Alva Inc. joins BikeWalkLee coalition, bringing total supporter organizations to 60

 Alva Inc. also joined BikeWalkLee Coalition in December 2013, bringing the total new supporter organizations to 10 in 2013, with a total number of 60.

Since we posted the January blog post about our new supporter organizations, we discovered that we had inadvertently forgotten one of the new 2013 organizations--Alva Inc.  This brings us to 10 new supporter organizations in 2013, with a total of 60 organizations.  Click here for the updated list of all supporter organizations. 

As we stated in our Jan. blog post, a strong coalition is the strength of BikeWalkLee and the reason behind our numerous accomplishments.  We have partnered across sectors with a growing number of community stakeholders that want to improve the quality of life and mobility in Lee County.  Partners include Florida Gulf Coast University, health care organizations, safety and injury prevention groups, AARP of Florida, citizen and community groups, environmental organizations, planners and sustainable communities groups, bike clubs, and bike shops.

BikeWalkLee welcomes Alva Inc. to our network:

Alva Inc. is a local civic organization whose mission is to preserve and protect the unique historical, rural, agricultural and equestrian ambiance of Alva, FL.  The purpose is to provide a forum for community planning in consonance with the mission statement. As Alva Inc.'s  Dec. 2013 newsletter stated, "Bicycling is drawing more attention to Alva thanks to the area's rural charm and views of the river, pastures, animals and the Caloosahatchee Regional Park...Alva Inc. shares BikeWalkLee's goal of making Lee County's roads safer for everyone who uses them and wishes to work closely with the organization."

Bicycle safety rodeo at Cape Coral charter schools

Kudos to everyone who helped with Saturday's successful bicycle safety rodeo in the Cape.  BikeWalkLee hopes that this example inspires others to host these important safety training events for school children in their communities.  Thanks to Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club for the photos.

More than 80 eager first through 5th graders learned the ABC's of  bicycle safety at the 3rd Annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo held at Oasis Elementary last Saturday morning.  The  event was sponsored by the City's Oasis Charter Elementary and Christa McAuliffe Charter Elementary schools.   BikeWalkLee helped get the Rodeo started and has been a sponsoring partner all three years. 

Dan Moser, certified bicycle safety instructor, led the training.  He is also the Injury Prevention Consultant for Lee County EMS (and BikeWalkLee steering group founding member).  Caloosa Bike Riders Club volunteers were at each of the training course stations providing hands -on help and encouragement. 

The Rodeo is a serious educational undertaking but its success is also due to the large element of fun that is built into the event.  Kids love to bike!  This mix once again proved to be a winning formula for kids, parents and trainers.

Hollywood Bicycle Center owner Rob Ossichak provided the free bike safety inspection, making sure each bike was safe to ride.  Loaner bikes were provided to any child who needed one, from the Lee County EMS trailer made available to Dan.

  

Lina Quintana of  Golisano  Children's Hospital  made sure each child had a property fitted helmet.  The Children’s Hospital donated a helmet to anyone who did not have one.  She was assisted by Mary Ossichak, of  Hollywood Bicycle Center.

Support for the Rodeo was provided by the Charter Schools Administrator, Dr. Angela Pruitt and the school principals:  Jacque Collins at McAuliffe Elementary and Steven Hook at Oasis Elementary.  Assistant Principal Kevin Brown coordinated planning for the schools and Alex Gomes was parent coordinator.  Teacher Wendy Hearyman headed up the effort at Christa McAuliffe.

 Each child was accompanied by at least one parent who provided some hands-on encouragement or cheered from the sidelines.  An estimate 125 children and adults were at the event. 

Stations at the Rodeo included: helmet-fitting, Rules of the Road, navigating through cones, hand signaling, starting and stopping, and avoiding road hazards.  The highlight of the Rodeo for many was the “the Snail Race” competition. ("How Slow Can You Go!"). 

Eight child-size donated bicycles were awarded to the winners in a free raffle. 

Businesses and organizations helping  make the Rodeo a success included:  Sandbill Realty Group Inc., SP Designs & MFG, Publix Super Markets, and Cape Coral Police Department.

 This event is believed to be the only school-sponsored and school-based Rodeo involving two elementary schools in Cape Coral. BikeWalkLee hopes this Rodeo can serve as an example of what could be done at all  elementary schools. To learn more about the Rodeo contact Steve Chupack at 239-218-8496  or schupack@bikewalklee.org. 

Report by Steve Chupack

Upcoming biking/running/walking events

 Check our blog every Monday morning for upcoming running/walking/biking events.

2014 Tour de Cape run

Running/walking      

·   Saturday, Feb. 8: Commit 2B Fit 5K walk/run, Lakes Regional Park, Fort Myers. 9 a.m. 

·        Saturday, Feb. 8: Run for the Rose Garden, Cape Coral Rotary Club. Rotary Park, Cape Coral. 7:45 a.m.

·        Saturday, Feb. 15: Edison Fest 5K, downtown Fort Myers.  

·        Saturday Feb. 22: Swamp Stomp 5K.

·        Sunday, March 2: Hooters Half Marathon, Fort Myers. 7 a.m. 

·        Saturday, March 29: Scope for Hope 5K, Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers. 

2014 Tour de Cape bike ride

Cycling and other events:

·        Saturday, Feb. 8: Fallen Heroes Rides, Trek Bicycle, Estero. 10-, 28- 42- and 62-mile options

·        Saturday, Feb. 15: Ride for Hope, Bonita Springs. 10- 25- and 50-mile options

·        Sunday, March 16: Royal Palm Classic, organized by the Caloosa Riders.

·        Saturday, March 29: Walk, Wheel, and Wobble for Ataxia, Florida Gulf Coast University. 10-, 30- and 62-mile rides, 5K run 

·        Sunday, April 13: Immokalee Ride for Literacy, 15-, 30- and 62-mile rides