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News
Big Thunder Moon Ride – Tonight!
Diana, of Commute Orlando has organized a pre-fourth night ride. Even though it is a weeknight, many of us aren’t working the following day for the holiday. We’ll meet up at 7:00 PM at the Cady Way trailhead behind Fashion Square Mall. Keri Caffrey has a great scenic route planned for us. We’ll ride at an easy, social pace, and enjoy the night. The moon rises at 8:23 PM. Hope for good weather. They don’t call it the Full Thunder Moon for nothing, especially here in Florida. (Photo courtesy of Commute Orlando)
 Surprising Florida Pedestrian Laws
How confident are you that you know all there is to know about pedestrian safety here in Florida? Pretty confident? Even so, click here to read this page set up by Mighk Wilson, Smart Growth Planner for MetroPlan Orlando. He has cleared up many gray areas in our understanding of pedestrian laws. You might just learn something new and save a life.
Roads are for all users, not just cars
Usually Winter Park is nice and quiet, with little harrassment of cyclists. But recently one of our regular correspondents on her way to the Winter Park Farmers’ Market was harrassed by a drive — not for blocking the road, but simply for being in the road. Our correspondent was taking residential streets to avoid busier streets where drivers are more likely to get frustrated with cyclists. She and a friend met up and were just crossing the intersection of New York and Fairbanks, where the road narrows, when the driver of a car behind them revved his engine and sped around, not taking the ample space available to pass, but buzzing them with a close pass to send a hostile message. The incident was captured on an iPhone and forwarded to the Winter Park police, who said they’d follow up.
Founders gone. Bike Bus to Roll On
Bike/Walk Central Florida bid a fond farewell to Bike Bus founders Jason Buckner and Kitzzy Aviles who are, at publication, en route to their new home in San Francisco. Thanks to Masa Ishigami and Jason Reichow for stepping up to keep things rolling. Riders can keep up with the schedule through the Central Florida Bike Bus fan page on Facebook.
Bicycle Parking Map
From our friends at Commute Orlando: Peter Martinez has created a collaborative Bike Parking map, designed to help Bicyclists plan their routes, and park their bikes on secure racks, rather than a stop sign or a tree. This can also help us advise business of the need for a rack, better placement, or even reward them for doing it right! Read more . . .
Calling all HOAs
This week marks the beginning of our community outreach campaign. Over the summer we will be contacting every homeowners association registered with Orange County and the City of Orlando to enlist their help in getting our pedestrian safety message out to their membership. Big thanks to the Grovehurst Homeowners Association in Winter Garden for being one of the first to embrace the cause. See their post here.
Next steering committee meeting, 9 a.m., July 24th
The Best Foot Forward Steering Committee will meet in the MetroPlan Orlando board room, 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 24th.
About Best Foot Forward
State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and pedestrians to yield to cars when crossing outside of a crosswalk. 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 five-year initiative is currently focused on Orange County and expand into Seminole and Osceola counties as resources permit. Five cities, two towns, and Orange County have passed resolutions supporting the initiative. Orlando Police Department has trained 24 officers. Orange County Sheriff’s office, this week trained 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 and the Florida Bicycle Association, with financial support from the Winter Park Health Foundation and MetroPlan Orlando.
We have met with representatives of Orange County Public Schools. Outgoing Superintendent Ronald Blocker spoke at our kickoff. And we hope to be able to negotiate the addition of pedestrian safety curriculum grades K-5 as early as this fall.
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.
Events
Community Calendar Link
http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/community-calendar/
Recurring Rides
(The next First Friday ride is July 6)
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:
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Transforming Central Florida into a Premier Biking and Walking Community! 
