2020 budget presented to the county commissioners at a briefing in early May. Subsequently, advocates have been informed that the project will not move forward next year as planned. No explanation has been given as of now.

This trailhead park will help boost use of the linear park, making it more feasible for people who aren’t nearby to come and enjoy the park’s unique facilities. It also might kick-start completion of the original linear park plan, which was to extend northward to tie in to the North Colonial Linear Trail and eventually up to Hanson Street. (It would be great to go all the way to downtown Fort Myers, but let’s wish for one thing at a time.)

Let’s hope a county commissioner or two starts asking about the status of the trailhead park once everyone is back from break next week. The funding source is there, the permitting was moving apace… so let’s get this back on track and under construction.

The linear park is a great facility… let’s make it available to more people to enjoy.


Ready to ride or run? 

Run? Not much in organized races until the end of August, with the Aug. 24 Rampage 5K on Aug. 24 at North Collier Regional Park (runelitevents.com). Once we get to September, your race schedule starts ramping up again.

Ride? Critical Mass keeps things moving through the sultry summer, with the big downtown ride Friday night, and Sanibel ride Aug. 10 and the NE Lee ride Aug. 16. These all are  night rides, so front and rear bike lights required; helmets recommended for all (meetup.com).

Both? Upcoming events include:

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.