BikeWalkLee: Helmets: For all ages, at all times

BikeWalkLee Column ‘Go Coastal’
The News-Press, March 11, 2021
by Jody Van Cooney, Special to the News-Press

The Pilot Club of Fort Myers participates in
the Children's Network of Southwest Florida
annual "Walk." At a recent "Walk," Pilot Club
member Patsy Tortora is with a child who
has just been fitted properly with a bicycle helmet.

Bicycling has become an important means of transportation for both adults and children in Lee County. Helmets are an essential part of being on a bicycle (or any kind of wheels, such as skates, skateboards and scooters); it has been documented that wearing a helmet can save a life.

But, you say, “I don’t need to wear a bicycle helmet; I’m only riding in my community.” Would you rather have a messed-up hairdo or brain damage? Many bicyclists think that just because they’re biking in their own community, it’s not necessary to wear a helmet – they feel they’re invincible.

But crashes happen when least expected, and can occur riding around your home just as often as if you were on a long ride or going to work. There are bumps in the streets (or sidewalks) and an individual, no matter how experienced he or she is, can take a bad tumble! That helmet that wasn’t needed might be the reason the person survives the tumble.

Pilot Club member Diane Jensen fits a
bicycle helmet on a young boy during
a recent "End of School, Stop the
Violence" event. A state trooper is
observing the proper fitting technique.

Helmets should not be purchased or obtained just because the adult or child likes the color or shape! They must be fitted to the individual who will be wearing it. It’s also important that the helmet is worn properly; an improperly fitted or worn helmet is like no helmet at all.

Helmets need to be replaced periodically, especially for children as they grow and their heads increase in size. Bicycle helmets have an expiration date, typically five years after date of manufacture, tied to how the materials used in making the helmet can break down over time. Also, be careful in accepting a used helmet – and never purchase a helmet that’s been involved in a crash.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital recommends the following five steps in the proper procedure for fitting and wearing a bicycle helmet:

• The helmet should be level on the head.
• You should be able to place one or two fingers on the forehead between the bottom of the helmet and the eyebrow.
• The front and back straps should be equally tight and meet a “V” just below the ears.
• You should be able to fit one or two fingers between the chin and the chin strap.
• A proper fitting helmet will not move on your head.

Each year the Heights Foundation presents new bicycles
to selected students during the Christmas holiday
season. The Pilot Club coordinates fitting bicycle
helmets for those students. Here, Pilot Club member
Joy Augustine fits a helmet on a young student who
just received his bicycle.

A helmet worn at the back of the head won’t protect the bicyclist’s head (and brain); it must cover the front part of the forehead. Also the helmet should not be worn over something else (such as a baseball cap).

NOTE: Motorcyclists in Florida are especially vulnerable to traffic mishaps. That’s why they are required to wear helmets unless they have proof of $10,000 insurance in medical benefits, and they must be 21 years of age, to legally not wear a helmet.

The Injury Prevention Coalition of Lee County, in partnership with other nonprofit organizations, promotes safety in all walks of life. The Pilot Club of Fort Myers distributes (and fits) about 1,000 helmets at various children’s safety events each year under normal circumstances; these are provided at no charge. 

Jody Van Cooney serves as secretary for both the Injury Prevention Coalition of Lee County and the Pilot Club of Fort Myers.

EVENTS: Here’s the latest in organized running and biking events locally… but confirm with the organizers and be flexible in case conditions change and large-group activities are limited. Of course, wear a mask and act appropriate to your age, physical condition and medical concerns.

FORT MYERS TRACK CLUB (ftmyerstrackclub.com):

• Run for the Youth 5K, March 27, LCSO Central District
  
• Downtown Dash, 1-mile run/walk, in person in downtown Fort Myers Friday, April 16
• Head & Neck Cancer A Hard Thing to Swallow 5K Run & 2-Mile Walk (in-person and virtual), Saturday, April 24

GC RUNNERS (gcrunner.org):

• Baker Park 5K, Saturday, March 27
• Run for the Music 10K, Saturday, April 10
• SNIP Collier 5K, May 31
  

ELITE EVENTS (runeliteevents.com):

• Paradise Coast Half Marathon and 5K, Saturday, March 13
• Naples Distance Classic, 5K/10K/half marathon, Saturday, April 10
  
• City of Palms Half Marathon and 5K, TBD

OTHER RUNS

• Cape Coral Animal Shelter Rescue Run 5K (dogs welcome), Saturday, March 20, 3dracinginc.com.
• Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation Virtual 5K fun run/walk, March 27 - April 3 (virtual, runsignup.com)
  
• Publix Run to the Arts 5K run/walk – iin-person is now delayed to April 18 runsignup.com or runtothearts.com
  

OTHER RIDES

March: CSW Florida Bike Challenge. Individuals, workplaces and bike clubs can sign up to see how many miles they ride and how many people they can encourage to get out on their bikes. Miles add up to points, which add up to prizes. The challenge covers Central Southwest Florida (hence the CSW), from Polk County to Collier County, and kicks off March 1. Details are online at www.lovetoride.net/csw. 

March 14: CRBC-Trek-Member Appreciation Day/Royal Palm Challenge Ride. Caloosa Riders members only, limited to 100 riders (they may open it up to the public if they don’t hit the cap, but don’t count on it). Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva; 33, 45 and 60 mile rides, no support. 

The Caloosa Riders are offering member rides, but some are open to non-members (and it wouldn’t hurt you to join the club); check their ride calendar (caloosariders.org) for a description of the distance and speed, and to see if the ride is open to all.

SW Florida Critical Mass is offering their usual slate of family-friendly rides. Check out their line-up online (www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/) for details and times (and to make sure the ride is still rolling).

• SW Florida Critical Mass ride, first Friday of the month. A family-friendly slow night ride through Fort Myers. Front and rear bike lights required. Helmet and lights required, meet in the parking lot at 2180 West First Street, Fort Myers. 
• Sanibel Critical Mass night ride, second Saturday of the month. Gathers at Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel. Lights required, helmets recommended.
• NE Lee Critical Mass ride, third Friday of the month. Gather in the Winn Dixie parking lot on Palm Beach Blvd. about five miles east of the Interstate; gather at 7 p.m. and roll at 7:30 p.m. for a slow ride through Fort Myers Shores.
• Cape Coral Critical Mass ride, fourth Friday of the month. Gather at the Southwest Florida Military Museum parking lot at 4820 Leonard Street for a family-friendly night ride through the Cape; helmets and lights required.
• Saturday Morning Slow Roll, fourth Saturday of the month. Meet-up at 2160 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Recommended for inexperienced/young riders. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction.

If racing is not your thing but you’d like to support their return nonetheless, consider volunteering to help out at the few in-person offerings ahead. With Covid concerns still confining some of the usual volunteers, a few new helping hand would certainly be welcomed.

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.

 

 

BikeWalkLee: Let’s be careful out there!

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, February 13, 2020
by Ken Gooderham

Seasons means more people, which means more traffic. This is even true on our bicycle and shared-use facilities.

But, unlike our motor-dominated highways, cyclists are usually happy to say: “The more, the merrier!” More users means more support (and demand) for bike/ped facilities and more visibility for cyclists and runners/walkers overall – which then often translates to more safety thanks to increased motorist awareness of bike/ped users sharing the road (or at least the intersection).

The only downside to more cyclists and pedestrians can be less latitude for operator error. By that I mean a moment of inattention or indiscretion can be overlooked on an empty bike path… but has the potential for danger (or at least sparking path rage) on more crowded facilities.

This is where common sense and common courtesy come into play, to keep all users safe and happy (at least happy about sharing the path). Alas, even though they should be “common,” both sense and courtesy can be illusory at times.

How can we as bikers and walkers change that?

The first and best thing we all can do is pay attention. Sounds simple in practice, but in these distractive times it can be more challenging than one would think.

However, just as we say about driving, when you are cycling, running or walking, the most important thing you should is to cycle, run or walk – period. Not talk on the phone, not read or send texts, not listen to noise loud enough to take your attention away from your surroundings.

But that ubiquitous smart phone has the capacity to make even the most sensible among us pretty dumb unless we consciously work not to succumb to its distractions. I have seen people walk into traffic, almost ride into stationary objects and otherwise be completely oblivious to what’s around them while their attention is absorbed by that tiny screen.

It’s a recipe for disaster… so please, please, put down the phone when you are in motion. That goes for cycling, running, walking and, of course, operating a motor vehicle.

The second and third best things to do to stay safe are to be predictable and be visible. This matters when you’re dealing with motor vehicle traffic (because the stakes are higher, at least for you), but it is equally important when interacting with other cyclists and pedestrians.

If the other path users know you will bike predictably (stay in your lane, no weaving or swerving or sudden stops) or walk consistently (no sudden changes in direction, no errant kids or dogs), everyone wins. And the need to be seen is crucial, albeit less so than when dealing with motor vehicles… but particularly in lower light and busier settings.

There are plenty of other tips that can make you a safer biker or pedestrian; a simple online search will give you an array of options. However, experience often is the best teacher, so look around you when you ride or run and see what others are doing that puts them (and you) at risk. Then learn from their mistakes and remind yourself not to repeat them.

Examples? It only takes seeing one near-miss to remind you to walk or run facing traffic – particularly when you are on the same level, not on a sidewalk – so you can see that car that’s impinging on your space and either take evasive action or wave them back onto their part of the road.

Similarly, it only takes one near-miss when someone riding towards you on a bike path either is so busy looking at the scenery or talking to a fellow cyclist that they don’t see you heading their way in the opposite direction until you make enough noise to get their attention. Then you’ll remember to watch the road and not ride side-by-side on a narrow path with ongoing traffic.

Cyclists, always yield to pedestrians… and warn them as you approach if they seem to be clueless (and even when they’re not). Pedestrians, always be aware of your surroundings… and don’t just blindly expect that everyone else around you is looking out for you. Both of you, always move to the side of the path when you stop to talk, drink, take a picture or otherwise cease forward motion.

And everyone, always be a good person to your fellow bikers, runners and walkers. There’s enough rudeness and incivility in the world already, don’t feel the need to add to it when you should be enjoying a nice ride, a good walk and a pleasant time outdoors.

Ready to ride or run?

Run?   A burst of activity as the winter race season hits its stride… lead out by the venerable Edison 5K this Saturday night. Lots of participants, lots of spectators, lots of traffic and road closures… so be prepared. Looking for less noise and more miles? You have three half-marathons to choose from: The Paradise Coast half/5K at North Collier Regional Park this Sunday, the City of Palms half/5K at FGCU on Feb. 29, and the Lazy Flamingo half in Fort Myers on March. If 5Ks are your preference, there the Run the Lakes for Cypress Lake Middle at Lakes Park on Feb. 22 and the Naples Golden Eagle 5K in downtown Naples Feb. 29. Details at ftmyerstrackclub.com, runeliteevents.com, runsignup.com and gcrunner.org.

Ride?  Critical Mass has these regularly scheduled rides on tap:

• Saturday, Feb. 15: 2020 Edison Festival of Light Parade Ride. A cyclist awareness ride, so they’re going for lots of riders and not a lot of speed. Gathers after 4 p.m. at the Edison restaurant to ride over to the Fort Myers high for the parade. Details at meetup.com.
• Friday, Feb. 21: NE-Lee Critical Mass night ride, gathers at the Winn-Dixie, 14600 Palm Beach Blvd. Lights required, helmets recommended. Details and start times at meetup.com.
• Friday, Feb. 28: Cape Coral Critical Mass ride. Gather at the Southwest Florida Military Museum parking lot at 4820 Leonard Street for a family-friendly night ride through the Cape. Lights required, helmets recommended. Details and start times at meetup.com.
• Saturday, Feb. 29: Saturday Morning Slow Roll, meet-up at 2160 McGregor Blvd. Recommended for inexperienced/young riders. Distance is 6 miles, includes group ride instruction. Details and start times at meetup.com.

Lights required for night rides, helmets recommended for all, details and start times at meetup.com.

You can also head south for the 10th annual Tour de Marco, with 15- and 30-mile rides on Sunday, Feb 23, to benefit Marco YMCA (www.marcoymca.org). If you’re planning ahead, plan for the 22nd annual Royal Palm Challenge on Sunday, March 9. The Caloosa Riders offer a fun-filled day – and rides for everyone, at 15, 40 and 62 miles. Starts and ends downtown at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation Collaboratory, so make a day of it! Online at www.caloosariders.org.

If you’re looking for a good ride and some cycling camaraderie, look no further than the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club. Check out their ride calendar and you see a ride for almost every day of the week (never on a Friday, but even more on weekends), all mapped and planned for your enjoyment. The Riders even tell you how fast (or not) you’ll need to be to keep up… click on the ride of your choice for all the details and even a map. All at caloosariders.org.

Both?  If you’re planning your tri schedule, here’s what is on tap in the next few months:

• Saturday, March 28: Escape from Fort Desoto Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon, plus Aqua Bike (https://www.thunderboltmultisport.com/Events/Escape-From-Ft-Desoto)
• Sunday, April 26: St. Anthony’s Triathlon, sprint and Olympic distances, St. Petersburg (https://satriathlon.com)
• Saturday, May 30: Sarasota Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon, Siesta Key (trisarasota.com).
• Sunday, June 7: Naples Fitness Challenge reverse triathlon, Naples (http://www.thefitnesschallengetriathlon.com)
• Saturday, June 13: Heartland Triathlon, sprint and Olympic triathlon, duathlon and Aqua Bike, Sebring (runsignup.com)

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RIDE:

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

# # #

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. 

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.

Your mistake, my problem

BikeWalkLee Column
The News-Press, 8/30/2018
by Ken Gooderham

This week, we’re going to make some amends:

To the guy driving the pickup truck on Crystal Drive: I’m sorry the cyclist pulled in front of your moving vehicle and, when you hit the horn after slamming on your brakes, responded with a rude one-handed gesture rather than thanking you for not running him over.

To the line of vehicles on Captiva Drive one recent weekday morning: I’m sorry those three cyclists were riding side-by-side-by-side slowly up the island in a “No Passing” area, rather than riding in a line that would have easy to pass safely (and legally).

And to the motorists on West First Street in downtown Fort Myers: I’m sorry you had to stop, swerve and (probably) swear at the cyclist weaving through traffic who was too engrossed in some cell-phone conversation that he did not have the time to either pay attention to his fellow vehicles OR keep his hands on the handlebars while pedaling (erratically) down the street.

Why the apologies? Well, even though I did not commit any of these offenses, as a cyclist I will eventually be held responsible for them… because each of those drivers sped away from those incidents with a new disrespect (or at least distrust) for cyclists in general.

It’s only human nature… stupid actions by one individual tend to be projected onto the larger group. Since there’s an almost innate distrust of cyclists by some drivers already, one bad action by one bad actor only serves to confirm the existing enmity. And if the driver generally has (had) a positive view of pedalers, that one bad interaction will linger in the memory for a while, until savvy cyclists act in sufficiently sane ways to erase that error.

I can’t blame them, frankly. When on a bicycle, I hold the same view of motor vehicle drivers: The default defense is they are all out to get me, so I ride accordingly and am pleasantly surprised when drivers end up doing the right thing on the roadway. But I never assume that driver is going to not stop in the crosswalk, or will not open their car door when I’m riding, or any number of actions that will put me at risk (intentionally or inadvertently).

Because I also know that any one of those drivers could assume I’m going to do something stupid that they will have to react to in order to avoid a collision… because some other cyclist on some other roadway did exactly that.

So, to all the boneheaded bicyclists who ignore the rules of the road, common sense and even their own self-preservation: Knock it off.

You’re putting yourself at unnecessary risk, and you’re giving the rest of us cyclists a bad reputation. Worst of all, you’re giving motor vehicle drivers an easy excuse to view all bicyclists by your bad actions… and we want them to share the road with us cyclists, not view us all as an enemy who must be driven back to the sidewalks where we belong. (We’re not, and we don’t.)

And the rest of you cylists? Remember to ride right… because any stupid mistake one of us makes, all of us end up having to live with.

Ready to ride or run?

Run?  It may be too hot to run for most, but the hardier harriers can get up early for a Labor Day 5K on Monday, Sept. 3, kicking off at 7 a.m. at Lowdermilk Park in Naples (gcrunner.org). Otherwise, hang on until October, when the fall race season kicks off.

Ride? Critical Mass rides ahead include the Cape Coral ride Friday night, the downtown Fort Myers night ride on Sept. 7, and the Sanibel night ride on Sept. 8. Lights required for night rides, helmets recommended for all; details at http://www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/. Looking for a longer ride? Look east to Sebring, for three days of riding and camaraderie for all skills over the Labor Day weekend Saturday-Monday, Sept. 1-3 (caloosariders.org). You can also join the no-drop Wakey, Wakey! Sunday morning ride leaving from Fort Myers Trek. 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.

Both? Upcoming events include:

• Saturday, Sept. 8: Venice Sprint Triathlon, Sharkey’s on the Pier, Venice (active.com)
• Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 15-16: Galloway Captiva Tri, with the kids’ events (three age groups) Saturday and the sprint tri Sunday. (captivatri.org)
• Saturday, Sept. 22: (“The Original”) Siesta Key Sprint Triathlon, Siesta Key (trifind.com) 
• Sunday, Nov. 18: Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon, sprint and Olympic tris, sprint and Olympic duathlon. Longboat Key Club & Resort (longboatkeytriathlon.com)

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RIDE:

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

# # #

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.