| LOCAL News
One Less Car, One More Park
 The City of Orlando is sponsoring a great event on Friday, January 11th. One Less Car, One More Park is based upon Park(ing) Day, an event that began in 2005 in San Francisco. Several organizations and businesses will sponsor parking spots in front of City Hall, feed the meter for the day, and turn those spots into mini- parks. Park(ing) Day has become a six-continent event over the past few years. For a slideshow of past Park(ing) Day events, see here. For details about Orlando’s event see here.
OPD Bike Patrol
Did you even wonder what it takes to be a member of the Orlando Police Department Bike Patrol, or why a police officer would choose a bike over a car? With this audience, that is most likely a no-brainer. The Orlando Police Bike Unit started in 1992 with twenty eight bikes and today has nearly doubled that in three  areas of operation: Downtown (26 bikes), Parramore Heritage (8 bikes) and International Drive (20 bikes). According to Sgt. Ernest Payne, many officers have chosen the Bike Patrol because they feel more approachable and have better rapport with the people in their community. Sgt. Payne says that the move to the Bike Patrol has invigorated many officers’ careers; they are healthier and more fit than ever; they eat well to maintain the level of fitness required; and they get a good cardio workout, making them better able to drop the bike and chase suspects on foot, than some of their associates in automobiles. For the gearheads, the Orlando Bike Patrol currently uses the Cannondale Law Enforcement mountain bike. The 2013 version comes fully loaded, equipped with disc brakes and 22-hour LED lighting, and costs about $1500.00 – a small price to pay for a much-appreciated community service. The Law Enforcement Bicycle Association LEBA website has a good video about the certification training. Currently, there are five LEBA-certified instructors in the Orlando Police Department.
Colloquium In Orlando
 Florida Bicycle Association, Commute Orlando and Cycling Savvy are sponsoring the I am Traffic Bicycle Education Colloquium February 23 and 24th at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown Orlando. More information to come.
  
Wheels for Kids 2012
 Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan began the Wheels for Kids program in 2002 after several school bus routes from the Reeves Terrace neighborhood were eliminated due to funding cuts. Several local and national businesses have worked together ever since to ensure that students have bicycles, helmets, chains and bike locks to travel safely to school. Since 2002, over 900 bikes have been donated and given away. Fire Station #1 became Santa’s Workshop in December, assembling 80 bikes, and on December 22nd, Santa, with the help of Commissioner Sheehan and others, gave them to the children of Reeves Terrace. See here for a video of the 2011 giveaway.
Save The Date
Pencil these dates in now for some great Spring cycling. Now is also the time to get sponsorships or become a sponsor for Bike MS.
 March 23-29, 2013. Orange Blossom Special Spring Tour. Details here.
April 20-21, 2013 Bike MS: Citrus Tour. Sponsorship details here.
OTHER News
For the Winter Rider
 If you are headed for colder climes and determined to take your bike wth you, you might want to check out these video tips and other blogs before deciding what cold weather apparel will suit your type of bicycling and your budget. Once you are prepared for the cold, it’s time to prepare your bike. Here is a good discussion on bike prepping and ongoing winter care.
If You Are Heading to NYC… 
New York City has stiff fines for bicyclists who run red lights. More here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 4, 2013
See details below under Recurring Rides.
Orlando City Hall, 9 am to 3 pm. Curious? See a video here.
January 26, 2013
See here for details.
RESOURCES
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. Read more . . .
 Best Foot Forward is a community-wide coalition formed to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries in Metro Orlando.The five-year initiative is currently focused on Orange County and will 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, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, 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, MetroPlan Orlando, Orange County, City of Orlando, Florida Department of Transportation, Orlando Police Department, Orange Cycle, David’s World Cycle, and Track Shack.
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 32791-6715. Please specify that you are donating to Best Foot Forward.
Community Calendar Link
http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/community-calendar/
RECURRING RIDES
First Fridays: Take it to the Streets bike ride to promote civility: 6 p.m. on the First Friday of each month (Upcoming Dates, January 4, 2013, February 1, 2013).
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 .
Sunday Ride in the Hills: Ride 30-plus miles through the hills of Clermont and Mineola, Sundays mornings at 7am, beginning at David’s World Cycle. Call Ross at 407-654-7071 to confirm.
See our Community Calendar for other family rides: www.bikewalkcentralflorida.org
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 challenging 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
brad@bikewalkcentralflorida.org
Bike/Walk Central Florida Would like to thank our sponsors:
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Transforming Central Florida into a Premier Biking and Walking Community! 
