Happy 2022!

I hope everyone is off to a great start to 2022!  I happen to be one of those born close to the New Year mark, so my transition from old year to new year is a three-day celebration.  Speaking of celebrations, a special celebration this year for the Florida Bicycle Association is our 25th Anniversary.  Today I share with you the column I wrote for our 2022 Winter Messenger.  Enjoy!

Why am I a member of FBA?

Usually, the question to me is, ‘Why should I join FBA?’ The answer, quite simply, is that it is the right thing to do.

I am one of the first 100 to join on the second formation of FBA.  The short version is that I had no interest in doing the work that the association stood for, but I was willing to support someone else who was and I have been a member ever since.  A member of the Florida Bicycle Association with no regrets because, at 25 years in, I know it is the right thing to do.

I can only imagine the various reasons to join just as there are various types of people and cyclists.  But is there common cause?  Is there the ONE reason that would have so many different people join FBA?

I recently made a comment during a Forward Pinellas Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting, a comment that falls under the category of what I call “Becky unplugged:”

“If all those trail users that are being counted were also members of the Florida Bicycle Association, we would have our way in Tallahassee.”

The September Pinellas Trail User Count had a 30-day total of 145,206 users.  Not that I envision 145,206 trail users storming Tallahassee, but if that collective voice were to be heard in the halls of the capital.. Wait, it kind of is being heard.

No, our current FBA membership is not 145,206, but oh, if it were!  No, the point I’m trying to make is that this association knows the value of trails, the value of roads and the value of just about anywhere one would bicycle.  We know the value, we encourage the use and we represent best practices as best we can at the state and federal level (local for Forward Pinellas because I live in Oldsmar).  For 25 years, it’s been the right thing to do for this association and its members.

I’m proud to be a member of the association.  I’m proud of the work the association accomplishes, especially over the last seven years as Executive Director.  The work and what this association stands for will continue because members like me believe in doing what is right.

Thank you for your FBA membership.  And if you happen to know any of the 145,206 Pinellas Trail users from September that are not members, please get them to join for this one simple reason – it’s the right thing to do.

Thank you for supporting the Florida Bicycle Association!