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The Florida Bicycle Association has a new site and blog at Floridabicycle.org.
It features a lot of great resources for all types of cyclists, including how to get involved in advocacy, bicycle traffic laws, legal resources and events calendars.
Check it out!
The Today Show ran a piece this morning about how prices at the pumps are pushing pedal power. Their first example: commuting via the Pinellas Trail.
[via Bike Pittsburgh]
By Joel Anderson, Times Staff Writer
BROOKSVILLE - Two teenage boys riding bicycles were struck by vehicles and killed in separate accidents Saturday night.
The accidents happened about an hour apart, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The first one happened at about 9 p.m. on Cedar Lanenorth of State Road 50 and the other one came at about 10 p.m. on Powell Road.
In the second, Scott Avery, 17, of Brooksville, was riding eastbound on Powell Road when his bicycle was struck from behind by a two-door 1997 Saturn vehicle. The driver of the Saturn fled the scene but was later identified by the FHP as Leo Salvato, 36, of Spring Hill.
Salvato was later captured and will face charges, FHP spokesman Sgt. Steve Gaskins said today.
In the first collision, Justin White, 17, address unkown, was struck by a 1998 Ford pickup truck while riding north on Cedar Lane. Timothy D. Price, 45, of Brooksville, was passing another car when he hit the teen, according to the FHP.
White's bike had no lights, Gaskins said. The teen was taken to Brooksville Regional Hospital where he later died.
Brent Bruns and Andrew Blikken have an ambitious plan: inspired by free-bike programs in Europe, they want to flood downtown St. Petersburg with 8,000 bright green bicycles for the public to use for free. The program, BikeGreen, is funded by $.25 Altoid machines scattered around town as well as from donations.
Sound familiar? It's been done in Tampa Bay before. The Tampa Downtown partnership put 50 orange bikes on the street in 1997 and they vanished within a week. Eckerd College has a similar program with their yellow bikes on campus. Most ended up destroyed, abandoned or locked away behind a fence, though the bikes seem to be enjoying more success lately. Bruns says he realizes many of the bikes will disappear quickly: he's planning on losing 1,000 per month. The thought is that by providing so many bikes, the demand will simply overwhelm the desire to steal them.
What's not clear is where these bikes are going to come from and how they will be maintained. Donated bikes spray-painted green and maintained by volunteers will be of marginal operational quality at best. Trying to turn people on to cycling as a practical means of transportation is not likely to be accomplished by broken bicycles. Paid bike rental programs like Velib in Paris are still the most rational business model to make a program like this succeed.
I'll keep you posted on the future of BikeGreen and I wish it the best of luck, but it seems the program has a long way to go.
Not many things annoy me more than someone going the wrong way in a bike lane. This counter-intelligent move puts everyone at risk: Them, me, passing motorists, the ozone layer. It's as bad as riding the wrong way on a one-way street. It's pretty cut and dry.
But Bike Snob NYC has a new dilemma for us to ponder. What if that vehicle that's parked in the bike lane happens to be unloading a whole bunch of new bikes? Spreading the joy of cycling whilst ruining it for others? Hmmm.....
There are two kinds of cyclists: Those who have had bikes stolen, and those who will. If it's happened to you, you know it's a pretty disheartening experience. Now with bike riding on the rise, people need to be aware of how to best protect their investment.
The "Sheldon Brown" method:
It may not "look" right, but I assure you, there is no way to remove the wheel or frame while locked in this position.
Some tips from the League of American Bicyclists:
Here's a great video from StreetFilms with two NYC bike mechanics. They take to the streets to see if people are doing a good job locking their bikes and rate the ones they find.
Think passers-by will help if your bike is stolen? Think again:
Now if all that doesn't break your heart, this will:
The Florida DOT held the first of two public forums to discuss the proposed multi-use trail across the Courtney Campbell Causeway tonight in Tampa. If this plan goes ahead, there will be major improvement for cyclists and others to cross the bay from north Pinellas to Tampa. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 22 in Clearwater.
It will extend from the area near the proposed Bayshore Trail extension in Pinellas County (Bayshore Boulevard at SR 60) to the eastern end point at the sidewalk/multi-use path currently under construction as a part of the Tampa Airport Interchange project in Hillsborough County.
The public meeting will be held:
Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Clearwater Christian College, Bldg. D
3400 Gulf to Bay Boulevard
Clearwater, Florida
For more information, you can download the proposal .pdf document here.
[Via Tampa Bay's 10]
I swear I will never run another stop sign as long as I don't have ride with these... things.
[via Urban Velo]
Friday was Bike To Work Day across the land. Did you ride in?
There were two great pieces in the St. Petersburg Times that day about bicycle commuting.
Eric Smithers examined the sorry state of bicycle resources in Tampa during his commute from New Tampa to downtown:
More than once, I thought I would get forced off Rowlett Park Drive. There was a general disregard for the 3-foot buffer law that's supposed to separate cyclists and drivers, and traffic was far too fast for my liking. It amazed me how many people either didn't know or didn't care that I had a right to be on that road. The Share the Road signs must only be visible by bicycle.
Columnist Dan Dewitt says things aren't much better in the suburbs:
A few years ago, the Tampa Bay area was named the second-most dangerous place in the nation to walk or ride a bike. Though riding in Hernando is less hazardous than in Hillsborough or Pinellas counties, four cyclists died on our roads and 99 were injured between 2002 and 2006. Sixteen riders died in Pasco.
Just so it's not all bad news, Fox13 had a great piece about how one side of the bay is getting things right. St. Petersburg mayor Rick Baker joined a group of bike commuters to participate in Bike To Work Day and highlight his Green City program.
[Photo by Kathleen Flynn/St. Petersburg Times]
Your favorite street signs, Share The Road, are changing color.
Under proposed guidelines, they will change from yellow to florescent green.
The the Federal Highway Administration published a Notice of Proposed Amendment in the Federal Register containing a proposal for a new edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
What does that mean in English? Updates for bike signs and their use. The Bike Commuters Blog from Orlando pulled out some relevant items listed below.
If you'd like to comment on any of these before their approval, Trafficsign.us says you may do so by visiting www.regulations.gov and searching for "28977" (the regulatory number assigned to the new MUTCD). Then follow the instructions on the webpage. Note: When submitting comments, it's usually a good idea to provide thorough justification for for proposed revisions to the draft MUTCD content, and include references or citations to applicable research or studies as needed. The deadline for comments on this proposed revised MUTCD is Thursday, 31 July 2008.
Section 9B.06 Bicycles May Use Full Lane Sign (R411)
Option:
The Bicycles May Use Full Lane (R411) sign (see Figure 9B2) may be used on roadways where no bicycle lanes or adjacent shoulders usable by bicyclists are present and where travel lanes are too narrow for bicyclists and motor vehicles to operate side by side.The Bicycles May Use Full Lane sign may be used in locations where it is important to inform road users that bicyclists might occupy the travel lane.
Support:
The Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC) defines a “substandard width lane” as a “lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the same lane.”Section 9C.07 Shared Lane Marking
Option:
The Shared Lane Marking shown in Figure 9C9 may be used to:
A. Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in a shared lane with onstreet parallel parking in order to reduce the chance of a bicyclist’s impacting the open door of a parked vehicle,
B. Assist bicyclists with lateral positioning in lanes that are too narrow for a motor vehicle and a bicycle to travel side by side within the same traffic lane,
C. Alert road users of the lateral location bicyclists are likely to occupy within the traveled way,
D. Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists, and
E. Reduce the incidence of wrongway bicycling.Guidance:
The Shared Lane Marking should not be placed on roadways that have a speed limit above 50 km/h or 35 mph.Standard:
Shared Lane Markings shall not be used on shoulders or in designated bicycle lanes.
If used in a shared lane with onstreet parallel parking, Shared Lane Markings shall be placed so that the centers of the markings are at least 3.4 m (11 ft) from the face of the curb, or from the edge of the pavement where there is no curb.Guidance:
If used on a street without onstreet parking that has an outside travel lane that is less than 4.3 m (14 ft) wide, the centers of the Shared Lane Markings should be at least 1.2 m (4 ft) from the face of the curb, or from the edge of the pavement where there is no curb.If used, the Shared Lane Marking should be placed immediately after an intersection and spaced at intervals not greater than 75 m (250 ft) thereafter.
Section 9B.18 Bicycle Warning and Combined Bicycle/Pedestrian Signs (W111 and W1115)
Support:
The Bicycle Warning (W111) sign (see Figure 9B3) alerts the road user to unexpected entries into the roadway by bicyclists, and other crossing activities that might cause conflicts. These conflicts might be relatively confined, or might occur randomly over a segment of roadway.Option:
The combined Bicycle/Pedestrian (W1115) sign (see Figure 9B3) may be used where both bicyclists and pedestrians might be crossing the roadway, such as at an intersection with a shareduse path. A TRAIL XINGThis is from the proposed amendments to the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). The comment (W1115P) supplemental plaque (see Figure 9B3) may be mounted below the W1115 sign.A supplemental plaque with the legend AHEAD or XX METERS (FEET) may be used with the Bicycle Warning or combined Bicycle/Pedestrian sign.
Guidance:
If used in advance of a specific crossing point, the Bicycle Warning or combined Bicycle/Pedestrian sign should be placed at a distance in advance of the crossing location that conforms with the guidance given in Table 2C4.Standard:
Bicycle Warning and combined Bicycle/Pedestrian signs, when used at the location of the crossing, hall be supplemented with a diagonal downward pointing arrow (W167P) plaque (see Figure 9B3) to show the location of the crossing.Guidance:
A fluorescent yellowgreen background color with a black legend and border should be used for Bicycle Warning and combined Bicycle/Pedestrian signs and supplemental plaques.When the fluorescent yellowgreen background color is used, a systematic approach featuring one background color within a zone or area should be used. The mixing of standard yellow and fluorescent yellowgreen backgrounds within a zone or area should be avoided.
Essay contest winner Marie Reynaud shows off her new bike.
Tampa BayCycle awarded two bikes, courtesy of Chain Wheel Drive in Clearwater and Anabel Weis, a private donor, to Marie Reynaud of Tampa and Deborah Vines of Dunedin, winners of the ‘Words for Wheels’ contest. The bikes were presented to Reynaud and Vines on May 1, the beginning of National Bike Month. The winners also received lights, helmets and locks courtesy of Tampa BayCycle.
Head over to Tampa BayCycle to read the winning entries.
[Photo courtesy of Tampa BayCycle]
You can't mention bike commuting these days without talking about the rising cost of gas. Tampa Bay's 10 featured both in this short video report. Naturally it appears during Bike To Work Week.
[via Alan Snel's Bike Stories]
Did you ride in today? Shame on your if you didn't.
Well folks, it's here. National Bike Month. Every May the League of American Bicyclists organizes events, promotions and programs that celebrate cycling.
Tampa BayCycle is doing its part with the second annual Commuter Challenge. Each day during Bike To Work Week (May 10-16), participants log their miles on the Web site and earn prizes. First place? A Minewt Niterider Bicycle Light, Valued at $189.
Stay tuned for many more cool events and contests during Bike Month.
11,329
That's how many Share the Road plates were sold in 2007, raising $164,880 for the Florida Bicycle Association. It ranked 46th among specialty plates sold, which was higher than the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch!
The University of Florida tag sold the most: 105,361. The Orlando Predators (Arena football. Yeah, I had to look it up) were last with two plates sold.
[via The Chain Gang]
Commitment to bikes shameful
For years many people have been asking the Tampa mayor to please create a bike lane on both sides of Interbay from Bayshore to West Shore, a very dangerous and frequent path for cyclists. Needless to say, the Tampa mayor is spending millions on a Riverwalk to nowhere. A similar and shorter area frequently used that is also dangerous and within the ability of the mayor to accomplish is south of Gandy on both sides of Bayshore to the air base.
These are areas the mayor's bike person said years ago they were "looking at."
You mention the east side of Bayshore's bike lane, which disappears a mile south of the Davis Islands bridge and forces riders back onto the wide-open road. The west side of Bayshore, of course, does not have a bike lane and is also dangerous and in frequent use by cyclists.
Bottom line: Tampa has one bike lane for a few miles on the east side of Bayshore.
It is embarrassing to visit other cities that have a civilized and safe approach to this subject, particularly those cities in which cycling cannot be enjoyed because of weather constraints half the year.
Thanks for writing anything about biking. Too bad the Tampa mayor wishes the activity would disappear, a la the Bayshore lane.
Mike Luetgert, Ballast Point
Please take a few minutes to complete this short on-line bicycle survey for the Hillsborough MPO.
Results will be used in the development of the Comprehensive Bicycle Plan: for prioritizing types of bicycle facilities; where they are needed; and what safety programs would help get more people to try cycling.
Bicyclists have diverse cycling skills and experiences, so it would be best to get a large number and variety of survey respondents. Please circulate this survey to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.
I took it, even though I don't live in Hillborough. I think our experiences as cyclists are similar everywhere around Tampa Bay.
Tampa BayCycle is promoting several endeavors for National Bike Month during May:
Thursday, May 1
Proclamation Bicycle Relay
Temple Terrace, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater
A team of bicyclists will carry a proclamation to each location to spread the word that May is National Bike Month.
Thursday, May 1, 5 - 7 p.m.
Opening Reception: “Visions of Cycling”
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
200 N. Tampa St., downtown Tampa
May 10-16, 2008
Commuter Challenge
Log your miles during May and win prizes
www.TampaBayCycle.com
Friday, May 16
National Bike to Work Day
[via The FAIL Blog]
Dear Spoke 'N' Word,
I am a grandmother and am no longer a bike rider. I drive, as does my husband, as little as possible and mostly locally, thanks to the high cost of fuel. We are safe, courteous drivers and always watch for the other person who may be on foot or bicycle, etc.Most serious bikers follow the rules of the road and are equally careful. It does disturb me, however, to see as many people as we do who don't seem to know or care about the rules. They ride on the wrong side of the road, often zig-zagging back and forth, darting out from curbs or between cars, not to mention a lack of helmets or noticeable clothing colors. I fear for them. I fear for the driver who may hit them and then be blamed for the accident.There must be an answer to this safety issue. Possibly riders who are seen by persons in authority should be ticketed in the same manner that unsafe automobile drivers are. Possibly it would be worthwhile to distribute printed material at schools and other suitable locations. Just a thought.As a concerned citizen, I wanted to state my opinion. Thank you.B. Cason
I'm a little late with this, but it's so crazy I had to post it.
Those of us who like to get the tires dirty once in awhile all share one thing in common: wild animal stories. I've come across my fair share of tortoises, armadillos, pigs, deer, snakes and strange birds out in the woods, but this one tops them all.
Last week Alan Snel posted about a friend who stuck a wild boar while riding at Flatwoods. Well, something like that doesn't happen every day, and sure enough, the cyclist was found. Turns out it was Joel Concepcion and his wife who took a spill. Check out what it did to his bike (!!!) and get the whole story at Alan's blog.
[photo by Kristie Concepcion]
If you've ever been to Washington D.C. during the spring and been lucky enough to catch the cherry blossoms during peak bloom, you know what a beautiful sight it is.
You also know what a traffic nightmare it is.
So, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association organized a free bike valet service for visitors the National Cherry Blossom Festival. At the two locations they safely parked 460 bikes in the first weekend alone. (The festival runs through three weekends.)
Since you can bring your bike on D.C.'s Metro, you can effectively start from anywhere in the area and make it to the cherry blossoms with limited fuss. Check out some lovely pics here.
Hat's off to WABA for putting this together. There are plenty of events in downtown St. Petersburg that could certainly benefit from a service like this.
[via TheWashCycle]
Renee Blaney of Ocala was honored last week by Gov. Charlie Crist with a Point of Light Award for her outstanding volunteer work. The president of the Ocala Mountain Bike Association, Blaney regularly maintains trails in part of the Cross Florida Greenway.
Renee worked with the International Mountain Bicycling Association and the Office of Greenways and Trails to develop an extensive off-road bike trail network. She also established a volunteer bike patrol to enhance the safety of the trails. Each year, Renee helps coordinate the annual Spring Break Fat Tire Festival, attracting more than 300 riders to the Cross Florida Greenway’s bike trail network. In 2006, the International Mountain Bicycling Association designated the Santos portion of the trail as an Epic Ride, “something worth celebrating and making a special trip.”
Governor Crist will present the award during a Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra reception at the Governor’s Mansion. Congratulations, Renee.
[via Spokes N Folks]
Just like every other group ride in history, the ones in Winter Park are becoming a nuisance to local motorists. They complain about riders hogging the road and blowing through stop signs, just like every group ride does. So the police went out and followed these rides and their video ended up on the local news.
Two things worth pointing out about this story:
So as the popularity of the sport increases and there are more and more riders on the road, the issue will only get worse. But bike lanes are not the answer, each bike stopping individually at a stop sign is not the answer and riding single file is not the answer. There are no easy answers.
[via Dave Moulton]
Recently I was asked to participate in the judging of the Tampa BayCycle photography contest. On Friday I stopped by their offices at the USF campus and got a chance to see all the wonderful submissions. There was some great stuff and I'd like to thank all of those who participated.
I can't reveal the winners yet, but you'll have a chance to see them and the other entires May 1 at the opening reception of their display at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. Can't make it then? They will be there until May 31. Stay tuned for more.
[photo courtesy of Julie Bond]
We've all heard about crazy things that happen when you're JRA (Just Riding Along), but USF student Dallas Herdon was doing just that last week. Now he is lucky to be alive after something on his bike broke and he catapulted into the pavement. There was no car involved, no averse weather and no warning.
Herdon, 23, underwent emergency surgery for an epidural hematoma at University Community Hospital and he will be forever reminded of that day by the scar that covers the whole right side of his head. I'm happy to report he is in good spirits and recovering extremely quickly.
Read more about Herdon's amazing story miracle at the USF Oracle.
[Via USF Cycling Blog, Photo courtesy of the USF Oracle]
Today a discussion arose here at Spoke N Word HQ regarding photographs of British track cyclist Victoria Pedelton, above, wearing nothing more than her bicycle.
“There is this nasty stereotype of what you should be like in cycling and I have stepped beyond that. I am a different build and I have shown it works. It is, like, 'Check this out.’ Other girls my size should be going for it,” the petite Pendleton tells The Times of London. And what about those put off by the photos? “My response,” Pendleton says, “was 'Don’t buy the magazine then’.”
My argument was that even though Pendleton is an accomplished cyclist on the track, female athletes are encouraged (required?) to display a certain level of sexuality in order to promote themselves. Women's track cycling is hardly a major sport and simply winning races will probably never be enough to support a career.
But this applies to major sports as well: IRL driver Danica Patrick is in the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard has posed nude for Playboy and Anna Kournikova has appeared in every magazine on Earth. Despite their success in competition (Beard) or lack thereof (Kournikova), it is their sexuality that has made them household names.
So the latest example of this sexuality has been a certain other blog promoting a March Madness style bracket of their own. The site's traffic went through the roof and all the women benefited from the (positive and negative) publicity.
And in wrapping up, just point out the double standard: When Lance Armstrong posed nude on his bike, no one seemed to care.
What are your thoughts and are there any experiences you'd like to share?
Poor guy. State Farm makes him look like a sap. As if they hadn't caused us enough grief already, a new commercial for the insurance carrier features this man forced to *gasp* ride a bike to work because of rising gas prices!! Oh, the humanity!!!
Now, I'm pretty used to getting strange looks when I roll up on my bike and wouldn't be at all put off by the heckling this guy receives from his co-workers, but the point is, it's clear someone in the ad agency feels that commuting by bike is an embarrassment, and enough people agreed for this commercial to make its way onto TV. Naturally, the bike community is up-in-arms about it.
Is this a sign we are no closer to alternative transportation becoming a possibility, let alone a reality, in America? That despite the rising fuel costs, the general populous is simply not at all interested? That no amount of economic hardship will force us to reexamine our car-loving culture?
So a lot of cyclists are upset about this commercial. That comes as no surprise. But deep down I think many of us enjoy being outsiders. We enjoying knowing there is an easier way, and that we derive a certain satisfaction from knowing that we're comfortable enough in our own skin to embrace a lifestyle that runs directly counter to so many others'.
That, and I love all the extra cash I have that I didn't spend on gas.
What do you think?
Oh, and if you want to send State Farm a note about their commercial, you can do so here.
[via FlaBikes]
Cycling advocate and blogger Alan Snel has gotten the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club off to a fast start with three regularly-schedule monthly rides and some upcoming special events:
First Saturday of the Month (April 5): 5-Mile Family Ride. Start at 1203 E. Powhatan Avenue at 9 a.m. Slow, leisurely ride ideal for kids and families.Second Saturday of the Month (April 12): Intermediate 10-Mile Ride. On April 12, this bike ride will be a new River Ride led by Rick and Lisa Hickman. Gather at the Garden Center on Central Avenue a half-mile north of Hillsborough Avenue at 8:30 a.m., and this ride leaves promptly at 9 a.m.Third Saturday of the Month (April 19): 22-Mile Ride. Mike Limerick and Steve Swiger will lead this new longer and faster ride (15-16 mph) to Davis Islands and back. Gather at the Garden Center at 8 a.m. and this ride will leave promptly at 8:30 a.m.Sunday April 13: A special 18-20 mile ride courtesy of Susia Cooke of the Tampa Bay Freewheelers. This ride departs from the Lowry Park Zoo parking lot at the SE corner of Lowry Park at Sligh and North Blvd. The ride will tour the neighborhoods of Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Ybor City, Channelside and Harbor Island. The ride features a leisurely return through downtown Tampa, and then head north along the Hillsborough River. About 18-20 miles at 10-12 mph. Contact Susie Cooke at 813 236-8119 for more info.
Sunday April 20, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. -- The Seminole Heights Bicycle Club has bought a table for $50 at the Earth Day event at the Lowry Park bandshell park at the corner of Sligh and North Blvd. If you would like to spend some time at our SHBC table to chat with visitors, contact SHBC steering committee member Ken Sturrock at ks@decaocto.org. Ken will set up a schedule of SHBC members to man the table.Saturday, May 17, 8 p.m. -- The Seminole Heights Bicycle Club is proud to launch Movie Night at the Seminole Heights Bike-In Theater. The SHBC will show that all-time great bicycle movie, Breaking Away, in my back yard at 1203 E. Powhatan Avenue. Pot luck dinner begins at 8 p.m. and Breaking Away starts at 9 p.m.The Seminole Heights Bicycle Club is open to all bicyclists no matter where you live and feel free to bring a friend!
This one makes the lane I posted last week look like an interstate.
[via QuickRelease.tv]
I typically refrain from editorializing here, but as I was posting about this event, I started to wonder: the organizers of Bike Florida certainly mean well, but is this in the best interest of cyclists in Florida?
Published today at Tampabay.com:
CLEARWATER -- A group of cycling advocates (above) -- wait for the drawbridge this morning at the Dunedin Causeway after cycling from the Ross Norton Park and Sports Complex where they camped overnight in Clearwater.
The ride kicks off the 15th annual Bike Florida, a weeklong camping tour in which cyclists will travel from Clearwater north to Dunnellon. For much of that trip, they'll be on "off-road" trails such as the Pinellas Trail, and they plan to use the Bike Florida event this year to highlight the need for more trails restricted to biking and walking.
Today's event will feature two longtime activists -- Bike Florida executive director Linda Crider and writer advocate Herb Hiller -- who 30 years ago called for cars to share the road with bikes. This year, they're calling for more trails. -- Douglas R. Clifford, Times photographer
The non-profit organization behind this ride (also known as Bike Florida) was created to promote cyclists' rights and raise funds for the state's cycling eduction program. The tour is a week-long point-to-point camping tour ridden almost entirely on paved bike trails and right-of-ways. This is all well and good and seems like fun.
But seeing these riders clogging up a sidewalk and riding almost exclusively on trails, both new riders and motorists are receiving the message that cars belong in the road, bikes belong elsewhere. The Bike Florida Web site states the ride is "fully supported with assistance from local law enforcement agencies and safety signage, alerting motorists to 'Share The Road'."
I don't see any road-sharing going on here.
Has anyone participated in this ride? Am I missing something?
[photo by Douglas R. Clifford]
Drew sent this ad placed on the back of a Jacksonville bus reminding motorists of the statewide three-foot law. In the lower left I can just barely see it was paid for by the North Florida Bicycle Club. It sure would be nice to see something like this implemented here in Tampa Bay, or even better, state-wide.
Thanks for sharing, Drew!
Just a few days after I wrote about the sad state of some St. Petersburg bike racks, I bring you an inspiration for the city: The New York City Bicycle Rack Design Competition.
The purpose of the competition is to develop functional, well-designed sidewalk racks and to generate new concepts for bicycle parking inside commercial and residential buildings. These two initiatives, in addition to NYCDOT’s commitment to increasing the number of miles of bicycle facilities, providing the City’s first sheltered bike parking stations and creating more bicycle parking at transit stations, will raise the profile of bicycling as a convenient mode of transportation in New York.
The registration deadline is April 30, so if you've got some good ideas you better get started!
[via Bicycle Design, photo via Cool Hunting]
I don't know, I bet some of you readers could identify worse bike lanes here in Tampa Bay. Got any nominations?
[via Slate.com]
I certainly applaud all the steps the city of St. Petersburg has taken in the past few months to improve the cycling infrastructure, but I can't help but be disappointed by the site of these damaged staple racks. I couldn't tell if they were bent by a vehicle or not, but the fact that they are bolted to the ground instead of being sunk into the concrete is disappointing. Not to mention they are placed across the street from any shops. I've never actually seen anyone use these except for maybe major downtown events.
Would you lock your pride and joy here? I wouldn't.
With new bike lanes popping up all over the Tampa Bay area, let's take a look at what the next step in auto/bike integration might look like. Similar to the painted crossover lanes in some parts of Pinellas County, Portland has begun coloring Bike Boxes in front of traffic to better allow cyclists to make left turns.
I say coloring because the lanes are not painted. A special adhesive is applied to the roadway, then a colored material called PreMark is applied and burned into the surface. It offers a non-slip grip for cyclists and is much more durable.
BikePortland.org says initial observations indicate cars are stopping in the appropriate area.
While it is encouraging to see these steps, I wouldn't hold my breath on seeing something like this in Tampa Bay. Portland drivers are much more accustomed to seeing cyclists on the roads. Think anyone would follow these signs here? I don't.
It should also be pointed out that the most cycling accidents are the result of the Right Hook and the Left Cross, neither of which is protected by these boxes. However the green does raise cyclists' visibility and legitimacy on the road.
[via BikePortland.org]
Tampa BayCycle is challenging riders in Tampa Bay again this year to tell them how a bicycle could change their life with the 2008 Words for Wheels contest. Just send them 250 words on what impact riding might have on your lifestyle and how it might benefit the greater good.
Send your essay to:
Julie Bond,
New North Transportation Alliance
Center for Urban Transportation Research/USF
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CUT 100
Tampa, FL 33620
bond@cutr.usf.edu
Your entry must include the following: Name, Complete Address, Telephone Number, Email, Age
Leslie, 2007 Winner, poses with new bicycle courtesy of Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium and Oliver's Cycle Sports.
[via Tampa BayCycle]
Carlton Reid, of QuickRelease.tv and the SpokesMen podcast fame, put together an extensive examination of what were the most effective and safest means of locking his bike. He points out the most important thing to remember: no lock can secure a bike 100%, it only buys you time. How much time is up to equipment and methods.
One interesting tip I never considered: the tighter your lock is around frame/wheels/post/whatever, the more difficult it is for would-be thieves to fit their tools through it. When using a hydraulic car jack to smash a lock, that can make a big difference.
Anyway, check out QuickRelease.tv for the complete story.
[via Cyclelicious]
Got a note this week from fellow Tampa Bay cycling blogger Alan Snel. He wanted to report his blog is back up and running, but at a new address: alansnel.blogspot.com.
He also wanted to let the community know about a new venture of his: the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club. The group is already hard at work on the details. The group will host its first club ride February 16 with special guest bicyclist Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and her husband Mark Woodard. Meet at 1203 East Powhatan Avenue at 8:15 AM and the ride will begin at 8:30 AM.
Find out more about the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club at Alan's blog.
What more can be said than the world has lost a true innovator and one of its most passionate cyclists. Sheldon, you will be missed.
Recently some concerned cyclists have realized that many of our state's greatest personalities have gone unrecognized for their contributions to cycling and other cyclists. They are the ones who were insturmental in founding cycling clubs, building mountain bike trails, promoting races and events and representing the state around the world.
The Florida Cycling Hall of Fame intends to gather this information and create a system to identify and preserve the history of Florida cycling with an upcoming 2008-2009 Hall of Fame inductee process.
Right now the categories are not set in stone and no formal structure has been announced. If you'd like to nominate someone or get involved, visit the HOF website above and download a nomination form.
The first, and most obvious, honorary inductee is John Sinibaldi of St. Petersburg. A two-time Olympian and 18-time national champion, his career spanned seven decades. John passed away two years ago at 92 having rightfully earned his nickname "The Legend."
by Times staff writers
Jericho Road Ministries is seeking bike riders in Hernando County to participate in the Joy FM Bike Ride for the Homeless, a two-day ride from Brooksville to Bradenton on Feb. 15 and 16.
The ride will include about 60 miles each day and will have three to four breaks daily, including lunch, dinner and entertainment each day.
A practice ride will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, starting at State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway in Pasco County. Meet in the parking lot across from Target. The group will ride up the trail to Brooksville and back, which is about 50 miles.
The registration fee is $150, which includes a jersey, sag stops (for water, Gatorade and snacks), lunch both days, dinner both days and transportation to the starting point.
Registration will be accepted through Monday.
The event is sponsored by Joy FM. For information, call Pat Augustyniak at (813) 453-1804 or visit the Joy FM Web site at www.thejoyfm.com and download a contribution form.
Back in September I mentioned the Innovate or Die contest, sponsored by Google, Specialized and Goodby Silverstein & Partners. The contest asked participants to submit YouTube videos of pedal-powered ways to better the world. According to Google, "the contest encouraged people to evaluate environmental issues and develop ingenious solutions surrounding climate change."
Team Aquaduct of San Bruno, Ca., has been declared the winner for their trike that provides filtering and transportation of drinking water for impoverished areas. You can check out their amazing video below and see the other entries at this special YouTube page.
Roll those cuffs!
Last night I was riding home from work in St. Petersburg and didn't bother to roll up the cuffs on my jeans far enough. I wasn't going very far, and figured it was no big deal.
I was wrong.
The chain sucked in the cuff and tore my jeans all the way to the knee. Since I was on my fixed gear I couldn't coast. All I could do was try to stop while the crank arm made 3-4 more rotations.
My jeans became so entangled that I simply could not get myself out. I was praying no one would walk by and see me stuck. I was scrambling for some way to cut my way out. After about 10 minutes of ripping and pulling, I manged to free myself. "Ok," I thought, "Now I have a new pair of shorts."
No luck. Riding in these jeans so much had worn them so thin that when I started off again I ripped the whole crotch out.
I'm glad I was on my way home!
I stumbled upon an interesting series of articles in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about who "pays" for the roads: Drivers, or all citizens?
It all began with a guest column in September that lashed out against "demanding" and "hostile" militant-type bicycle advocates:
Self-serving biking activists like to piggyback their gimme-gimme-gimme agendas onto more grandiose popular movements, camouflaging clubby events with patriotic slogans about relieving traffic congestion, reducing gas consumption and combating global warming and pollution. What nonsense.
Luckily, another guest column pointed out the errors in the popular belief that cyclists don't pay for their share of the road:
A 1995 study titled "Whose Roads?" by cycling advocate Todd Litman laid all this out in detail. The study estimated that automobile users pay an average of 2.3 cents per mile in user fees, including fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees, while they actually impose 6.5 cents per mile in road service costs. Who pays the difference? It's picked up by general taxes and property assessments. So while bicyclists pay an equal share of those taxes, they impose costs averaging only 0.2 cents per mile in road service costs.
So who's right? A P-I reporter followed up and discovered that many cities offset the cost of cycling infrastructure (bike lanes, bridges, extra lights) by charging a registration fee for bicycles. The idea popped up in Seattle after the city approved a new $240-million, 10-year cycling plan. But does that make cyclists "vehicles"? Not under Washington law, but in Florida...
...Cyclists can rack up points that jeopardize their driver's licenses and inflate their insurance rates. In fact, Florida establishes a "dummy record" for underage cycling scofflaws. Juveniles must pay any tickets on that record before they can get their first license, said Ann Nucatola, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Not surprisingly, the plan has its share of opposition as well:
"We want as many drivers as possible to give up driving their cars," said Gordon Black, director of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. Required registration would create a "potential barrier" to cycling, he said. "We want we want to make the access to bicycling as easy as possible."
I doubt such a measure will get much of a sympathetic ear among this blog's readers, but how would you react to such a plan here in Tampa Bay?
A University of Florida student was killed this week in Georgia when a semi struck him while he was bicycling, the Gainesville Sun reported this week.
Jeffrey Joseph Popelka Jr., 26, died following the Monday night crash on U.S. 301, about five miles south of Statesboro, near the intersection of Georgia Road 46, said Georgia State Patrol Sgt. Josh Lamb.
Popelka had been bicycling north on the roadway at about 11:30 p.m. when a tractor-trailer, also traveling north, hit him from behind, Lamb said. The wreck remained under investigation Thursday with charges pending the outcome of an officer's review.
Lamb said the roadway is in a rural area of Bulloch County, and he did not believe there was any lighting in the area.
The driver of the semi was listed as Robert Lee, 49, of Millen, Ga.
Popelka was listed as a senior engineering major at UF, a campus spokesman confirmed.
A friend of Popelka said the Okeechobee High School graduate had dreamed of a solo bicycle ride from Gainesville to New York and, after successfully completing another school semester, had set out Sunday on the trip.
[Via the Gainesville Sun and the USF cycling blog]
San Luis Obispo County has put together some great commercials educating the public about cyclists' rights and responsibilities on the road. Built in conjunction with their SLO County Bicycle Coalition, the spots were paired with ads on buses and in movie theaters.
The Times' Lorrie Lykins recently addressed a concern from a reader complaining about group rides in Pinellas County in her Dr. Delay column:
Irritated with cyclists who don't observe the "share the road" principle? You're not alone. Questions about the legality of cyclists' biking on area roads in packs hit the Doc's mailbox weekly.
Bill Balmer of Seminole recently wrote: "I frequently travel Indian Rocks /Oakhurst Road in Largo and Seminole on Sunday mornings. I usually see a bicycle group heading north with a lineup of cars behind them Indian Rocks Road is one lane in each direction. This group consists of 25 cyclists or more. This morning I happened to be northbound and got caught behind them. They paid no attention to the cars backed up behind them and rode as many as four abreast. There was no way that any cars could safely pass."
Balmer said that as the pack approached one traffic signal, it turned red but the pack proceeded through it. He wonders what can be done about cyclists' flouting traffic laws and endangering themselves and others.
We shared Balmer's concerns with Sgt. Jim Bordner of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Bordner said Florida law prohibits bicyclists from riding more than two abreast except when they are on paths or parts of roads set aside for their use.
Also, "bicyclists who are riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic," Bordner said.
Florida statutes also state that a bicyclist has all the rights and assumes all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle, so a cyclist must stop for stop signs and traffic signals.
Florida law also requires that bicyclists riding on a public road at less than the normal speed of traffic ride as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the road except when they are overtaking another bicycle or vehicle traveling in the same direction. Exceptions to the right-hand-curb requirement: preparing for a left turn or avoiding an unsafe situation, or if the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel side by side safely.
Bordner said he would forward Balmer's concerns to the commander of the sheriff's patrol operations bureau.
Group riders running red lights should never happen and I can't say I've seen it happen, but there will always be bad behavior. There must be a way to reach a consensus about how we can continue the group rides and do so in a responsible manner.
Maybe it's happened to you before. It's probably happened to someone you know. While I hope no one ever needs this information firsthand, it can be crucial to making the best of a dreadful situation. While you might know what to do if you're in an accident in your car, a bike accident is very different. You may be injured and certainly your nerves will be frayed. The folks at BicycleLaw have laid out the basics for you:
ALWAYS wait for the police to respond to the accident scene so that an official report will be filed. Some cyclists do not realize that they have been injured until several hours after the accident. By then, it may be too late to identify the at-fault driver. Seemingly minor injuries can develop into serious and permanent injuries.
YOU should not attempt to negotiate with the at-fault driver. He or she may not give you accurate information about their identity, insurance coverage or vehicle ownership. Many drivers who cause accidents will initially apologize and accept blame for the accident, but will later, after they have time to consider the ramifications, will deny that they were negligent. They may even deny that they were even present at the accident scene! The accident report will include the driver's statements as well as all other witness statements. Additionally, the responding officer may decide to ticket the driver and this can be useful when trying to settle the case with the insurance company.
THE ACCIDENT SCENE should be investigated for information about how the accident occurred. The investigation should include obtaining skid mark measurements, photographing accident scene, speaking with additional witnesses, and measuring and diagramming the accident scene.
SEEK prompt medical treatment for you injuries. This is proof that you were in fact injured and the medical records generated by the medical provider will help establish the extent of your injuries. Have several photos from different angles and different lighting taken of your injuries as soon as possible after the accident. Keep a journal (injury diary) of your physical symptoms starting immediately after the accident and make entries every couple of days.
LEAVE your bike and other damaged property in the same state as it was after the accident. Take photos of all of your damaged equipment and accessories.
DO NOT communicate with the insurance company before consulting with an attorney. Most cyclists want to be fair and reasonable with the insurance company. When you communicate with the insurance company, they are gathering information. Unfortunately, a fair and honest account of the accident can be turned around and used against you later.
CONTACT Biclelaw.com or another personal injury attorney who understands bicycling. While many attorneys are competent to handle general injury cases, make sure your attorney is familiar and has experience with:
