Invite to April 17th Public Workshop on Lee MPO's countywide bicycle and pedestrian Safety Action Plan

Here's an opportunity to learn about the Lee MPO's bike/ped Safety Action Plan that's been under development for the 9 months.  Improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Lee County is a top priority, and it's critical that all stakeholders commit to the implementation of this plan.  Hope to see you on April 17th.  

Background

The Lee MPO, in conjunction with FDOT District 1 and a broad array of local stakeholders, including BikeWalkLee, launched the development of the Lee Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Action Plan in 2012 as a follow-up to the MPO's countywide bike/ped  Master Plan. The purpose of the Safety Action Plan is to reduce bicycle and pedestrian injury and fatality crashes through a wide range of recommended activities--from education, engineering, to enforcement.  

See BikeWalkLee's August 2012 blog about it's goals for this plan.

Before this Plan is adopted by the MPO Board, the public is invited to attend this April 17th workshop to review and comment on the recommendations.

U.S. DOT's Bicycle Safety Summit spotlights Lee County’s Complete Streets program on April 11 in Tampa

 BikeWalkLee is excited that Lee County was asked to speak at Thursday's USDOT regional summit on bicycle safety hosted by Secretary LaHood.  Lee County's Tessa LeSage will be representing the County and talking about our complete streets program.  Several from BikeWalkLee will be in attendance and we'll report back what we learned.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 8, 2013

Contact:   Darla Letourneau, (239) 850-3219, dletourneau@bikewalklee.org

                             

U.S. DOT's Bicycle Safety Summit spotlights

Lee County’s Complete Streets program on April 11 in Tampa

Bicyclist/pedestrian safety takes center stage in Lee County in April and May

Fort Myers --- Lee County is one of Florida’s communities invited to share its experiences with complete streets as a way to make roadways safe for all users at the Southeast Regional Bicycle Safety Summit in Tampa on Thursday, April 11.  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, along with other U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) officials, is hosting the event in partnership with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Tessa LeSage, Lee County's Sustainability Director and co-leader of the county's complete streets team, will speak during a panel discussion.  Several representatives from BikeWalkLee also will attend.

The Bicycle Safety Summit brings together federal, state and local officials, planners, designers, engineers, law enforcement personnel, safety experts and others throughout the bicycle community to identify innovative ideas for improving bicycle safety in local communities.

"It's a feather in Lee County's cap to be invited to speak at this regional safety summit held by Secretary LaHood,” said Lee Board of County Commissioners Chairman Cecil Pendergrass.  “Implementing the county’s complete streets program is leading us down the right road, but there’s more to do.  With the high fatality rates for pedestrians and cyclists in Lee County, it's critical we focus on making our roadways safer for everyone."

Florida Department of Transportation District Secretary Billy Hattaway echoed Commissioner Pendergrass’s praise.  “Congratulations to Lee County.  I'm pleased the county's great work on complete streets over the past four years will be highlighted at this summit.  Tessa’s discussion will help inform other Florida communities just starting their journey.

“FDOT is committed to reducing fatalities involving bicyclists and pedestrians in Florida,” said Secretary Hattaway.  “We have important work to do in Lee County and the other nine focus counties across Florida.  Transportation engineers and planners, law enforcement, drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians – are all part of the solution.  If all of us are in it together, we can make a difference.”

FDOT’s “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow!  Safety doesn’t happen by accident!” campaign kicks off locally in Fort Myers next month.  Safety messages will emphasize things motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians always should do to keep themselves and others safe as they share streets traveling in the area’s communities.

“Making our roadways safer for all users is the priority,” said BikeWalkLee’s Darla Letourneau.  “Our participation in Secretary LaHood’s summit in Tampa is the perfect springboard for Lee County’s events in May."  On May 8 and 9, the County and Tice Historic Community, along with other partners, are conducting bilingual walking audits of the Tice neighborhood.  FDOT's "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow!" press conference (to be held at the Russell Park Community Center) follows immediately midday on May 9th. On the evening of May 15th, a "Ride of Silence" will take place in downtown Fort Myers, part of an annual international event to honor fallen cyclists and promote road safety.  And, a fun family event called “Safe Kids Day” with a cookout, games, and education booths is May 18 at Gulf Coast Town Center.

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ABOUT BIKEWALKLEE: 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. For more information, visit www.BikeWalkLee.org, the BikeWalkLee blog at http://bikewalklee.blogspot.com/, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

BikeWalkLee Column: What is a complete street?

BikeWalkLee's column this week explains the term complete street and what it means for citizens of Lee County. It also alerts readers (as mentioned in earlier BWL column) that the new print edition of the county biking facilities map is now available.
 

News-Press"Go Coastal" section, April 4, 2013

Before and After--making a street complete

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “complete street” in the context of transportation planning, transit or pedestrian/bicyclist use. But what does it mean?

It’s simple: A street that’s designed and operated to allow safe access for all its users. That means everyone who might use that street and its rights-of-way – cars, trucks, buses, motorcylists, walkers, bikers, transit riders, people with special transportation needs, you name it.

This is not a “one size fits all” road template. A complete street in downtown Fort Myers will look very different from a complete street in Alva or Buckingham – because the types of uses will be very different. A “complete streets” policy just means planners incorporate each area’s unique access needs and safety into any design.

A complete street-- N. Estero Blvd. in FMB

Lee County has a “complete streets” policy; and Fort Myers is developing theirs. But why does that matter to you?

• It means safer streets for everyone, when all designs address every user’s access as part of the overall plan.

• It means more efficient transportation, as various modes are integrated from the beginning, each augmenting the other. All forms of traffic can move together, not battle for the same limited road footprint.

• It means more responsible use of public funds, because sound design can be built in — not added on later, when it’s much more expensive.

• It means streets that have a longer life, built for tomorrow’s demands and not just today’s desires.

• It means returning to citizens the freedom to make cost-saving and healthy transportation choices.

• It means streets where walking and bike riding have a place of their own. Streets where buses and motorcyclists have safer passage. Streets where signage and signals are clear and consistent, which makes everyone’s transit more predictable (and thus safer).

Finally, it means streets that serve local homes, businesses and institutions. Road designs that keep children safe and communities intact. Parking and laning that allow customers to arrive, deliveries to be made and traffic to flow all on the same infrastructure. Crosswalks and cautions that recognize the special uses and special needs of places such as schools, hospitals, churches and more. Mostly, features that enable people to really use their roads, whatever their needs or capabilities… and that do all this with an attractive and alluring design that makes streets (and the communities that rely on them) more inviting and interesting.

 

A Fort Myers complete street--Winkler Ave.

Sounds like a lot to ask? Not really, it just takes some planning. Next time, we’ll show you an example of where that’s happening in a fast-growing area of Lee County.

The new print edition of the county biking facilities map is now available at bike shops, libraries, chambers of commerce, Lee County Parks, the county’s visitor kiosks at airport, from local bike clubs, and more. For questions, contact Metropolitan Planning Organization staffer Brian Raimondo at braimondo@leempo.comor call (239) 330-2240.

— 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 www.BikeWalkLee.org.