Since 2012, Best Foot Forward (BFF), a program of Bike Walk Central Florida (BWCF) has been diligently enforcing Operation BFF all over Central Florida. It started with a small group of concerned citizens, politicians, transit officials, and police officers but quickly grew into a larger initiative. When Sheriff Jerry Demings and other Orlando and Orange County law enforcement launched the first enforcement crackdown several years ago to change driver behavior, a mere 17% of drivers yielded at crosswalks on streets under 35 mph. Five years after the formation of BFF, that number increased to 56% of drivers yielding (a 36% increase), making roads much safer for people on foot and bike.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) recently conducted an enforcement crackdown at six busy crosswalks on June 13, 2018. Thirty-eight citations and six warnings were given at these crosswalks, adding to the grand total of 7, 566 total citations and warnings given out by the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office through BFF alone.
With the help of Officers like Sheriff Demings, BFF has grown into a powerful coalition that reaches thousands of people in Central Florida with its simple message: yield to pedestrians and cyclists. The original goal of BFF remains the primary goal today: to increase driver yield rates at crosswalks by focusing on the 3 E’s: education, enforcement and engineering. With the help of police enforcement and public awareness, we can make Central Florida a safe environment for everyone.
A huge thank you to Sheriff Demings for putting together this video and reminding drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike to stay safe and alert.
