When it’s May, it’s time to get your bicycle on

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 4/26/17
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

May is National Bike Month.

Of course, airing-up your tires and hopping on your bike is always an option any time of the year.

March is Florida Bike Month, designated a few years back in order to take advantage of the weather and as a way to get folks out of cars when much of the state is dealing with serious traffic congestion created by tourists and snowbirds.

But National Bike Month still reigns supreme, even considering the intense heat we usually experience this time of year. It’s been taking place since 1956 so has a long established history. Local annual events taking place include:

• Schools are signing-on for Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 10 (walkbiketoschool.org).
• Bike to Work Week, May 15-19, with Bike to Work Day Friday, May 19 (keep an eye on bikewalklee.blogspot.com for related events).
• Ride of Silence, which honors those who died or were injured while on their bikes, on Wednesday May 17 (Fort Myers ride staging from Centennial Park and organized by Caloosa Riders; Sanibel ride staging from 1200 Periwinkle Way and organized by Sanibel Bike Club).
• Critical Mass/Slow Roll rides happen four to five times each month and in different parts of Lee County. Organizers say these rides are for “cyclists young and old, casual and competitive. We come together to enjoy riding bikes and sharing good times. Fun socials and well organized group bike rides in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel Island, northeast Fort Myers, Estero and LaBelle. All riders ride at their own risk. Rules of the road apply.” Distances range from six miles for the Saturday morning family ride from near downtown Fort Myers to 10-15 miles for other rides, all moving along at 10-12 mph. See www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL for a full listing of each ride and all the details.
• Our area’s longest established bike club, Caloosa Riders, conducts group rides every day except Mondays and Fridays. Routes cover many parts of Lee County, from the islands to deep inland. Distances vary from 15 miles to over 40 miles and riding speeds vary as well. Anyone is welcome but joining the club is highly encouraged (membership fees are very reasonable).
• Now that season is behind us it’s possible to actually enjoy Sanibel Island’s pathway system again. Sanibel Bike Club (sbcsite.altervista.org), an organization I believe to be the driving force behind the island being a Silverlevel Bike Friendly Community, hosts a Saturday morning ride each week.
• A number of gated and manufactured home communities have their own bike clubs. If yours is among them and you haven’t joined them for a ride, May is the time to do so.
• Many of our local bike shops host rides or are the staging location for them. Dates and times change with the season but those I was able to confirm include Trek Bicycle Stores (trekbicyclestoreusa.com) in Fort Myers and Estero; Fort Myers Schwinn (schwinncyclery.com) in Fort Myers; Coastline Cyclery (coastlinecyclery.com) in Fort Myers; Bike Bistro (thebikebistro.com) in the Iona area; EA Bicycles (eabicycle.com) also in the Iona area (it organizes mountain bike rides locally and out of town); JRA Bikes (find on Facebook) in North Fort Myers; and Paradise/Go Girl Cycling (gogirlcycling.com) in Fort Myers.

While on the topic of bike shops I’d like to encourage anyone who is thinking of purchasing a new bike to keep in mind a few things when making a decision.

First off, let me state that I have no financial interest in any bike shop and my comments are purely based on personal experience and in the interest in promoting the use of bikes for transportation, fun and exercise.

In almost all cases, new bikes come unassembled so one of the biggest advantages of purchasing from a bike shop versus a big-box store is that an experienced bike mechanic will be assembling your bike.

That means it will be put together properly (not by someone who just assembled a barbecue grill a few minutes earlier) and if there’s a problem they’ll fix it, something big-box stores can’t really do. You’ll also be steered to the right bike for your needs and be properly fitted. And while you can find bikes costing thousands of dollars in most bike shops they also have a selection at very reasonable and competitive prices.

When asked where to go to buy a bike or for service I always suggest first visiting the store closest to where you live or work. If you’re unimpressed or otherwise not happy with the merchandise or attitude, go to another.¦
 
- 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. 

How you can celebrate National Bike Month

BWL Column
The News-Press, 4/27/2017
by Ken Gooderham

Whether it’s around the block or around the county,
get out and enjoy the cycling pleasures of Southwest
Florida.(Photo: NEWS-PRESS STAFF)

May is National Bike Month… so what should you do to celebrate it?

Well, the obvious thing is to go for a bike ride (as if you needed an excuse). Whether it’s around the block or around the county, get out and enjoy the cycling pleasures of Southwest Florida.

Perhaps, to celebrate the month, look for a new route or two to liven your saddle time up a little. Try the Tour de Parks route south of Fort Myers, any of the many routes in Cape Coral or the island bike paths on Sanibel. Or download a copy of the bike facilities map for your area – Lee County at leempo.com, Collier County at colliermpo.com, or both at bikewalklee.org – and map out your own ride route.

Maybe it’s time to upgrade your ride. Head to your local bike shop and see what new choices are out there. If you end up finding your new dream bike, don’t forget to donate your old bike to one of the local groups who rehab and repurpose bikes for those who need them.

Perhaps you just need to show your current ride a little love… head to that same bike shop for a thorough maintenance, some overdue repairs, or just to see what equipment you might want to add.

It’s getting warmer, so if you’re working to escape the heat an early-morning or early evening ride may be your preference… and some lights front and back to enhance your visibility would be prudent.

Speaking of safety, this could be a good time to check your bike helmet to see how old it is. There’s a sticker on the inside with the date of manufacture (and if it’s wore to illegibility, then assume it’s too old). Helmets lose some of their protective value after five years, so see if it’s time for a new one.

The Fort Myers Ride of Silence is
Wednesday, May 17, starting at
7 p.m. from Centennial Park in
downtown Fort Myers.

Upcoming events

There usually are events to honor the month, another good option for involvement. The Fort Myers Ride of Silence is Wednesday, May 17, starting at 7 p.m. from Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers. Sanibel’s ride is the same day and time, beginning from Matzaluna Italian Kitchen, 1220 Periwinkle Way.

Also, May 10 is National Walk & Bike to School Day, and May 19 is National Bike to Work Day… two more options to celebrate cycling.

 

Join in

Finally, you can support local cycling… join a local bike club or advocacy group, support your local bike retailers, contact your elected officials (depending on where you live) either to thank them for improving bike facilities or berate them for not doing enough to ensure safe cycling.

If nothing else, take a minute to remember why cycling is worth celebrating:

• It’s healthy, a great way to bring a little physical activity into your day.
• It save money, by keeping  your more expensive vehicles parked in the garage at for a trip or two.
• It’s good for the environment, lessening pollution and your carbon footprint.
• It build community, by letting you see your neighborhood at a pace that allows you to enjoy it.
• Mostly, though, it’s fun… something we all could use more of, I’m sure.

Keeping it clean

Need more reason to get outside and walk, bike or run? How about healthy air?

The American Lung Association’s “State of the Air” report came out April 19, and the Fort Myers/Naples metro area was just one of six in the nation that did not report a single day of unhealthy pollution. Can I get a big inhale for that!

On the other end of the scale, California cities took six of the top 10 “worst short-term pollution” slots, with Bakersfield with the worst ranking. California metro areas also were the worst for overall year-round pollution and ozone pollution.

Want to celebrate our fresh air? One way could be to join the Fight for Air Climb this Saturday (April 29) at Oasis Tower One, 3000 Oasis Grand Blvd., Fort Myers. Info at action.lung.org.

Ready to ride or run?

Run? This weekend is the Head/Neck Cancer 5K at Hammond Stadium (3dracinginc.com), followed next weekend by the Seahawk Sprint 5K (Cape Coral High School, 3dracinginc.com) on Saturday and the Tropicool 5K (Naples, gcrunner.org) on Sunday. Head out to Lovers Key May 13 for the Turtle Trot 5K (ftmyerstrackclub.com).

Ride? Critical Mass rides tomorrow night (Cape Coral), Saturday (starter ride in Fort Myers), May 5 (downtown Fort Myers), May 12 (Northeast Lee) and May 13 (Sanibel). All are at night (except for the Saturday starter ride), so bring your lights (and helmet); details at http://www.meetup.com/Biking-SWFL/events/.

Both? Sign up for the Cape Coral Sprint Tri on May 13 (capecoral.net), or the Fitness Challenge Reverse Tri in Naples June 14 (thefitnesschallengetriathlon.com). Also, registration opens May 1 for the Galloway Captiva Tri Sept. 9-10… spaces are limited, so don’t miss out.


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, tax collector to host cycling seminars

Save the date: March 21 (Fort Myers) and March 23 (Cape Coral) 

 

The Lee County Tax Collector Office, in partnership with BikeWalkLee, will host a pair of cycling safety and information seminars this week.

Dan Moser, of BikeWalkLee (bikewalklee.blogspot.org), will be available to answer questions and provide information on bike maps and safety, as well as talk on the basics of safe bike riding routes, sharing the road and the importance of always having the proper visible safety equipment.

The sessions are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 21 at the Fort Myers branch of the tax collector office, 2480 Thompson St., and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 23 at the Cape Coral branch, 1039 SE 9th Ave.

Moser, long-time bicycle/pedestrian advocate and traffic safety professional, will conduct the events at the entrance of each of the locations.

“Most bicycling accidents involving kids can be avoided by following simple road rules and having visible safety equipment,” says Cape Coral Police Department  PAO Phil Mullen, who recently partnered with LCTC and FDOT at Christa McAuliffe Charter Elementary School in Cape Coral for a bicycle safety presentation to third, fourth and fifth graders.

Visit the Tax Collector locations, or SafeKids.org for tips to avoid bicycle related injury or death.

Get out and enjoy Florida Bike Month

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 3/15/17 
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

We’re already halfway through March so if you haven’t been on your bike much lately it’s time to get out there and enjoy one of the best times of the year to do so. In fact, Florida Bicycle Association (floridabicycle.org) thinks the timing is so good they have been able to convince the governor’s office to designate March as Florida Bicycle Month annually for about a decade. And considering how thick Southwest Florida’s motor traffic is — and will be until at least Easter — getting around by bike is practical as well as fun.

Designating March as Florida Bike Month (we still celebrate National Bike Month) serves a number of purposes, one being the previously mentioned fact that at this time of year much of the state experiences overloaded roadways so it serves as a congestion management option. Another is because the month of May — when National Bike Month occurs — is generally so hot that it’s difficult to get any new riders out there more than once, if that. Most experienced and dedicated cyclists know how to acclimate and adjust accordingly, which goes for the rest of the summer as well, even with thunderstorms being daily threats. But, understandably, those just getting back to biking may not be too enthused about dealing with Florida’s blistering heat in May.

This ghost bike was located on the Sanibel Causeway for a
while. Photo: Dan Moser

Both Florida Bike Month and National Bike Month also focus on education and awareness. For cyclists, that means taking time to become familiar with and complying with the rules of the road and pathways as well as learning safe cycling techniques.

The American Bicycling Education Association (abea.bike) is an excellent resource for that information. Motorists, too, are reminded of what rights cyclists have, what responsibilities anyone behind the wheel has, and are encouraged to be patient with all fellow road users, whether they be other drivers or vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Stay Alive…Just Drive! (sajd.org) is an excellent resource that isn’t just about the “usual message” for safe driving.

Along with education and awareness efforts, some of our governments are doing a better job than others in improving conditions for non-motorists, making it easier for everyone to share space.

One of them, Cape Coral, a Bike-Friendly Community as designated by League of American Bicyclists (bikeleague.org), has recently been awarded Florida Bicycle Association’s Bike-Friendly Community of the Year for 2016, and continues to get the safety message out thanks to an excellent working relationship between the city, Cape Coral Bike-Ped and local businesses. Sanibel (a Silver-Level Bike Friendly Community), is a model for pathway-focused infrastructure and has ongoing safety awareness efforts taking place, thanks to a partnership between the city, Sanibel Bike Club and the island’s bike rental businesses. Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers Beach are also moving in the right direction so I’d like to recognize them for their efforts during this year’s Florida Bike Month.

Something that’s not related to bike month but is used to raise awareness year round are ghost bikes. A ghost bike is a bike painted a ghostly white — including tires, seat and handlebars — and is usually placed near where a cyclist lost his or her life in a traffic crash. Similar to the “Drive Safely” markers placed along our roadways to indicate where someone was killed in a motor vehicle crash, the intent is not to scare anyone off the road but rather to memorialize the victim and make passersby aware of the need to operate safely.

As part of Florida Bike Month’s education and awareness efforts you may want to visit Lee County Constitutional Plaza in Fort Myers (AKA Darth Vader building, which includes the Tax Office and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, among others) on Tuesday, March 21, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you’re in the Cape it’s happening on Thursday, March 23, same hours, at the Tax Office there (1039 SE 9th Ave., behind Cape Coral City Hall). I’ll be there to answer questions, take your comments and will have bike maps and other information you may find helpful.

Be sure to visit BikeWalkLee’s blog (bikewalklee.blogspot.org) for advocacy news and active-living events happening around Lee County and Southwest Florida, including all of the upcoming Critical Mass rides throughout Lee County and beyond. ¦



- 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.

BWL Column: Join Ride of Silence on May 18

May is National Bike as well as the annual Ride of Silence On May 18th, a time to remember those injured or killed while biking and to raise awareness about cyclist safety.

News-Press article May 11th

It's May, National Bike Month … which means events focusing on two-wheeled endeavors.

There’s National Bike to Work Week on May 16-20, Bike to Work Day on May 20, and two local Ride of Silence events on Wednesday, May 18, to honor fallen cyclists and promote road safety.

The Ride of Silence is a worldwide event, with almost all U.S. states participating as well as 22 other countries. These 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 10 years in a row. In 2014, eight cyclists were killed in Lee County crashes; in 2015, four cyclists were killed; and in 2016 to date, there has been one.

In memorializing injured and killed cyclists, the Ride of Silence seeks to draw motorists’ attention to a 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 on May 18:

Fort Myers Ride of Silence: Sponsored by the Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club. Arrive by 6:45 p.m., ride begins promptly at 7 p.m. from Centennial Park, 2000 West First Street, Fort Myers. Cyclists will ride in a silent, funeral-style procession at 10-12 mph for 8 miles to honor those who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Riders are requested to wear black arm bands (or red if they have personally been injured in a cycling versus motor vehicle crash). No registration necessary, no charge. Helmets are required, and no headphones. For further details, email: ros@caloosariders.org

Sanibel Ride of Silence: Sponsored by the Sanibel Bicycle Club in partnership with Matzaluna Restaurant and Billy's Bikes. Riders are encouraged to arrive at 6:30 p.m. at Matzaluna Restaurant (1200 Periwinkle Way). Safety vests, water, and air for tires will be available. At 7 p.m. promptly the ride will leave Matzaluna's, down Periwinkle Way to the Sanibel Causeway. The ride will cross over the first two 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, call 395-1695.

-- 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

National Bike Challenge

May 1 was also the kickoff for the National Bike Challenge, a way for individuals, teams, workplaces and more to log their bike miles from now to the end of September.

It’s the brainchild of PeopleForBikes, a group working to make bicycling better for everyone by uniting millions of riders, thousands of businesses and hundreds of communities to create a powerful, united voice for bicycling and its benefits.

In its simplest form, the Challenge is an online logging center for users to record miles ridden and compete with other riders all over the country, either entering your mileage manually or using one of the Challenge apps.

It doesn’t matter if you’re riding hundreds of miles a week or just getting back in the saddle, you are welcome in the National Bike Challenge. Check it out online at nationalbikechallenge.org.

Ready to ride or run?

Run: This weekend, you can support Lovers Key (Turtle Trot 5K, ftmyerstrackclub.com). Next weekend, you can support fallen or injured police officers (Cape Cops 5K, ftmyerstrackclub.com) or music at Cape Coral High School (Seahawk Sprint for Music 5K, 3dracing.com).

Ride: Two Critical Mass rides ahead: Friday it’s Northeast Lee which gathers at 7:15 p.m. for an 8 p.m. roll out at the Winn-Dixie, 14600 Palm Beach Blvd. Saturday, it’s the Sanibel ride which gathers at 7:15 p.m. for a 7:45 p.m. roll out at Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, on Sanibel. For both lights are required and helmets recommended.

Both: On Saturday, it’s the Cape Coral Yacht Club Sprint  (capeparks.com or active.com)… or you can register and get ready for one of the raft of races coming up. Kids, hone your tri skills at a Triathlon Kids Camp with Coach Angie Ferguson. It’s offered Saturdays, June 4-25, for ages 6-13 at the Cypress Lake Pool, Fort Myers (active.com).

#BeSeenLee

#BeSeenLee: To keep people safe at night while biking, we’re working to provide free bike lights to those unable to afford them (but who have to ride at night). BikeWalkLee partners (including Pawnbroker Marketing and Billy's Bikes) will be coordinating events during this campaign. Be sure to watch the BikeWalklee Facebook and Twitter pages for more #BeSeenLee event announcements and details.

Honoring those we love - Ride of Silence

It's that time of year again, when we take a moment to honor and remember the cyclists who have lost their lives on our roads. Among those we are honoring this year, is Jim Chelius. The family and friends of Jim Chelius have made road safety his lasting legacy through supporting BikeWalkLee and the #BeSeen Safety Movement - Bike Lights.

Almost $2,000 in donations to the #BeSeen Bike Lights campaign have been made in memory of Jim. These donations will help BikeWalkLee and their community partners buy and distribute bike lights to vulnerable road users (details forthcoming, but keep an eye out around the time change this fall!).

Jim Chelius

To learn more about the #BeSeen Safety Movement - Bike Lights campaign check out our earlier blog on it written by the campaign's champion, Cindy Banyai. Donations to the campaign are still being accepted through the campaign's GoFundMe page -- a $25 donation will buy 10 bike lights and keep people safer on our streets.

Everyone is invited to participate in the Ride of Silence. You can find more information on that below:

Wednesday, May 20: Ride of Silence, to honor cyclists killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Leaves at 7 p.m. from Centennial Park, 2000 West First Street, Fort Myers. Riders are requested to wear black armbands, or red if they have personally been injured in a cycling vs. motor vehicle accident. Free, no registration necessary. Also the Sanibel Bicycle Club, in collaboration with Billy's Bikes and Matzaluna Restaurant, has organized a ride from Sanibel, leaving from the Matzaluna Restaurant (1200 Periwinkle Way) over the Causeway bridges and back. Arrive at 6:15 for a pre-event, with ride starting at 7 p.m.  Both are free, no registration necessary.

County Commissioners declare May Bike Month

At the May 19th meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, the Board declared May Bike Month. BPAC members were on hand to receive the proclamation.  Chairman Mayne spoke on behalf of the committee and urged the Board to support the committee's request for additional funds for bike/ped retrofit projects.

BPAC members (L to R): Keith Kibbey, Pat Connor, Don Mayne (chair), and Al Ciacalone

Dan Moser Column: May is National Bike Month

Dan's column this week reviews the many activities in our area during May in celebration of National Bike Month.

Yes, it’s hot, hot, hot in May. But riding a bike is one outdoor physical activity that’s fairly tolerable when the heat and humidity reach Southwest Florida’s excruciating summertime levels. And although Florida’s official Bike Month is technically designated as March, the fact is that the majority of Bike Month activities take place throughout the state in May each year, in conjunction with the rest of the country during National Bike Month.

To kick things off in style, our area’s popular first-Friday ride, known as SWFL Critical Mass, leaves at 7:30 p.m. on May 1, from the empty lot next to First Street Village Publix, between McGregor and First Street in Fort Myers’ River District. According to organizers, SWFL Critical Mass rides are brightly-lit, family-oriented, safe and fun events. The rules of the road are safety and courtesy to all others — other riders and those we share the road with or pass by. The group ride rolls through downtown and around the Edison historic district at speeds of 8-10 mph for a total of about 11 miles with a 10-minute break at Edison restaurant at Fort Myers Country Club. Bike lights are required and helmets highly recommended. You’ll find more info on Facebook by searching for “SWFLcriticalmass” or swflcriticalmass.wordpress.com

Next up is Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 6. At least seven schools in Lee County are participating in some way. Similar to October’s Walk to School Day, this event is intended to spark interest among families in having students ride their bikes to school or the bus stop. Based on the empty bike racks that are common at almost every school in Lee County there’s a lot of room for improvement in terms of getting parents to forego chauffeuring their children and instead allow them some independence while lowering the number of cars creating havoc around our schools. That unnecessary congestion is one of the reasons parents say makes them reluctant to let their kids ride a bike or walk to school. So the more cars removed from the student drop-off and pick-up lines the better.

CycloFemme is something fairly new to the Bike Month mix and happens on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10. The website, cyclofemme.com, describes it in the following way: “Our annual Mother’s Day ride unites riders, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or bicycle preference to share in the joy of cycling. Year round, our global community inspires and empowers other women, by making their passion public and the joy in cycling contagious. In our first year, 163 rides were registered in 14 countries with many others joining in to celebrate in their own special way. By our third, we grew to 303 rides in 25 countries, including participation from Bicycle Share programs in three metropolitan areas to reduce the barrier of owning a bike. Ride with us as we Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Empower the Future of Women in Cycling.” While there’s nothing listed for events happening in Southwest Florida, anyone can plan a ride and post it on his or her website.

The month then gets into high gear with Bike to Work Week, May 11-15, with May 15 being National Bike to Work Day. Whether you’ve tried commuting in the past or are thinking about it, the League of American Bicyclists provides tips to make the journey practical and enjoyable at bikeleague.org/content/commuting. For some it might mean having real options in getting to work, at least some of the time. My next column, which publishes that Wednesday, will include details of any commuter-related events that may be happening on Friday.

Finally, the annual Ride of Silence, honoring those who were killed or injured while riding their bikes, takes place on Wednesday, May 20. In Fort Myers, the ride begins in Centennial Park at 7 p.m. It’s a ride we’d all rather not have to host, but, unfortunately, that’s never the case because there are always friends and relatives who have met that fate and deserve to be honored. We’ll ride at a slow pace (10-12 mph) and keep talking to a minimum, as the name implies. Visit rideofsilence.org for more on our ride and others happening around our area and throughout the world. Remember, too, that you can learn more about this and many other important community matters at bikewalklee.blogspot.com.

Until next time, I’ll look for you on the roads and pathways. ¦

Upcoming Events

>> Running/Walking:

Run for Kayla 5K, Saturday, May 2, Patriot School, Cape Coral (3dracinginc.com)

Turtle Trot 5K, Saturday, May 9, Lovers Key Park, Fort Myers Beach (ftmyerstrackclub.com)

>> Cycling and other events:

Ride for Literacy, Saturday, May 18, Immokalee (caloosariders.org)

SWFL Critical Mass, Friday, May 1, downtown Fort Myers (swflcriticalmass.wordpress.com)

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

Governor Scott proclaims March Florida Bicycle Month

March is Bike Month in Florida and Governor Scott issued the following proclamation.

BikeWalkLee: Ditch the car, enjoy the ride

 Last month we asked our BikeWalkLee network and column readers to tell us about their ride...and in today's column, we're sharing with you one of the stories we received.  Thank you, Logan for taking us along for your ride to work from  South Fort Myers to Sanibel! [Note: Photos in blog by Logan Tennant (not room in NP article for inclusion.]  Do you 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 we can feature it in an upcoming column.

 News-Press "Go Coastal" Section, BikeWalkLee Column, May 29, 2014
 

Logan Tennant

As we come to the end of National Bicycle Month, we face another opportunity to extol the virtues of making biking a regular part of your life. But rather than the litany of all the good things being on a bicycle can do for you, we offer a first-person account from Logan Tennant, who got out of her car and into a daily adventure:

It's a beautiful day, late December. How lucky am I to be living in Fort Myers and working on the beautiful island of Sanibel? After a great day at work I'm ready to get home, go for a walk, hop on my paddleboard or go for a long nice bike ride. I get in my car, head out to Periwinkle Way and into stopped traffic. It takes me an hour and 10 minutes to drive the eight miles to get home. As I'm sitting in traffic I say to myself, "Nope, this is not gonna work for me."

View from the bridge

 So I decide to bike it from now on.

Biking by the Causeway islands

At first, I looked at this biking thing as a way to get to work and to get my workout in. But it became so much more. As I head out every morning, I'm excited about what I will encounter on the way to work and on the way home.

People often say to me, "Oh, you have to cross that bridge" — like it's a bad thing. My answer is always, "No, I get to cross that wonderful bridge." It is so beautiful! I have seen so many dolphins, swimming and playing I have lost count. There was a dolphin that was under the second bridge every night for four days, same spot doing somersaults. He would go round and round — it was so fun to watch him play.

Then there was the osprey I watched dive to the water and catch a huge fish. I watched as he would put such power in his wings to lift that fish; he worked so hard, I was sure he would let it go. But as I watched him, he skimmed along the water's surface, and slowly he rose higher and higher until he was on his way across the water above me. What a beautiful sight — and I saw it all from my bike.

Dolphins playing as Logan cycles by

I have seen manatees come to the water's surface and just float — and again I think to myself, "I am so lucky." As I bike many nights after work, I am on one of the bridges and I have a partner flying next to me, at eye level, gliding along with me — no fear, just peace between us. It's a beautiful pelican; I have seen all the colors in his feathers as they glisten in the sun.

I have seen sharks, stingrays, dolphins, manatees, ospreys, pelicans, and fishermen hauling in some big fish, all out in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. All atop this wonderful bridge called the causeway, all on my bike.

I have watched the water change from a dark blue to a beautiful aqua blue, have seen the winds lift the water up making whitecaps and waves. I have seen color in the sky, the kites from kite boarders soaring, flipping, skimming across the water. And the view atop the tall bridge — breathtaking.

As the sun is setting its rays hit a building and the reflection from the windows hits the water, I can't begin to describe how this really looks. All I can say is it is incredible. I can see for what seems like forever from atop that bridge. I see how the water changes as it gets deep or shallow, I see dolphins swimming everywhere -- all on my bike. And again I think to myself, "I am so lucky."

View of the Pine Island Sound from the bridge

I am sitting at the light at my turn, I'm almost home. I see a co-worker sitting in her car, waiting for the red light to turn green. I look over at her with no stress and a big smile on my face; I raise my hand and make a peace sign with my fingers as I pedal my way across Summerlin Road giggling to myself. Because I know she left 15 minutes before me and has been sitting in traffic, while I had a great adventure — as I do every time I cross the causeway.

BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County—streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities. Information, statistics and background online at BikeWalkLee.org.

Upcoming events
Running/walking:
• Saturday, June 7: Fort Myers Track Club Membership Run, Hammond Stadium, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers. Age 19-plus, $20; under 19, $12; families, $40. Registration 6:30 a.m., run 7:30 a.m. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)

Cycling & other events:
• Sunday, July 6: Wheels and Wings V Bicycle Ride. 62/32/15 mile rides and a 10-mile gentlemen's mass start race within the 62-mile route. Speed Trap Alley — break the speed limit and receive a written warning from Punta Gorda Police, suitable for framing. Mystery Ride for the 15-milers. Beef O'Bradys 1105 Taylor Road, Punta Gorda. $30 includes ride, SAG stops, T-shirt, 10 Wings and two drinks (peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com)

Triathlons:
• Sunday, June 1: 28th annual Fitness Challenge Reverse Triathlon. Run/bike/swim, sprint distance. The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd., Naples. $95 individuals, $180 teams. (thefitnesschallengetriathlon.com)
• Saturday, July 19: Englewood YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Englewood Beach, 2100 N. Beach Road, Englewood. 7 a.m. start. $70 individuals, $140 teams to June 9. (http://www.southcountyfamilyymca.org)
• Sept. 13-14: Registration is now open for the fourth annual Galloway Captiva Tri weekend. Saturday is the kids' day with three age groups (6-8, 9-10 and 11-13) enjoying the fun of multisports. Sunday, the adults take to the water and roadways in a sprint triathlon (swim/bike/run) covering all of Captiva Island. Spaces are limited for all events, so register now – no waiting lists this year. Information at www.captivatri.org.
• Sunday, Oct. 5: Marco Island Triathlon 2014, Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, 400 South Collier, Marco Island. 8 a.m. start $85 individuals, $160 teams (http://www.thefitnesschallengetriathlon.com)

Bike Month winding down, but the need for bike safety remains

Today's blog post from the US DOT Secretary's Office has lots of good reminders as we close out Bike Month, worth sharing with the BikeWalkLee network.

May 28, 2014:  Posted by Todd Solomon

As many Fast Lane readers know, May is --among other things-- Global Youth Traffic Safety Month. Earlier here in the Fast Lane, we blogged about efforts to teach teen drivers how to share the road safely with commercial trucks and buses. But May is also National Bike Month, and we want to make sure that those riding bicycles stay safe.

The fact is, there are more and more bicyclists on America's roads these days. We think that's a good thing for the health and pocketbooks of riders and for local air quality and businesses. But at the same time, we've seen an increase in the number of bicyclists killed in crashes, so we've got a lot of bike safety work ahead.

Fortunately, we get a lot of help from safety organizations around the country. They have worked to educate people about appropriate safety measures. For example, the Marin County Bike Coalition (MCBC) and WalkBike Marin have put together a Share The Road guide that asks drivers as well as bicyclists to "Be safe and courteous."

That's sound advice because safety is a mutual responsibility. It might start with the law, but it requires more than that from all of us. Bicyclists can work harder to stay out of drivers' blind spots and be more predictable when changing lanes or going through intersections. And drivers can work harder to be more observant in areas where bicycles may be present –and nowadays, that's everywhere.

That’s why the Marin County flyer offer codes of conduct for drivers and bicyclists that are based on common sense and respect.

That's also why the “Roll Model” campaign from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages everyone to model safe behaviors that enhance the safety of all road users. Whether you're a motorist or bicyclist, a parent, grandparent, adult, or youth, you can be a "Roll Model" to decrease the risks of traffic crashes and preventable injuries and deaths. NHTSA invites you to adopt this campaign as your own to engage adults, teens, and young people to do the right--safe!--thing when riding or driving.

DOT organizations like NHTSA and the Federal Highway Administration also have a wealth of safety information available for young bicyclists and their parents. And there's no time like the beginning of summer--when kids will soon be out in force on two wheels--for parents to let kids know how to make themselves safer.

From always wearing a helmet to staying focused to obeying the rules of the road, NHTSA's "Roll Model" campaign has bike safety covered. And the League of American Bicyclists' education website has valuable resources for adult bicyclists wanting to Ride Smart.

For parents and educators looking for bike safety teaching tools, the FHWA's Bicycle Safer Journey site offers lessons that are geared to three different age groups from 5 to 18. And Shape America (from the Society of Health and Physical Educators) has a very thorough Bikeology curriculum.
Finally, NHTSA offers a great Safety Pledge for parents to sign in front of their kids—there’s one for kids, too—so they understand that you take safety seriously.

No matter how you get where you’re going this month, and every month, we want readers to know that safety is no accident.

News-Press: Biking to work is a growing trend

Nice article by News-Press about biking to work in Lee County, with interviews with LeeDOT's Andy Getch (who bikes to work), BWL's Dan Moser, and others.  Take the poll:  Poll: Would you consider riding a bike to work? AND give biking to work a try!

Transportation experts say bicycle commuting will increase, with better roads, bridges the key

News-Press 5/24/14 by Laura Ruane, lruane@news-press.com

(Photo: AMANDA INSCORE/THE NEWS-PRESS)

Story Highlights

• U.S. Census surveys ask people what mode of transportation usually takes them to work.
• Nationally, the number of bike commuters rose from about 488,000 to 786,000 between 2000 and 2012.
• More than 3,000 people in Lee and Collier counties usually ride bicycles to their jobs.
• Exercise, money-saving, love of the outdoors and concern for the environment are among the reasons.

The emerald-green Kulana "Moondog" would look at home on Fort Myers Beach or on Sanibel's famed bike path.

But this nonmotorized, two-wheel beach cruiser frequents the streets of central and south Fort Myers, getting Jada Hill, 25, to her server's job at Famous Dave's barbecue.

A tight budget made her a bike commuter about three years ago, Hill said. When possible, she and Moondog ride part of the way on a LeeTran bus, so she pedals only about two miles one way. When it's not, the trip stretches to five miles or more.

"You get used to it," Hill said. She's proud to be able to get around on her own.

"It's my vehicle. Even when I could get a car ride, I don't wait on anybody. I grab my bike and go," Hill said, pausing at a LeeTran bus transfer station to talk with a reporter.

More two-wheeled traffic is joining Hill on area roads, according to a recently released U.S. Census Bureau report.

"Modes Less Traveled — Bicycling and Walking to Work in the United States," says survey data shows the number of people who travel to work by bicycle increased 61 percent, from about 488,000 in 2000 to an average of about 786,000 for the 2008-2012 period.

That's a bigger percentage increase than for any other commuting mode, according to the report.
And, although the number of bicycle commuters in Lee and Collier counties didn't grow by quite as much, the percentages of increase outpaced the growth rates in number of workers from 2000 to 2012.

Data analysis by the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida in Tampa shows:

• More than 3,000 people usually bicycle to work in Lee and Collier counties.
• Bicycle commuters increased by 56 percent in Collier County, while the total work force increased by 25 percent.
• Lee County workers who usually bicycle to work increased by 40 percent, while the worker total rose 33 percent.

 

Andy Getsch rides his bike on West First Street on his way to work in downtown Fort Myers on Thursday morning.(Photo: Amanda Inscore/news-press.com)

"In recent years, many communities have taken steps to support more transportation options, such as bicycling and walking," said Brian McKenzie, a Census Bureau sociologist and the national report's author. "For example, many cities have invested in bike share programs, bike lanes and more pedestrian-friendly streets."

Bicyclists still account for just 0.6 percent of all commuters; however, some of the nation's largest cities have more than doubled their rates since 2000. Portland, Ore.'s bicycle-commuting rate is 6.1 percent, up from 1.8 percent in 2000. In Minneapolis, the rate increased from 1.9 percent to 4.1 percent.

In Lee County, bicyclists comprised eight-tenths of a percent of all commuters in a 2008-2012 rolling average. Collier County, with an almost nine-tenths of a percent share, made it into Florida's top 10.
Numbers 1 and 2: Monroe County (think Key West); and Alachua County, home to the University of Florida.

"The Southwest Florida numbers are quite low. There's a lot of room for improvement," said Dan Moser, a bicycle/pedestrian/traffic safety consultant and a leader in the BikeWalkLee advocacy group.

Poll: Would you consider riding a bike to work?

 

Getsch prepares for his four-mile morning commute to work in downtown Fort Myers.(Photo: AMANDA INSCORE/THE NEWS-PRESS)

Growing trend
Still, Moser and others think the bike-to-work trend will grow.

At Just Riding Along near North Fort Myers end of the Edison Bridge, "We see quite a few people who ride (to work) out of choice," said store co-owner Arley Michel.

Michel estimated 20 percent of the people who buy bicycles from the shop intend to use them at least part of the time, for commuting to work or to school.

People opt for a bicycle commute for many reasons, including a desire to get more exercise, enjoy the outdoors, reduce environmentally harmful carbon emissions and cut transportation costs.

The most recent AAA study shows an average cost of more than $8,800 a year to own and operate a sedan, based on 15,000 miles of annual driving.

When Cape Coral resident Beatrice Galvin's daughter needed a car to commute to her job in Orlando, Galvin didn't hesitate to give up her car — and the monthly payments — to her daughter.

Galvin, who's in her 50s, rides about a mile from her home to Cape Coral City Hall, where she works in the finance department.

She pedals to work shortly after sunrise. Later, her husband, who works a midnight shift at B.J.'s Wholesale Club, drops off the couple's remaining car at City Hall, and pedals the bike home. Galvin gets the car back to their home in plenty of time for his nighttime work commute.

"I look at nature. I appreciate having the health to ride a bike to work," Galvin said.
Health is the main reason Andy Getch, 54, committed to riding his bicycle to work full time seven years ago.

"I wanted to build some regularly scheduled exercise into my daily routine," said Getch, an engineer and planning manager with Lee County Department of Transportation.

The route Getch favors winds its way through central Fort Myers about four miles, to his office in downtown. There's is one car at home. It comes in handy when Getch's wife picks him up during severe thunderstorms.

More people would commute to work if local roads were safer and easier for cyclists to use, said Moser, who bicycles almost everywhere.

Although bike lanes, signs and other street adaptations are increasing in Southwest Florida, "there is still a lot of disconnect," according to Moser.

More-experienced, confident cyclists will take to the road, which gets plenty congested with motor vehicle traffic during morning and evening rush-hours.

"I don't think any single bridge here is designed for cyclists or pedestrians," Moser said.

There have been improvements, though. Moser hailed the partnership between the city of Cape Coral and the nonprofit, all-volunteer Cape Coral Bike Ped group to help cyclists find the best routes around the city.

Said Moser: "By year-end, they'll have 90 miles of marked bike lanes, pathways and other bicyclist- and pedestrian-friendly routes."

And, although the number of bicycle commuters looks small; it doesn't tell the whole story, said Julie Bond, senior researcher at the Center for Urban Transportation Research.

Bond noted "the census asks people how they usually get to work, so part-time bicycle commuters may not be included."

AT A GLANCE
• The U.S. West had the highest rate of biking to work at 1.1 percent, and the South had the lowest rate at 0.3 percent.
• Among large cities, Portland, Ore., had the highest bicycle-commuting rate at 6.1 percent.
• The median commute time for those who bike to work was about 19.3 minutes.
• Men were more likely to bike to work than women were. The rate of bicycle commuting for men was more than double that of women, 0.8 percent compared with 0.3 percent.
• Those with a graduate or professional degree or higher and those with less than a high school degree had the highest rates of biking to work, at 0.9 and 0.7 percent, respectively.
• 1.5 percent of those with an income of $10,000 or less commuted to work by bicycle, the highest rate of bicycle commuting by any income category.
• African-Americans had the lowest rate of biking to work at 0.3 percent, compared with some other race or two or more races who had the highest rate at 0.8 percent.
SOURCE: "Modes Less Traveled—Bicycling and Walking to Work in the United States 2008-2012"

Florida Top 10 Bike Commutes

BikeWalkLee Column: A month to celebrate, a night to remember

 BWL's column highlights National Bike Month with the benefits of bicycling and an invite to participate in the Ride of Silence on May 21st.

 BikeWalkLee's Column in News-Press "Go Coastal"  May 15, 2014

Since 1956, May has been recognized as National Bike Month. The third week in May is designated Bike to Work Week, and the third Friday of May (this year, May 16) is Bike to Work Day.
Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try.

Whether you bike to work or school, ride to save money or time, pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment, or simply love to explore your community, National Bike Month is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons people ride. If you've been missing in action for a while, this month is also a great opportunity to get back out for a ride and remember all the positive things that can come from bicycling, including:

Productivity
• Bicycle commuting is a great way to squeeze regular exercise into a hectic schedule. For a 180-pound man, a 10-mile round trip bike commute burns 400 calories. For a 130-pound woman, this same commute burns 300 calories.
• A study found that those who biked to work were fitter, leaner, less likely to be obese, and had better triglyceride levels, blood pressure and insulin levels than those who didn't active commute to work.
• More than 80 percent of bicycle commuters believe their health has improved since they started bicycle commuting. Plus, bike commuters report lower stress and greater feelings of freedom, relaxation, and excitement than car commuters.
• Employers in the community benefit from a healthy, active workforce, as well. Cyclists on average take 15 percent fewer days off from work for illness than noncyclists, and generally accomplish more work.
• Bicyclists are less likely to be affected by traffic congestion, too. Whether they ride on bike paths or roads, bicycles are much more maneuverable than automobiles.

Economic savings
• Bicycle commuting saves on parking fees, parking tickets, fuel costs, auto maintenance costs and transit fares. According to analysis by the League, Americans saved more than $4.6 billion by bicycling instead of driving in 2012 alone.
• The average annual operating expense of a bicycle is just $308, versus more than $8,000 for a car.
• Investing in bicycle infrastructure is cost effective, too. For $60 million — the cost of a single mile of urban highway — Portland, Ore., built a full citywide bicycle network.
• And biking is good for business, too. Research in multiple cities has shown that patrons arriving by bike visit more often and spend more money.
• Since the costs of employee parking sites are growing, many companies are looking for cheaper alternatives. It costs the same to build parking for 75 bikes as it does for just four cars!

Enviro benefit
• More bicycle use means a smaller carbon footprint. During the 2012 National Bike Challenge, Americans kept more than 13 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere by riding their bikes instead of driving their cars.
• Beyond carbon dioxide, cars are the single-largest source of U.S. air pollution. Short trips are up to three times more polluting per mile than long trips. When bicycling is substituted for short auto trips, 3.6 pounds of pollutants per mile are not emitted into the atmosphere.
• There are 800 million car parking spaces in the U.S., totaling 160 billion square feet of concrete and asphalt. Ten bikes can park in the space used by a single motor vehicle!

Ride of Silence

Ghost bike on Sanibel Causeway

But Bike Month also has a somber side: On May 21, at 7 p.m., the Ride of Silence will roll across the globe as cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.

The ride aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and local officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

The origin of the Ride of Silence dates from 2003 when Larry Schwartz, a U.S. nationally ranked endurance cyclist, was hit and killed by a passing bus. His close friend, Chris Phelan, organized the first ride in Dallas and thought the ride would be a one-time event. There was no registration, no fees, no T-shirt — yet this ride drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and emails over a period of 10 days.

Other cycling clubs expressed their interests to do the same in their communities and it has continually grown since the first ride. Last year, rides took place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 26 foreign countries.

The local Ride of Silence takes place 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, starting from Centennial Park on West First Street, traveling eight miles. The complete route will be announced at the start of the ride.

There's also a Ride of Silence on Sanibel, starting from the Sanibel Community Park at 2173 Periwinkle Way (next to the Community House); it will ride over two of the three Sanibel Causeway bridges, taking the loop under the high bridge to head back to Sanibel. This ride also convenes at 6:45 p.m. for a 7 p.m. start.

All that's needed to participate is a bike and a helmet (no headphones, please). Helmets are required and lights are recommended, but not required. Riders are requested to wear black arm bands or red if they have been injured in a cycling versus motor vehicle accident — and this ride is silent, so be ready to be quiet.

The ride is free of charge and no registration is necessary. Riders are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to the 7 p.m. start. For information, go to caloosariders.org/rosfm or send an email to ros@caloosariders.org.

The third week in May is designated Bike to Work Week.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

BikeWalkLee is a community coalition raising public awareness and advocating for complete streets in Lee County—streets that are designed, built, operated and maintained for safe and convenient travel for all users. Information, statistics and background at BikeWalkLee.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Running/walking
• Saturday, May 17: Cape Cops 5K, Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Park, 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral, 7:30 a.m. $25 in advance, $35 day of. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)
• Monday, May 26: Memorial Day 5K Run on the Green, Eastwood Golf Course, Fort Myers, 7:30 a.m. $20 in advance, $30 day of. (ftmyerstrackclub.com)

Cycling and other events
• Wednesday, May 21: Ride of Silence, 7 p.m. Centennial Park, 2000 West First Street, Fort Myers (under the Bridge at Heitman and Bay Streets). Cyclists will ride in a silent funeral-style procession at 10-12 mph for eight miles to honor those who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Riders are requested to wear black arm bands or red if they have been injured in a cycling versus motor vehicle accident. More details caloosariders.org/rosfm. Everyone welcome. Free of charge. No registration necessary.
• Sunday, July 6: Wheels and Wings V Bicycle Ride. 62/32/15 mile rides and a 10-mile gentlemen's mass start race within the 62-mile route. Speed Trap Alley -- break the speed limit and receive a written warning from Punta Gorda Police, suitable for framing. Mystery Ride for the 15 milers. Beef O'Bradys 1105 Taylor Road, Punta Gorda. $30 includes ride, SAG stops, T-shirt, 10 Wings and two drinks (peaceriverridersbicycleclub.com)

Triathlons
• Sunday, May 18: Lake Avalon Reverse Dualathon and Triathlon. Sugden Regional Park, Naples. Run/bike/swim or run/bike. $79 in advance, $99 day of, $119 teams (eliteevents.org/lake-avalon-reverse-duathlon-and-triathlon.html)
• Sunday, June 1: 28th annual Fitness Challenge Reverse Triathlon. Run/bike/swim, sprint distance. The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd., Naples. $95 individuals, $180 teams. (thefitnesschallengetriathlon.com)
• Sept. 13-14: Registration is now open for the fourth annual Galloway Captiva Tri weekend. Saturday is the kids' day with three age groups (6-8, 9-10 and 11-13) enjoying the fun of multisports. Sunday, the adults take to the water and roadways in a sprint triathlon (swim/bike/run) covering all of Captiva Island. Spaces are limited for all events, so register now – no waiting lists this year. Information at captivatri.org.

Note: Top two photos not included in News-Press article.

Lee County Commission Proclaims May Bike Month

At the May 6th BoCC meeting, the Board proclaimed May Bike Month.  

The County's Bike Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) attended the ceremony and Chairman Keith Kibbey and Ileana Sisson thanked the Board and County staff for their support for biking and walking in Lee County.  They stated that the county has  made a great deal of progress in the past five years.  Keith challenged the BoCC members to ride their bike to work this month, or to participate in the May 21st Ride of Silence, or the May 24th BikeWalkLee bike ride and audit.

BikeWalkLee thanks BPAC, LeeDOT staff, and the BoCC for their ongoing support of complete streets and for the progress that's been made over these past 5 years.  We especially appreciate the service of citizens who give of their time and talent to serve on BPAC and other committees throughout the community that are doing the hard work on an ongoing basis to ensure that complete streets and a more bike/ped friendly community are becoming a reality throughout our county.

Also at Tuesday's Board meeting, the Fiddlesticks community came out en mass in support of the Fiddlesticks pathway project that will begin the design and then construction of the project shortly. Kudos to Ben Bishop, who spoke in support of the project, on behalf of the Fiddlesticks community.  We can't wait for this project to be completed in 2015/16!

Also at the Tuesday Board meeting, the BoCC approved funding for a safety improvement project at the College Parkway and Whiskey Creek Drive/Edison Parkway intersection.  The project will also evaluate potential bicycle lane improvements. There have been safety problems at this intersection and we're pleased to see these concerns being addressed.