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Newsletter

Bike/Walk Central Florida Newsletter #66 — May 11, 2012

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Bike/Walk Central Florida

CELEBRATING NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

News

Successful First Friday Ride
Thanks to all who came out on May 4th for the First Friday Ride! It was a blast. See you next month!

Join us tomorrow (Saturday, May 12) for the I-Drive 5K

We’ll be next to Orlando Health, spreading the pedestrian safety gospel. Details, here

Cycling Humor

Tom Snyders is The Bicycling Comedian. He tours on his bicycle and his comedy routine draws on his adventures and misadventures in the saddle.  Tom asked us to let you know he will be performing at the Orlando Fringe Festival. His show is called “You Can’t Bring that Bike in Here!” Click here for show times and information.

Bike to School Day

May is National Bike Month. Check out this video capturing Colonial High School students riding to school on Bike to School Day!

Operation Best Foot Forward

On May 30, civic leaders, law enforcement, trauma doctors and transportation professionals will come together in an unprecedented community-wide effort to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries. State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and pedestrians to yield to cars when crossing outside of a crosswalk. The five-year initiative will start in Orange County and expand into Seminole and Osceola counties as resources permit. Four cities, two towns, and Orange County are working on resolutions supporting the initiative. Orlando Police Department has trained 24 officers. Orange County Sheriff’s office plans to train 40 more. Police agencies in Winter Park, Maitland and Eatonville, and police chiefs from throughout Orange County, have pledged their support to the initiative, launched by Bike/Walk Central Florida with financial support from the Winter Park Health Foundation and MetroPlan Orlando.

Florida law states that drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing with a walk signal, or trying to cross at an unsignalized intersection. In Orange County, the fine for failure to yield is $164 and 3 points on your drivers license. And yet, our baseline data shows that, on average, only about five percent of drivers obey this law.

The Orange County School Board plans to review our pedestrian education curriculum this summer for possible use, districtwide, in the fall. This is a significant development. Fingers crossed.

When was the last time you saved a life?  Your contributions of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, or more, can make a big difference. Checks should be made out to the Florida Bicycle Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and mailed to: Betsy Holl at: P.O. Box 916715, Longwood, FL  32793-6715. Please specify that you are donating to Best Foot Forward.

May Cycling Savvy Class 

Register for this month’s (May) Cycling Savvy class now! It is the weekend of May 18 & 19. Attendees will learn how to drive their bikes safely in the streets and will learn the rules of the road as they apply to bikes. Hope to see you there!

Ride to Work With Mayor Buddy

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s annual ride to work day has been scheduled for May 25th. Please note that this is a week later than the previously announced date.

Win a new commuter bike

http://www.terrybicycles.com/RIF

Events

Community Calendar Link 

  http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/community-calendar/

Recurring Rides

(The next First Friday ride is June 1st!)

First Fridays: Take it to the streets bike ride to promote civility: 6 p.m. on the First Friday of each month. Check our Facebook Fan page for start locations.

UCF Bike Bus: Downtown Orlando to UCF, then UCF to Downtown Orlando. Follow bike bus in real time via GPS at http://commuteorlando.com/bikebus/

Ride With Steve: Beginner ride. Meet at Winter Garden Wheel Works in Downtown Winter Garden, 8 a.m., Saturdays. – Sponsored by Winter Garden Wheel Works  .

See our Calendar for other family rides:

www.bikewalkcentralflorida.org

 

S-Cargo farmers market rides featuring utility bikes and trailers

Ice Cream Socials: night rides through Downtown Orlando

 

Unless specifically designated as a trail ride, our rides take place on public streets. Headlights and red rear flashers are required for night rides. Helmets are encouraged, and are required for children under 16.

We observe all traffic laws and traffic signals.

Our rides are typically 10 to 15 miles, roundtrip, and average 10 miles an hour, a comfortable pace for most adults and teens. May be too fast for younger children and adults with health issues.

 

These rides are social in nature.

For longer, more aggressive group rides, subscribe to Hal Downing’s group ride newsletter by emailing [email protected] .

If you have a social ride you would like us to help promote, please email me at the address below.

Brad

Brad Kuhn

Executive Director

[email protected]

Bike/Walk Central Florida Would like to thank our sponsors: