Thanksgiving
The following was sent to FBA membership earlier this week. We felt it worth sharing on Thanksgiving day as this week’s blog:
Florida Bicycle Association is truly thankful for your membership and support. We exist to serve you and your fellow cyclists to create active and healthy communities through bicycling. Life is a beautiful ride!
Our work continues this holiday season as the 2017 Florida legislative session is right around the corner. Our immediate action is to pursue the expansion of the current Move Over law to include bicyclists and pedestrians.
This simple task moving forward requires a sponsor from both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. We need to ask and we need your help. Below for your review is language to use in asking legislators for their help:
Dear _______
The Florida Bicycle Association is asking for your help to save lives. We know there is a public safety concern with regards to traffic fatalities and it is our hope that the current Move Over law for emergency vehicles [FS 316.126(b)] WOULD be expanded to include bicyclists and pedestrians – we feel PEOPLE need to be part of this important law, including first responders and service employees. The inclusion of bicyclists would replace the current 3-Foot Passing law [FS 316.083] with a clear, enforceable law.
We appreciate your consideration and are willing to work with you as a bill sponsor to improve this law. Please contact legcom@fbamembership.org if interested.
Thank you for your time,
__________________
FBA will ask each and every Florida legislator and along with your ask, how could anyone say no? Who is your elected official? Use this link:
Our complete legislative strategy may be found in our Members Area under Documents.
Did you know? 2017 marks our 20th Anniversary – time to celebrate! Show your support for FBA by sending your action bicycle photos during our “Share for Socks” campaign. You could win a pair of limited edition 20th Anniversary FBA SockGuy socks! Email your action photos to becky@floridabicycle.net.
Our online survey is still open! Please take our 4 question survey using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FBA2016membershipsurvey. The survey will remain open until November 30th.
Vision Zero Florida: Our plan is simple, in advance of the legislative session, we are reaching out to our network of bicycles shops, clubs, members and regional advocates to sign the Vision Zero Florida petition. If you envision a state that cares for its residents and visitors by having a goal of ZERO fatalities on our roads, then please help us by sharing the petition with your friends, family and social media outlets: https://floridabicycle.net/vision-zero-florida/. If you’re OK with death on the streets, please disregard.
It’s here! Resources by the FDOT is now live – check it out! Help FBA populate the information by emailing missing information links to becky@floridabicycle.net
New program: FBA is looking to create a Ride Leader educational program for bicycle clubs with the intention of having club ride leaders “graduate” to become certified Ride Marshals for cycling events across the state. The primary focus will be to create consistent education and best practices for club ride leaders and event ride marshals. Does your club already have a ride leader program? If so, please share your best practices with Florida Bicycle Association. You may reach Becky at Becky@floridabicycle.net. We appreciate the responses, keep ’em coming!
Links to additional information:
Florida Driver’s License Handbook
Florida Bicycle & Pedestrian Law Enforcement Guide
Note: The FBA 5-year business plan and other documents may be found on the ClubExpress members page by clicking the blue Documents tab on the left. The “Shared Best Practices” folder contains the business plan and Florida bike month draft proclamation. If you wish to see additional materials available to membership, please contact Becky at Becky@floridabicycle.net
Your continued support of Florida Bicycle Association is creating wonderful things for Florida bicyclists. Together we are making positive happen! Ride BIG and proud as members of the Florida Bicycle Association. Get everyone you know to be a part of the solution and have them join FBA.
Let’s ride together!
On behalf of the Florida Bicycle Association Board of Directors and Advisory Board,
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Thank your bicycle hero with a 2016 FBA Annual Award nomination! Use this LINK to submit your nomination online today. Deadline for 2016 FBA Annual Award nominations January 31, 2017. Recipients announced March 1, 2017 to kick off Florida Bike Month!
Do you have a bicycle story to tell? Photos to share? Be our guest and be our next guest blogger! Send your story and photos to Becky@floridabicycle.net.
Speaking of stories, our quarterly Messenger newsletter is available online for your internet reading pleasure. Visit the FBA website Home page or click here. Want a hard copy of our Messenger? Join Florida Bicycle Association or visit one of our bicycle shop members!
Complete Streets Savvy, or CSS, is a general bicycle educational presentation. The purpose is to provide basic information with regards to the Florida Department of Transportation’s adoption of Complete Streets policy and how cyclists and motorists can share the road safely. This presentation runs 10 – 15 minutes and is designed for legislators, civic organizations and other entities that meet regularly and need informative content. There is no fee. Make your request for CSS today!
Bike Florida and Florida Bicycle Association share a common cause in bicycle education for residents and visitors to the Sunshine State. Share the Road license plate proceeds benefit Bike Florida and Florida Bicycle Association to further these bicycle educational efforts. What’s on your motor vehicle? Get the Share the Road license plate!
