Advent of cars, suburbs led to threatening times for pedestrians

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, January 15, 2020
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com



Using our feet to get around is the original form of human transportation, at least on land. At some point humans used animals for transporting themselves and goods. Around 3500 B.C. the wheel came onto the scene — initially to serve as a potter’s tool — and it was used for transporting humans in chariots.

But travel by foot remained the primary mode for the masses. It wasn’t until human-powered bicycles and then motorized vehicles came about in the late 1800s that was there any significant change in how the majority of the world’s population got from place to place. Although the first use of the modern train predates bicycles by just a few years, they were few and far between and very limited as to where they could go. Even after the locomotive became commonplace, most personal transport, especially for local and short trips, was still made on foot. Once the motor vehicle proliferated in the early 1900s — because of its affordability, thanks to mass production — the world changed drastically, even in places where cars were rare or non-existent. This change became even more significant after World War II.

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.

Early in the 20th century, roads and streets that were used for centuries became unsafe for those on foot when an automobile was added to the mix. Laws that were purported to manage this new arrival and protect vulnerable users of the public right of way actually relegated the latter to second-class status in that space. For our own protection, of course. That trend continues to this day, regardless of lip service given to laws and road designs intended to allow pedestrians equitable and safe access to our public spaces. But we’re not giving up on making those two concepts reality.

Beginning in the late 1940s, car ownership exploded along with the new suburban model of community building. The growth of automobile ownership was both the reason for and result of our push away from easily accessible places and services to outlying suburban and exurban bedroom communities. One couldn’t/can’t live in those places without a car. Even, perhaps, one car for each adult in the household. When this change happened, an amazing thing occurred: requirements and infrastructure for accommodating pedestrians were nixed, both in the new suburban neighborhoods as well as existing places where walking was still commonplace and necessary.

Look around and you’ll notice gaps in sidewalks that coincide with the date the adjacent homes or businesses were constructed. On a larger scale, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, San Carlos Park and any other place that came up out of the ground after WWII are prime examples of the consequences of automobile becoming the end-all, be-all.

The lack of requirement for developers and governments to include safe accommodations means we have between hundreds of millions to over $1 billion of projects identified (depending on which estimates are used). And that’s just in Lee County. Multiply that by all the suburban model counties and it becomes quite clear that as a society we put way too much emphasis on the automobile at the expense of the general public’s access and safety. The good news is that since we are all pedestrians sometimes, there continue to be efforts to right the wrongs. Even with local governments that build bridges without allowing pedestrians to use them as recently as the 1990s. Even with governments still allowing businesses to be constructed along Pine Island Road without providing sidewalks. And even with governments providing only a pittance of the money needed to put a dent in our backlog.

While those short-sighted policies and actions continue to take place, progress is being made, thanks to the fact that people still need to, want to and love to walk and run. Those who put all their money on the automobile must have never envisioned would be the case.

Local coalitions and organizations like BikeWalkLee, Streets Alive of SWF, LeeFuture, Stay Alive… Just Drive! and Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition, as well as many business, certain government agencies such as Lee MPO and Lee Health continue to work toward getting our primary decision-makers to fully comprehend the public’s wishes and prioritize funding and policies appropriately. As well, local efforts are backed-up by scores of regional, state, national and international efforts and actions taking place to ensure people and not machines are the highest priority.

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.

Watch out on the roads for visually impaired pedestrians

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, November 6, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

Courtesy Photo

Along with a half-dozen others I donned a blindfold, clutched a white-tipped cane and took the arm of my guide. Visionless, we then ventured into one of the crosswalks we were using to get around all four legs of the very busy and noisy intersection of Old 41 and Pine Island Road in North Fort Myers.

Crystal, my guide, herself visually impaired, was also using a white-tipped cane but I knew I was in good hands. Nonetheless, as was the case for all of my fellow blindfolded pedestrians, it was quite harrowing and an informative experience.

This exercise - part of the annual White Cane Awareness Day - was one I’ve took part in a few years ago, yet it was no less stressful or impactful this time. I’ve also participated in a similar undertaking while in a wheelchair, blindfolded and with ear plugs in (not simultaneously), all to experience firsthand what folks with certain significant limitations must deal with on a daily basis simply to get around in the public space.

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.

The latter exercise was part of an urban planning conference with the target audience being those who design our infrastructure. Teams of three or four were sent to lunch with instructions to swap positions/disabilities as they made their way around downtown. Most of the teams either got back very late or never even had time to eat lunch because our journeys were so difficult and time-consuming.

Design and construction of what’s on the ground is one thing, but the way we treat each other on our roads and pathways is even more important and is something that has an immediate affect compared to awaiting infrastructure improvements. Realizing that our society is an aging one in terms of the overall number of those over 65 means more of us will have health and cognitive issues that have us moving slower and otherwise compromises our ability to react as efficiently as had once been the case.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “In less than two decades, the graying of America will be inescapable: Older adults are projected to outnumber kids for the first time in U.S. history.” Add to the mix very young children who don’t always make the best decisions and that equates to a lot of people out and about who are even more vulnerable than the average non-motorist. As we operate our two- to four-ton potential killing machines - otherwise known as our cars and trucks - we should always keep this in mind.

Specific to those with visual impairments, I’m reminded of the lack of awareness among drivers who encounter those with obvious visual impairments each time I teach the bike/pedestrian portion of the High Risk Driver class, a course that’s facilitated by Lee Health’s Trauma Center. When I cover the law that addresses what a driver is required to do when someone with a white-tipped cane or guide dog makes it clear they want to cross a street it’s rare that even one of the court-ordered attendees is aware of the law.

So, for everyone’s sake, here is Florida statute 316.1301(2): “Whenever a pedestrian is crossing, or attempting to cross, a public street or highway, guided by a dog guide or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white-tipped with red, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection or place where the pedestrian is attempting to cross shall bring his or her vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing and, before proceeding, shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring such pedestrian.” That’s similar to what is required of drivers when a school bus has its red lights flashing.

Bottom line: As drivers we should treat all others we share the public space with as we’d like to be treated and always keep in mind what limitations vulnerable road users may have that could compromise their abilities - even when it’s not as obvious as using a white-tipped cane or wheelchair. And remember that it will likely be you and me who are in that compromised position at some point.
 
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.

Upgraded bike infrastructure features finally appearing in Lee County

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, July 17, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

Sharrows remind drivers that bikes will be using the whole travel lane. COURTESY PHOTO

Anyone who’s travelled outside Lee County has likely seen or used features and treatments on roads, pathways and intersections that are intended to make the environment safer and more accessible for non-motorists. In many transportation-progressive communities, state-of-the-art signage and pavement marking are being incorporated to assist non-motorists on roads and pathways, particularly at intersections. Lee County, unfortunately, hasn’t been among those places. But maybe a baby-step in that direction will lead to some progress on that front.

Other than FDOT recently expanding the width of bike lanes and adding a second white line between the bike lane and motor vehicle traffic lanes on segments of U.S. 41 — the current standard required whenever adding bike lanes or resurfacing existing roads with them already in place — the only “new” feature that’s been used in decades are sharrows (chevrons and a bike symbol pavement marking reminding road users that bicycles may be using the entire travel lane). And even those are few and far between. Now, finally, FDOT is placing road markings to assist on-road bicyclists in making left turns on a multi-lane intersection. Indeed, a baby-step, but a move in the right direction nonetheless.

“Two-stage bicycle turn boxes” will be painted at the four quadrants of Daniels Parkway and Treeline Avenue. Ironically, both roads and the intersection are within the jurisdiction of Lee County DOT. But because it’s close to the Daniels Parkway interchange with I-75 — where Daniel Parkway is within FDOT’s jurisdiction — and resurfacing and other improvements are being done in the whole area, FDOT is funding this pilot project in partnership with Lee County DOT and Lee County MPO.

Here’s how FDOT’s describes this feature in its informational flyer: “Two-stage bicycle turn boxes are high-visibility traffic control devices that offer an alternative way for cyclists riding in bike lanes to make left turns at signalized intersections. They can be especially effective at multi-lane, high-volume intersections where they can reduce cyclist and motorist conflicts.”

As Lee MPO’s Ron Gogoi further describes it, “For cyclists weaving across traffic to make a left from an existing turn lane, it can be challenging and sometimes dangerous, especially on busy, multi-lane roadways. Two-stage turn boxes split the left turn movement into two separate, through movements, which allow the cyclist to travel through the intersection in a much safer manner.” The FDOT flyer can be found at www.leempo.com.

It might be compared to a jug-handle turn but without the user having to complete a right-turn and then a U-turn, which can be as difficult as trying to use the left-turn lane in the first place since the operator may have to cross multiple thru-lanes after making a right-turn in order to make that U-turn. The bike box user simply rides straight across most of the intersection, lands in the box positioned in front of the bike lane at that intersection, then turns the bike to the left and awaits the green light for through traffic. For intersections with as many lanes as Daniels and Treeline (one quadrant has 10 lanes) having this option can be very helpful.

If this pilot project is successful, perhaps it will lead to other features such as green bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, leading pedestrian signal phases, contraflow bike lanes on one-way roads (Evans Avenue could use one until Fowler Street is finally reconfigured), better detection of cyclists at signalized intersections, and many more sharrows (west First Street in downtown Fort Myers is long overdue for them). FDOT appears to be taking the lead so we may see some new features on Cleveland Avenue once this current project is complete. As well, the city of Cape Coral, being a Bike Friendly Community, is a good prospect for using state-of-the-art features. I know there are knowledgeable traffic planners working for all of our transportation departments and consulting firms who are anxious to implement forward-thinking features. Now it’s up to their bosses — and our political leaders — to have the will to do so.

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



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

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

E-bikes may be boon for transit, but safety is an issue

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, June 19, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

Electric bikes are useful for seniors, for those who may want to ride to work and those
who seek a motorized vehicle but have no driver’s license. COURTESY PHOTO

I’m not sure of my position on e-bikes and other electric micro mobility devices such as e-scooters.

But I am concerned about the potential for injury due to the seemingly imminent proliferation of the devices on our roads, shared-use paths and especially sidewalks that are meant specifically for pedestrians.

Already I’m not happy that so many adults routinely operate bicycles on sidewalks — it can be dangerous for them and pedestrians alike. Adding e-bikes to the pedestrian space will only make things worse. But that being said, there are many positive aspects of e-bikes to consider. As for e-scooters, perhaps I’m too old to understand why any adult would take the risk they represent to users and those around them. So, let’s just say I’m not a fan.

Speaking of being too old, folks in my age group (60-plus) and beyond can benefit greatly from e-bikes.

“Lee County has a very large population of retirees. Electric bikes are season-of-life extenders for older riders. We can expect them to be very popular here,” is a statement provided to me by Ed Benjamin, a former local bike shop owner and one of our area’s early bicycle advocates. Since selling his bike shop decades ago, Mr. Benjamin been an international expert on e-bikes. His statement is no doubt true, especially for those who no longer have the ability or will to undertake a lengthy and sustained pedal, particularly if wind or hills (something we deal with only when bridges are involved) are an issue. Whether more serious cyclists will embrace them as they get up in years is yet to be seen. Perhaps a better question is whether fellow riders who are using only human-power bikes will accept users of e-bikes into their groups having this advantage.

 For those who commute to work or elsewhere, being able to get there without having to put out so much physical energy that they are soaked with sweat upon arrival is a clear benefit. Owning an e-bike might also be an incentive for folks who are thinking about commuting by bike but have no access to a shower once at their workplace.

Another obvious benefit of e-bikes is related to transportation equity. It’s truly an inexpensive transportation option for those who otherwise would not be able to afford a motorized vehicle. While the price for a reliable e-bike starts at over $1,000, it’s nonetheless much less expensive than even the cheapest dependable car would be. As well, costs of operating are minuscule as compared to other forms of motor-powered vehicles.

Also, e-bikes can be driven by those with no driver’s license, or those whose license has been suspended or revoked. Whatever the reason one might be without a valid license — whether due to medical conditions, DUI or other traffic law violations — e-bikes are a practical transportation alternative.

Clearly, there are individual benefits to e-bikes as well as collective benefits to having them added to the traffic mix. Getting enough bikes on the roads to reach a critical mass where drivers are forced to deal with them as the legitimate part of traffic would be a great improvement to our current environment.

Until that point is reached, however, the fact that our infrastructure is still designed and built to accommodate 2-ton motor vehicles first and foremost means safety is a major concern. And having folks who don’t know or care how to safely operate traditional bikes get on e-bikes that can travel at much higher speeds than they’d otherwise be able to reach adds another level of risk — an enhanced risk that’s shared by both the e-bike operators and other vulnerable road and pathway users. If awareness and education efforts are made part of the push by the e-bike industry, it would go a long way in making me a full-fledged proponent.

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



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

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

Running, cycling and stair climbing season in full gear

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, February 27, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

Firefighters gear up for last year’s Fort Myers Fight for Air Stair Climb. DAN MOSER / FLORIDA WEEKLY

Just as our area’s high-season for visitors is upon us so, too, is it the peak of organized running and cycling events. For those who don’t run, be assured that most running events also welcome walkers. And don’t forget that it’s not too late to join in Healthy Lee’s Million Mile Movement, our community’s effort to collectively rack up the equivalent of 1 million miles via any and all physical activities. Also, be sure to sign up for the annual Fight for Air Stair Climb Challenge that will take place as the season wraps up on April 27.

Running and walking events
Sunday, March 3: Lazy Flamingo Half- Marathon, 6:30 a.m. start time, Fort Myers, (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com). Lazy Flamingo is using the former Hooters Half date and distance from its south McGregor Boulevard location. There’s a two-person relay option and one-mile fun run/walk as well.

Saturday, March 9: Annual Shrimp Fest 5K, pre-parade start time, Fort Myers Beach (www.3dracinginc.com).

Saturday, March 16: Lee County Medical Society Foundation 5K & 2-Mile Walk, Lakes Park, Fort Myers (www.3dracinginc.com)

Saturday, March 23: Scope for Hope 5K Run & 2 Mile Walk, CenturyLink Stadium, Fort Myers (www.ftmyerstrackclub.com).

Saturday, April 6: Run 4 the Cause 5K, Living Waters Church, Estero (www.endurancesportstiming.com).

Saturday, April 27: Fight for Air Stair Climb, various assigned morning start times, Oasis Tower, Fort Myers (www.ClimbFortMyers.org).

Cycling events

Sunday, March 3: Bike Brunch, Fleischmann Park, Naples. Rides from 5 miles to 100 miles (www.naplespathways.org).

Saturday & Sunday, March 9-10: Caloosa Riders’ Royal Palm Challenge. Two days of rides for the price of one: Saturday rides of 32 or 42 miles, as well as the main event on Sunday, with rides of 15, 40, 62 or 80 miles. Saturday rides will feature different routes than Sunday, with all rides starting and ending at Fort Myers Brewing Company in Gateway. Registration fee includes pre- and post-event activities, entertainment, lunch, full rest stops and SAG support on course (www.royalpalmchallenge.com).

Saturday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 20: 8th Annual Key West Bike Ride. Beginning in Fort Myers this 300-mile ride crosses the Everglades and down the length of the Florida Keys. The route is mostly flat, with the exception of 47 bridges, one of which is 7 miles long. Return transportation provided. (www.EndsCycling.com).

Friday & Saturday, March 22-23: Pedal & Play in Paradise, Punta Gorda. On Friday evening join the Punta Gorda city manager for a tour of the city’s extensive pathway network. On Saturday, rides of 15, 30 and 62 miles (metric century) are options, as is a Mystery Tour ride (www.pedalandplayinparadise.com).

Friday, March 29, through Wednesday, April 3: Bike Florida Spring Tour. This is the 25th anniversary of Bike Florida’s Spring Tour, Florida’s premier tour that changes routes each year. This time it’s the Nature Coast on Florida’s west coast north of Tampa, taking riders from Brooksville to Inverness (www.bikeflorida.org).

Sunday, April 7: Cycling for Fallen Heroes. The 8th annual fundraiser for the Brotherhood Ride, a non-profit organization entirely comprised of volunteer firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel who complete bicycle tours around America to honor emergency first responders who have died in the line of duty. Rides start at Trek of Estero at Coconut Point.(www.brotherhoodride.com).

Finally, although not an event, this item is intimately related to running, walking, and cycling: Streets Alive of Southwest Florida (www.streetsaliveswfl.org) has produced a video that says it all when it comes to how to treat each other in shared spaces. As usual, to learn more about this and similar matters visit Bike- WalkLee’s blog at bikewalklee.blogspot.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 and 334-6417. 

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

Sidewalks are not shared use paths

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, February 13, 2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

This FDOT side path on Cleveland Avenue is clearly a sidewalk intended for pedestrians. DAN MOSER / FLORIDA WEEKLY

Just when it appeared that the Florida Department of Transportation had transformed itself from the auto-centric roadbuilding agency of the past to one that had finally embraced Complete Streets, it backslid in a big way. Although it’s been under the radar for much of the general public and the media, a decision made in Tallahassee last year has drastically changed the policy related to side-paths construction and maintenance.

The new policy requires local governments to fully maintain any side path on FDOT roads that are meant for more than just pedestrians, meaning shared use paths over 8 feet wide and constructed of asphalt will no longer be built on state roads unless locals take over all aspects of maintenance (storm water management, surface repair and replacement, and other elements like railings and fences), an expense most governments will not agree to absorb.

Worse yet, FDOT made this major decision without any input from the many jurisdictions throughout the state that the policy has already begun to impact, which is totally contrary to a key principles of Complete Streets.

Like many states’ transportation departments, FDOT’s old motto was “we build them to ’em and through ’em,” referring to the way they operated without taking into consideration how roads would change communities or what local governments’ wishes were. The scars of this mindset are obvious when visiting just about any town in Florida where “main street” is or was the state highway ripping through its central business district, meaning there’s little chance of it being pedestrian-friendly unless locals forced it to be rerouted or redesigned.

Fort Myers is one such community that was able to convince FDOT to change the nature of SR 80 (Palm Beach Boulevard and Second Street) and SR 82 (Martin Luther King Boulevard). To FDOT’s credit, it recently put into place its own Complete Streets policy which includes much more bike/ped-friendly designs on surface roads (i.e., non-interstates and turnpike). Cleveland Avenue, from Winkler Avenue to downtown Fort Myers, should be a good example of this change of approach once work is completed.

However, this latest side path policy change will have many consequences that are clearly not complying with its own Complete Streets policy, a policy that first and foremost includes input from as many sources as possible, but especially those being directly impacted.

The effects of FDOT’s regression are significant. Even when buffered bike lanes are provided, narrow, concrete sidewalks rather than wider asphalt paths will reduce the number of folks who would use their bikes for transportation or to recreate, meaning more motor vehicles on the roads (motor vehicle travel lanes are much more expensive to build and maintain than SUPs). It will also severely impact the statewide trail system by creating many gaps because most jurisdictions simply will not take on maintenance of another jurisdiction’s right-of-way. Narrow concrete sidewalks do not meet the standards for the statewide trail network. And many funding sources specific to the statewide system or trails in general will be off the table due to adjacent segments on state roads not meeting standards, thus there would be no continuity. Already affected locally are SR 80 east of I-75, SR 78 (Bayshore Road) from just west of I-75 to SR 31, and SR 31 (the road to Babcock, which will have its own trail network open to the public).

At this point there seems to be little willingness by FDOT to reconsider its unilateral decision. For those local governments that have SUPs included on bike/ ped master plans or otherwise expected SUPs have two bad choices: let FDOT reduce them to sidewalks (as Lee County has already done) or agree to an unexpected, unknown, and unfair burden by taking on all maintenance expenses. These choices would never be required for elements of FDOT’s network that serve motor vehicles. To learn more about this and similar matters visit bikewalklee.blogspot.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 and 334-6417. 

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

Resolving to get active? Really?

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 1/16/2019
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

One of many electric bikes on display at last year’s Tour de Cape. DAN MOSER / FLORIDA WEEKLY

Same old promises, just a different year. It’s a lot like the movie “Groundhog Day”: fitness centers are busier than usual, the produce sections of food markets are fully stocked, and I’m guessing beer, wine and liquor sales take a downturn. Of course, all these and similar trends are temporary, thanks to our collective tradition of making New Year’s resolutions, pledges that are usually short-lived, no matter how well-intentioned and realistic they may be. But to help keep some of us from falling off the health and fitness wagon too quickly I’d like to offer a few events to consider.

One with the most potential is this year’s Million Mile Movement, a daily activity challenge facilitated by Healthy Lee that started on Jan. 15 and wraps up April 15. In past years it ran from Jan. 1 through March 31. But initiating something like this in the first days of January when many of us are still dealing with holiday eating, drinking, watching bowl games and generally trying to get back to a normal schedule (including getting visitors out of the house) seemed to set up even the most motivated of us for failure. These new dates should perhaps eliminate that problem. Don’t worry that you’re reading this at least a day after it started — you can jump in any time.

For the challenge, is participants log their daily exercise, either by entering them into an online journal or uploading them automatically via personal fitness device apps that are tied into Healthy Lee’s MyWellness website. Activities like walking, running, swimming and bicycling will be converted into steps, which in turn equate to miles. Any form of human-powered movement qualifies, including mundane stuff like dog walking, yard and house work, or just going from watching TV to the refrigerator. Progress feedback from tracking for personal goals, team rankings and comparison to others is an excellent motivator. There are no fees involved, excluding any personal device apps or programs one uses. Who knows, after three months it may just become a permanent routine.


Another great opportunity is the 26th annual Tour de Cape, Jan. 19-20. The 5K run/walk is Saturday and bike rides of distances from 15 miles to a 100-mile century happen on Sunday. The Cape Harbor venue is perfect for these events and it’s hoped that the weather will be equally so. This is a very well organized and supported event, thanks to Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department’s experience and hard work.

Logging miles to train for the first Lazy Flamingo Half-Marathon and relay would be another terrific way to add significantly to a million mile challenge. This run takes place on the first Sunday in March, the same as Hooters Half-Marathon’s old date. (Hooters now sponsors a trail half-marathon and 5K at Caloosahatchee Regional Park that took place earlier this month on the date previously used by River, Roots, and Ruts.) The course for Lazy Flamingo will begin at its location just south of College Parkway and will traverse College Parkway, Whiskey Creek and McGregor Boulevard, turning around between Fort Myers Country Club and the Edison-Ford Estates, which is also the relay handoff point. Volunteers are needed. Email fmtrackclub.info@gmail.com if you want to know more.

Finally, on Saturday, April 27, the annual Fight for Air Climb challenge takes place at Oasis Tower along the Caloosahatchee River near downtown Fort Myers. The venue will be open for training on each of the Saturday mornings in April prior to the event. Firefighters and SWAT members usually climb in full gear in less than seven minutes so most mere mortals should be able to make the ascent in less than 10 minutes.¦
 
- Dan Moser is a long-time bicycle/pedestrian advocate and traffic safety professional who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. Contact him at bikepedmoser@gmail.com and 334-6417. 

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

Sanibel Island wins gold for attention and care for cyclists, pedestrians

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 12/19/2018
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

Bike parking is not overlooked at Sanibel’s Farmers Market. Darla Letourneau / Courtesy Photo.

Congratulations to the city of Sanibel for achieving gold-level Bike Friendly Community status from the League of American Bicyclists, a designation that was announced earlier this month. After being awarded bronze and then silver status the last two go-rounds (re-certification is required every four years) a very strong application resulted in moving up a notch to the next-to-highest platinum level.

Anyone who lives on or has visited Sanibel Island can attest to the functionality and beauty of its pathway network. Some of the improvements made in the last four years include widening of two miles of pathway, a new path to Bowman’s Beach (one of the best beaches on the gulf, in my opinion), removal of unnecessary/inappropriate STOP pavement markings (getting that done was like pulling teeth), additional and enhanced crosswalks, repair and resurfacing of much of the network, an ongoing robust public-private campaign promoting the use of the pathway network as an alternative to driving and safety awareness aimed at both users and motorists.

Also added was a new unpaved path running parallel to Periwinkle Way from Causeway Road at the Island Welcome

Center to Roadside Park, just beyond the historical Bailey Homestead, which is accessible from the trail. It’s more of a foot trail but bikes are allowed. This nature trail is a real gem and has free parking/ trailheads at both ends, something very rare on the island. There are also many other equally wonderful unpaved trails on the island, most being within various parts of J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge.

While the pathway network is world-class, there remains a glaring lack of on-road facilities and bike-friendliness for those who ride bikes too fast for pathways. Although there will probably never be significant roadway accommodation due to limited right-of-way space, signage and pavement markings (i.e., sharrows) making clear to drivers that cyclists are to be expected as part of the traffic flow and an overall acceptance of on-road cycling by city leadership would go a long way.

Making roadway operation a practical and welcoming option for those who routinely hit speeds of 18-22 mph would also make it safer for pedestrians and novice/inexperienced/shaky cyclists on the paths — many of whom are riding bikes for the first time in many years as part of their vacation experience. A safe pathway speed is no more than 15 mph, much slower when congested and where frequent driveway openings exist, two common conditions on many parts of the network.

In terms of the pedestrian environment, Sanibel may want to consider applying for Walk-Friendly Community status, which is modeled after LAB’s Bicycle Friendly Community program and is operated by the University of North Carolina’s Highway Safety Research Center, one of our country’s most respected bike/ped research institutions. WFC is also supported by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, a national clearinghouse on bicycling and walking funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Preparing the application for WFC status would perhaps lead to ideas and policies that would benefit pathway users and on-road cyclists alike.

Sanibel actually has an opportunity to consider applying for that designation as it begins an update of its Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, an effort that’s funded through Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization and is just now getting off the ground. As was the case with the BFC application process, Sanibel Bike Club will be a major player. But just as relevant in developing the BPMP is the inclusion of nonclub residents and visitors (i.e., daytrippers and island-based tourism professionals who will represent non-local visitors). That vital element should include both a formal stakeholder committee (a requirement of the funds being used) and robust outreach beyond the usual one or two in-person input sessions (think online opportunities). Considering that Sanibel was able to move from being a bronze BFC to silver and now to gold in three consecutive cycles, it’s very likely it will do a great job in updating its Shared Use Path Master Plan. You can find Sanibel’s current plan (from 2009) at mysanibel.com and bikewalklee.blogspot.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 and 334-6417. 

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

There are always surprises on the roads and pathways

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 11/21/18
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

I was startled by a replica of a black panther while on a run in Caloosahatchee Regional Park. DAN MOSER / FLORIDA WEEKLY

Anyone who traverses our roads, pathways and trails surely has tales of things found or seen that were out of the ordinary. Of course, the slower your pace the more likely you’ll actually spot such curiosities. So, while it is possible to have these experiences when sitting behind the wheel or in the passenger seat of a moving motor vehicle (think of seeing your fellow motorist reading a newspaper while driving I-75, just to name one) unanticipated sightings are much more apparent when at a human pace. The frequency and detail increase as we move from bicycle speed to running then to walking. I’d like to relate a few of the more, shall I say, interesting items and sightings I’ve happened upon.

One re-occurring subject I’ve come upon over the years is discarded clothing, shoes and hair extensions. While these items can be lumped in with the glut of other litter our area is plagued by, these things stand out. It’s on or just after the weekend when these are most likely to be spotted and it’s always disturbing when underwear is among them. On one run across the Edison Bridge I found a prosthetic leg, which I reported to FDOT so they could add it to their lost and found box. Seeing things like that and hair extensions always leads me to conjure up stories of how they got there, adding some entertainment to my ride, run or walk.

Finding paper money isn’t nearly as ordinary as clothing and hair extensions items but discovering coins is quite common. However, Maria, my wife, seems to have an eye for the greenback — or she’s very lucky. A while back she found a $100 bill on our usual Sunday morning run. More recently she came home with over $125 in assorted bills scattered around an empty parking lot when she was on her eight-mile walk. The best I’ve ever done is a few dollar bills here and there. But I’ll continue to keep my eyes peeled.

Trail running frequently results in big surprises. Sometimes they’re wildlife-related and other times human wildlife themed. I’ve witnessed hawks grabbing snakes hanging in trees and flying away with them in their talons. At least twice I’ve had to change course due to very large rattlesnakes blocking the trail. Happening upon scores of wild boars is very common in places like Caloosahatchee Regional Park. At that same park I once turned a corner and came face to face what appeared to be a black panther (Yikes!) but was really a lifelike replica strategically placed to elicit just the reaction I exhibited.

The human wildlife I’ve encountered in woods off the beaten path (i.e., not in a park or other “official” public place) frequently include camps that the folks living there consider their homes. In most cases no one was there at the time but it still felt like I was an uninvited guest in their living room so I never lingered.

One time there were what appeared to be trip-wires around an area I couldn’t determine to be a typical camp for otherwise homeless people or something more nefarious, so I quickly retreated and never returned to that area. Another reoccurring theme I’ve happened upon in the woods that probably won’t surprise anyone is sexual activity of one kind or another. It’s obviously quite uncomfortable to (literally) run into such situations, so unless it appeared to be anything other than consensual — something I fortunately never encountered — I’d simply acknowledge their presence while continuing to move along.

An important aspect of seeing things up close and at slow speed is the ability to identify hazards that might otherwise be overlooked until something bad occurs. My injury prevention background means I can’t help but look at infrastructure quite critically and make mental notes or stop to take photos of things I feel need attention. I recently came upon a newly constructed sidewalk that presented a potentially serious hazard: the unfinished but unprotected curb ramp had a drop-off that could easily injure unknowing users, especially in the dark. A phone call to public works got the problem on their radar (although a week later it remained unaddressed). It shouldn’t be only safety-nerds like me to point out such hazards and problems to those who can fix them; anyone who happens upon them need only call or otherwise inform the jurisdiction responsible for addressing such matters. All the pertinent contact information can be found below.

Lee County: Request For Action hotline 533-9400 or an online form at www.leegov.com/dot/requestforaction/online-submission-form.

Cape Coral: Online at capecoral.net/services/citizen_support_center.php or Citizen Support Center at 574- 0425. You can also go to CapeCoral.net/Bicycling and click on the “Maintenance Requests” tab on the left side of the page which will take you to the city page.

Fort Myers: Public Works, 321-7445 or submit a request online at cityftmyers.com/761/Support-Center.

Sanibel: Public Works, 472-6397.

Fort Myers Beach: Online at fl-fortmyersbeach.civicplus.com or contact Public Works, 765-0202, ext. 1701.

Estero: estero-fl.gov/request-for-action.

Bonita Springs: Public Works Department, 949-6246 or online at cityofbonitasprings.org/for-residents/report-a-problem.

State roads: local operations center, 985-7800. ¦

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

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

So many weekends, so many events

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 11/07/18
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

The local running and walking season is underway, and there are numerous events in Southwest Florida. Here’s a list of events in coming months.

Saturday, Nov. 10: Achieva Credit Union’s Coconut Run 5K, 7:30 a.m. start time, Sun Splash Waterpark, Cape Coral. 3dracinginc.com.

Saturday, Nov. 10: Midpoint Madness 5K, 7 p.m. start time, Royal Palm Square, Fort Myers. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

Thursday, Nov. 22: Turkey Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m. start time, Cape Coral Hospital, Cape Coral. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

Thursday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day 5K Walk/Run, 7 a.m. start time, Hertz Arena, Estero. www.eliteevents.org.

Saturday, Dec. 1: 40th annual River Run 10K and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, 8 a.m. start time; downtown Fort Myers. This classic running event, which traverses two bridges over the Caloosahatchee River, is our area’s longest continuously running road race. Its original name was Lee Memorial Hospital Run. Although Lee Health (formally known as Lee Memorial) is a sponsor of a number of local running events it is no longer involved in this one, something that is difficult to understand. Word is that unless it or another sponsor steps up this may be the last year for this event. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.





Saturday, Dec. 15: City Gate Ministries Downtown Christmas Run 5K and 1 Mile Walk, City Gate Ministries, downtown Fort Myers, 6 p.m. www.3dracinginc.com.

Sunday, Jan. 6: Hooters River Roots & Ruts Trail Half Marathon & 5K, 8 and 8:15 a.m. start times, Caloosahatchee Regional Park, Alva. Although both the original River Roots, & Ruts and Hooter’s Half Marathons are no more, the RRR was resurrected by Hooters this past March — but goes back to the original RRR January date in 2019. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

Saturday, Jan. 19: Run to Home Base 5K & 10K, 8 a.m. start time, JetBlue Park, Fort Myers. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

Saturday, Jan. 26: Bug Chase 5K Run/ Walk, 7:30 a.m. start time, Calusa Nature Center, Fort Myers. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

Saturday, Feb. 2: Strides for Education 5K Run/Walk, details upcoming. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

Sunday, Feb. 3: Publix Run to the Arts 5K, 8:15 a.m. start time, Riverfront, downtown Fort Myers. It’s on the final day of the weekend-long Art Fest, our area’s premier outdoor art festival. endurancesportstiming.com.

Sunday, Feb. 10: Edison Junior Parade Races, various morning start times, downtown Fort Myers. Lots of family activities as part of the Junior Parade day. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

Saturday, Feb. 16: Edison Fest 5K Run/Walk, 5:45 p.m. start time, downtown Fort Myers. One of the country’s largest night parades immediately follows the race. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

This list as well as many other active events throughout Southwest Florida are always available on this blog.¦

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

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

Local road-running and walking season begins

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 9/26/18
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

It’s not exactly the crisp and cool autumn of up north but the fact is that fall began Sept. 21 everywhere in the northern hemisphere, climate regions notwithstanding. The local running and walking season has officially begun as well. Not that our summer was devoid of organized events — each year more and more take place during a time of year that used to be almost barren of anything other than a few 2-mile fun runs. But anyone who runs or walks on a regular basis can attest to the unmistakable difference once the heat and humidity get back to something less than sauna-like.

Many events for the upcoming season are confirmed, including some as far out as next spring. A few are part of larger happenings so you can make a day or night of it. Some of the events are:

Saturday, Sept. 29: Walk Like MADD and 5K DASH, JetBlue Park, Fort Myers, 8:30 a.m. start time. Family activities to follow run/walk. www.endurancesportstiming.com

Saturday, Oct. 6: Busey Bank Run for Prevention 5K, Centennial Park, Fort Myers, 6 p.m. start time. www.3dracinginc.com

Saturday, Oct. 6: Walk for Wishes, Florida Gulf Coast University, 8:30 a.m. start time. Family Fun Day begins at 9:30 a.m. www.endurancesportstiming.com

Saturday, Oct. 13: Cops & Joggers 5K Run/Walk, Edwards & Hendry, Downtown Fort Myers, 7:45 p.m. start time. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com

Saturday, Oct. 20: St. Andrew Catholic School Run for the Stars 5K, 7:30 a.m. start time, Jim Jeffers Park, Cape Coral. www.3dracinginc.com

Saturday, Oct. 27: Race 4 F.I.S.H. 10K, 7:30 a.m. start time, Sanibel Community House, Sanibel. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com

Saturday, Oct. 27: Walk to End Alzheimer’s (2 miles), 9 a.m. start time, Centennial Park, Fort Myers. www.alz.org/walk

Saturday, Oct. 27: Babcock Ranch Trick or Trot 5K, 8 a.m. start time, Babcock Ranch. www.3dracinginc.com

Saturday, Nov. 10: Achieva Credit Union’s Coconut Run 5K, 7:30 a.m. start time, Sun Splash Waterpark, Cape Coral. www.3dracinginc.com

Saturday, Nov. 10: Midpoint Madness 5K, 7 p.m. start time, Royal Palm Square, Fort Myers. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com

Thursday, Nov. 22: Turkey Trot 5K, 7:30 a.m. start time, Cape Coral Hospital, Cape Coral. www.ftmyerstrackclub.com

Thursday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day 5K Walk/Run, 7 a.m. start time, Hertz Arena, Estero. www.eliteevents.org ¦

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

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

Advocacy groups are raising awareness for pedestrians, cyclists

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 9/12/18
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

Hanson Street, above, in Fort Myers is an example of an incomplete street.
North Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, right, is a complete street.
DAN MOSER / FLORIDA WEEKLY

As much as I find lacking in our area in terms of the precarious environment for people on foot and bicycles, the dedication among individuals, groups and formal organizations working to affect change isn’t one of our weak points.

My Aug. 1 column delved into some of the projects coming online that should improve things and I briefly touched on folks who are organized in one way or another in order to affect change for the better. This time I’d like to expand on a few of those positive efforts taking place.

Southwest Florida Critical Mass just marked its fifth anniversary. This loose-knit group of people that meets up each month at four or five different locations around Lee County to enjoy parade-like rides is going strong. While having fun is the primary purpose, members also raise awareness about traffic safety and the many benefits of cycling, on their brightly lit-up, oftentimes tricked-out bikes. In some parts of the country the term “critical mass” is associated with bike advocacy that involves civil disobedience. The Lee County group is just the opposite as it represents fun and positive advocacy.

Streets Alive of Southwest Florida, originally created in 2012 as a Healthy Lee coalition effort to plan and facilitate our area’s first two Cyclovias, has expanded its focus beyond event management. It is now engaging directly with the community by undertaking bike/ped-related projects and efforts, primarily in at-risk and underserved neighborhoods. It is also conducting symposiums for government, private sector developers and individuals who are concerned about how growth affects our quality of life. Their achievements include needed improvements being made to the pedestrian infrastructure in and around Franklin Park Elementary School in Dunbar. Thanks to formal walking audits they undertook with residents, nearby nonprofits, and the school’s students and personnel, Streets Alive was able to document the need to add bike/ped facilities on school property and surrounding streets. It also secured grants to purchase bikes, safety equipment and to develop a curriculum specific to their needs to teach bike/ped safety. Many Streets Alive members have received formal training from the Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Program so are certified community instructors who can conduct bike safety, clinics and assist schools, recreation programs, and others with hands-on bike/ ped safety education. It also planned and facilitated two exemplary conferences to educate professional community and transportation planners, elected officials, developers and concerned citizens about the benefits of sustainable development and Complete Streets.

BikeWalkLee continues to work behind the scenes to promote, monitor and inform the public related to Complete

Streets policies and practices in our area. This coalition, which came together in 2008 as a result of outrage over transportation policies and practices that focused almost exclusively on moving cars and that put pedestrians and cyclists at risk when using our public roads, has been instrumental in convincing local governments and even Florida Department of Transportation to embrace Complete Streets as official policy. The challenge now facing BikeWalkLee is ensuring the various governments follow through with their policies and not backslide by giving in to certain developers and others who would rather go back to accommodating cars over people. This is no easy task as our economy thrives and we again experience breakneck growth.

To sum up, along with other group efforts, such as Lee County Injury Prevention Coalition, Healthy Lee, Community Traffic Safety Team and supportive governmental agencies like the Metropolitan Planning Organization, there should be success in getting Lee County off the top of the list of most dangerous places for pedestrians and move us toward being truly bike/ped-friendly.

For more information on these projects and efforts, see bikewalklee.blogspot.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 and 334-6417. 

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

Bad environment for cyclists, pedestrians increases danger

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 8/29/18
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

For anyone who gets around on foot, on bike and behind the wheel it’s quite easy to conclude that we clearly have a one-sided traffic environment geared toward moving drivers as quickly and efficiently as possible.

That means, of course, pedestrians and cyclists are second-class users of our transportation network. This disparity creates a dicey and inefficient situation for non-motorists that has led to our area having some of the worst overall statistics for crashes, injuries and fatalities. It’s also why Lee County is one of the most dangerous places in the country to be a pedestrian. And cyclists aren’t too far behind.

Not only do our dismal traffic crash statistics confirm this but the Dangerous by Design report (www.smartgrowthamerica.org/dangerous-by-design) further underscores the situation. Now another recent study adds credence to what many of us know: when the overall traffic environment is poor, pedestrians take more chances and use traffic controls and features less often. This isn’t a chicken-or-egg situation but rather confirms exactly what the Dangerous by Design report reveals, as expressed in its name.

The State Smart Transportation Initiative (www.ssti.us) reports that in order to get people on foot to adhere to traffic rules road designers need to consider not only the immediate walking environment (features such as sidewalks and designated crossings) but also the entire traffic safety climate of an area, an aspect where our area completely fails.

According to the abstract of “The Mediating Effect of Traffic Safety Climate Between Pedestrian Inconvenience and Pedestrian Behavior,” researchers conclude: “Pedestrians’ perceived inconvenience is an important factor that affects pedestrian behavior, and the influence of pedestrians’ perceptions of the traffic safety climate cannot be disregarded.” It’s no surprise then that pedestrians tend to break the rules and make bad judgments more often when they perceive overall traffic environment as out of control and blatantly skewed toward drivers. Poorly designed or non-existent sidewalks and motorists’ noncompliance at intersections and marked crosswalks affect people’s overall perception of traffic safety and lead them to decide to break the rules, whether for self-preservation, efficiency or both. Using the Complete Streets model can improve people’s opinions of the transportation environment and perhaps make them more compliant even if, and when, encountering minor inconveniences, not to mention an actual reduction in crashes, injuries and fatalities among all road users.

As for how this also applies to the cycling environment, too many law enforcers and even some of our court officials are still getting wrong what constitutes the safest and legal position for road-using bicyclists. I once wrote about a cyclist who was cited for illegally obstructing traffic by riding away from the right edge of the roadway. Some law enforcement officials - and, unfortunately, even some ill-informed judges - believe those on bikes who aren’t riding in the gutter are illegally impeding traffic and are being arrogant. Those of us who know how to operate safely are well within our rights to take a position as far away from the right edge/curb as necessary to discourage unsafe passing, even if it does indeed obstruct traffic, albeit legally. Yet the bias continues - in this case the judge upheld the citation.

Let me go over it again for the benefit of cyclists, drivers, law enforcers and traffic court officials: While Florida law states that a cyclist must ride “as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway” it also lists a number of exceptions, including “when a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side.” (FSS 316.2065(5)). Even though the term “practicable” is open to interpretation, the fact is that any lane under 14 feet wide is considered sub-standard in terms of even an average-sized car and bike being able to safely share.

The Florida Department of Transportation states: “With the exception of a few types of high-speed, limited-access roadways (for example an Interstate Highway or the Turnpike), every FDOT travel lane is also a bikeway — no special signs or markings needed. In the state of Florida, the bicycle is considered a legal vehicle and may be operated on the street, unless there is some guidance otherwise, such as marked bicycle lane. Standard travel lanes are 12’ wide and too narrow to share, so you will need to control the lane.” (www.fdot.gov/roadway/BikePed/BikePedBF.shtm)

To further illustrate why it’s both practicable and safe to stay away from the gutter I implore everyone - but especially law enforcers and traffic court officials - to view a short video produced by CyclingSavvy (www.cyclingsavvy.org/cycling-law).

Finally, I’d like to invite readers to take part in a survey about your perception of our local cycling environment (www.peopleforbikes.org/placesforbikes-community-survey-tell-friend).

As always, you can find more about these projects and efforts at bikewalklee.blogspot.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 and 334-6417. 

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

Educational courses make roads safer

Florida Weekly 'Outdoors' column, 7/4/18
danMOSER
bikepedmoser@gmail.com

Physical education teachers participate in a
training class on bicycling safety
COURTESY PHOTO

In a perfect world we would all follow the rules, laws and mores we’ve set up for ourselves as a society. But we’re all human so mistakes and missteps are inevitable and to be expected. That fact goes for the things we do on our roads and pathways as much as anything.

Just to cite a few examples: We’re all familiar with pedestrians who unexpectedly dart into traffic from between parked cars, people on bikes riding against traffic and drivers failing to stop behind a stop sign or red traffic signal and encroach into the crosswalk (marked or unmarked). Those actions may be isolated poor decisions, entrenched bad habits or deliberate actions based on self-serving reasons or incorrect information. When dangerous behaviors become ongoing and frequent — as appears to be the case in our part of the world, at least based on traffic crash statistics — education can make a difference.

For some time, online education courses on almost any topic have been readily available and often the preferred option. But based on my experience, learning online about how to behave in traffic is not as effective or impactful as training conducted in person.

Over the years I’ve provided many bicycle and pedestrian education sessions and programs, including training others to be instructors. Most of my efforts are now focused on the latter, mainly because I realize it’s much more productive to deal with those who know their audience as teachers and also because it has a multiplier effect once individuals have been trained as instructors.

Recently I trained members of Streets Alive SWF (streetsaliveswfl.org), University of Florida Extension Service staff (sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu), and interested local residents to do just that. These folks were eager to learn how to teach pedestrian and bicycle safety through bicycle skills clinics/bike rodeos, community presentations and other events. Now they have a better understanding of relevant laws, behaviors and practices — knowledge that will benefit them as individuals as well as teachers of others. It’s always rewarding working with motivated individuals and the organizations they represent.

Admittedly, it’s not easy to attract participants to take part in the various in-person opportunities to learn how to behave in traffic as vulnerable road users, except perhaps for school students (assuming it’s offered). For potential drivers who are just learning or who are very new to being behind the wheel, it’s a little easier to get them to undertake formal education for practical purposes.

But that’s not the case for established drivers. From my perspective, educating drivers — or at least getting key messages and concepts to them — would have the biggest impact on reducing all traffic-related injuries and fatalities, meaning those involving vulnerable road users would likely also be positively impacted.

For those learning to drive as teenagers, the limited offerings in the way of school-based education means only some of those needing it receive it and even then, it’s not nearly as comprehensive and effective as it needs to be. For established drivers, continuing education usually comes only when the courts require it, there is a need to reduce accumulated points against one’s driver license or the driver seeks a discount on insurance. Seldom, if ever, does anyone take a driving “refresher” just to ensure he or she is operating at as high a level as possible.

I’ve compiled a list of educational opportunities available in our area. It’s not comprehensive — the list doesn’t include those that are specific to traffic law offenders or anything available online. The list includes nonprofits or government agencies. Local commercial driving schools can be found at https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/behind-wheel-training/#lee. ¦

BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN

CyclingSavvy, American Bicycling Education Association, abea.bike.

Smart Cycling, League of American Bicyclists, bikeleague.org.

Ride Leader / Ride Marshall Certification, FBA, floridabicycle.org.

Florida Traffic & Bicycle Safety Education Program, hhp.ufl.edu/safety.

Safe Routes to School, floridasrts.com.

SafeKids at Golisano Children’s Hospital, safekidsleecollier.org.

BikeWalkLee, bikewalklee.org.

Streets Alive SWF, streetsaliveswfl.org.

DRIVING

Stay Alive … Just Drive!, sajd.org.

Smart Driver Course, AARP, aarp.org/auto/driver-safety.

Young Driver Program, Lee Health, leehealthynews.org/articles/lee-health-calendar.

Teen Driver Challenge, Sheriff’s Youth Activity League, leecountysheriffsyouthactivitiesleague.com/teen-driver-challenge.

D.A.T.E, required to obtain driving permits and other driving courses, SWF Safety Council, swflsc.com/driving-school.

For more information, see bikewalklee.blogspot.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 and 334-6417. 

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