Friday, March 12, 2010

Google Bicycle Mapping

Everyone is talking about the new Google feature for bicycle mapping. Let us hear your thoughts.

Cyclists Voice Your Opinion at BBD Public Meeting

Bruce B Downs Blvd Transit Assessment – Public Meeting: April 1
Date: 6:30-8:30 pm, Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tampa Palms Elementary School, 6100 Tampa Palms Blvd
More Info: View draft report, an assessment of right-of-way available for rail or bus rapid transit in concert with reconstruction of Bruce B Downs Blvd to 6 lanes or 8 lanes wide between Bearss Ave and Palm Springs Blvd, conducted in partnership between Hillsborough County MPO and Hillsborough County Department of Public Works.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Julie Bond and Karen Kress Talk about Cycling on Radioactivity Live Call In

Bike Month featured on Radioactivity: Live Call In
02/22/10 Jon Butts
Radioactivity: Live Call-In (Monday) Listen to this entire show:
We started today’s program talking about our upcoming local Bicycle Month in March. Our guests were some of the organizers: Karen Kress with the Tampa Downtown Partnership and Julie Bond with the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida.

Bike Month activities will include biking contests, workshops, races, and other events throughout the month. Visit Tampa Bay Cycle for the complete schedule. The main safety issue that came up was how dangerous it is to ride against traffic

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Log Your Bicycle Miles and Win During March

Calling all Cyclists:

Log your miles during March via Bay Area Commuter Services Commuter Calendar and win fabulous prizes. While you are on the BACS website, remember to sign up for the free Emergency Ride Home Program. The website has all the rules and instructions to register and use the Commute Calendar. You will need to register with BACS. This is a free service funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Prizes will be awarded for most days and miles ridden. You can back track and log your trips within a one week time period.

Go to this link and join us during Florida Bike Month:https://www.rideproweb.com/bacs/

Best Workplaces for Commuters supports Bicycling to Work

Best Workplaces for Commuters encourages employers to offer high level commuter benefits. Bicycling is included! Read their latest feature on Treehugger or visit Best Workplaces for Commuters.

Ride your Bicycle to work, school, or play!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Tampa Bay Area Celebrates Florida Bike Month

Story Sources: Julie Bond
(813) 974-9799
New North Transportation Alliance
Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida
bond@cutr.usf.edu

Karen Kress
Tampa Downtown Partnership
(813) 221-3686
kkress@tampasdowntown.com



Tampa Bay Area Celebrates Florida Bike Month with Baycycle Events

TAMPA, Fla. (March 2, 2010) – The New North Transportation Alliance and the Tampa Downtown Partnership announce Tampa BayCycle during March in conjunction with Florida Bike Month. Tampa BayCycle is an initiative that encourages commuters to cycle to work, school or play all year.

This is the fourth year that events of this nature will be held in the Tampa Bay area. Tampa BayCycle is made possible through a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Each year Tampa BayCycle recruits “Ambassadors” and “Friends” to join more 1,000 cyclists that have already gotten involved. The Ambassadors are a group of bicyclists who know that riding a bike provides for a sound mind, fit body, and helps the environment. Those who join the Tampa BayCycle Ambassadors commit to encourage at least five other friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, community leaders, or anyone who wants to join the movement, to try biking instead of driving during the month of March. They gain recognition as local leaders and will be listed on the Tampa BayCycle website. Those who are recruited can become part of the Friends of Cycling, a long-term network of cyclists.
In addition to the Ambassadors and Friends of Cycling, activities are planned throughout the month of March, including a Words for Wheels essay contest, Safety Courses, Individual Commuter Challenge; downtown Tampa Criterium and more. A schedule of events can be found at http://www.tampabaycycle.com.

“We are encouraging people of all ages and abilities to ride bicycles to their destinations instead of driving” said Julie Bond, executive director, New North Transportation Alliance managed by the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. “Bicycle safety is a top priority and through education, bicyclists and motorists can share the roads more safely and enjoyably.”

Bond, an avid bicycle commuter herself hopes this month will bring greater visibility to the needs of cyclist in the Tampa Bay area. She also encourages cyclists and drivers to sign up for one of the Bicycle Street Skills classes offered during March at USF and downtown Tampa.

Area residents are invited to enter ‘Words for Wheels,’ an essay-based bike giveaway contest. To enter, participants should submit a 200-word essay detailing how winning a bike would change their lives.
“With Tampa BayCycle, we hope to generate an awareness of bicycling as a mode of transportation,” said Karen Kress, director of transportation and planning, Tampa Downtown Partnership, and a bikes on bus commuter. “Fifteen percent of trips are within one mile of home and could easily be taken by bicycle instead of car. With a helmet, proper safety skills and careful route choice, biking becomes a much more feasible and healthier way to get around.”
For additional information regarding Tampa BayCycle and a complete schedule of events, please visit www.TampaBayCycle.com.

Tampa BayCycle encourages commuters to cycle to work, school or play. Tampa BayCycle was recently formed through efforts of the New North Transportation Alliance and the Tampa Downtown Partnership. For more information, visit www.TampaBayCycle.com.

The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), established in 1988, has become recognized nationally and serves as an important resource for policymakers, transportation professionals, the education system, and the public. With emphasis on developing innovative, implementable solutions to transportation problems, CUTR provides high quality, objective transportation expertise in the form of technical support, policy analysis, and research support that translates directly into benefits for its project sponsors.



Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/usf.edu

Monday, March 1, 2010

WeCar and Tampa BayCycle Join at USF

Ride your bicycle to USF during March and rent a WeCar. You will receive a bicycle light or other goodie. Just email your trip to bond@cutr.usf.edu. Carsharing is available on the Tampa Campus and rentals begin at $7.50 per hour including gas and insurance.