Bicycling Is Better Than Ritalin

Fascinating read about how bicycling can treat attention disorder.

Two Great American Pastimes: Bicycling and Baseball

On Tuesday, I snuck in a quick 48-miler to the Philadelphia Phillies spring training stadium where the 2009 NL champs Phillies hosted the Detroit Tigers.

I was impressed with the number of bicyclists tho pedaled to the game. There were so many bicycles that there was not enough room at the bike racks for them.




In the age of the specialists in baseball -- long reliever, short reliever, fat reliever -- there's also a new job. Here are two foul ball catchers who work outside the ballpark to catch foul balls that leave the park stadium.


I followed the Clearwater east-west trail to Safety Harbor and Oldsmar, where I picked up Hillsborough Aveue for the ride back to Seminole Heights.

Looks Like Emails Saved The Florida State Office Of Greenways and Trails

Looks like the emails sent to the Florida Senate committee that was considering cutting the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails worked today.

Jennifer Bartlett at Sprinkle Consulting was among those who wrote to the state senators who sit on the Senate General Government Appropriations Committee and got this response:

"Thank you for your email regarding the Office of Greenway and Trails. I support fully funding this program and I am actively working to avoid this merger.

I am proud to tell you it appears we have now saved full funding except for the elimination of two already vacant positions. I will continue to work on this issue, also, to assure that it remains funded.

Thank you again for writing.

-Charlie"

By Charlie, I'm assuming state Sen. Charlie Dean.

Nice work everyone who contacted the state senators on this committee.

Florida State Senate Committee Discusses Eliminating Office of Greenways and Trails

Last week, in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Transportation Secretary voices his support for bicycling.

This week, here in Florida, members of the Senate General Government Appropriations Committee will be chatting about the elimination of the Office of Greenways and Trails.

The committee meets tomorrow, March 16 -- so I join the Florida Bicycle Association in asking to please email the following Committee Members to tell them the importance of greenways and trails in Florida:

Chair: Senator Carey Baker (R) -- baker.carey.web@flsenate.gov

Vice Chair: Senator Alfred "Al" Lawson, Jr. (D) -- lawson.alfred.web@flsenate.gov
(last year Senator Lawson made a proposal that saved OGT)

Senator Dave Aronberg (D) -- aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Charles S. "Charlie" Dean, Sr. (R) -- dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Steve Oelrich (R) -- oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov


Below is a sample letter:

I am writing to urge you to reject a proposal to eliminate the Office of Greenways and Trails and merge its functions with the state park system. The elimination of the 16 positions that run the Greenways and Trails program would essentially kill one of the shining stars of Florida's recreation and tourism businesses, all to save $1 million. The Greenways and Trails system receives 4 million visitors a year in Florida and has an economic impact of $95 million a year. This program cannot run without a staff and this small investment is yielding strong returns on our investment.

Just as the country is focused on alternative forms of transportation and on more healthy lifestyles to fight obesity, Florida would be eliminating one of its most successful programs to make progress on both those fronts. The residents and visitors of Florida consider the greenways and trails important to the quality of life here and what brings visitors back each year. I urge you to make smart economic decisions when you make budget cuts, and this proposal is not one of them. This office actually brings in revenues to the state.

Not only would this proposal shoot Florida in the foot economically but it would make Florida's bicycle and pedestrian safety situation even worse. From 2001 to 2008, the last year recorded, Florida has either been #1 or in the top 3 in the nation, in both bicycle and pedestrian fatalities. 1 out of 10 pedestrian fatalities occurs in Florida. 1 out of 6 bicycle fatalities occurs in Florida.

Florida needs safe places to walk and ride a bicycle.

Voices From The Bike Summit

I have fond memories of last week's National Bike Summit, which offered this very cool video.

Also, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced last week his support for bicycling.

This was a quote from LaHood's blog:

"Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.

We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities."

You should consider attending next year's Bike Summit. Here's 10 reasons why.

Flatwoods Looking All Wet

No wonder the Squiggy was postponed this past weekend. Much of the land around Flatwoods County Park was under water.

True the area is a flood plain, but this unusual wet winter has left more water around the park than anyone can remember. I made it through Clay Gully today, but another bicyclist turned around.


It's going to be a while we can bike on the trail along here. Good thing for the bridge, though there was some water waiting for you on the other side of the bridge.

Easy Rider: Another Recumbent Cyclist Is Born

Look who is biking a new recumbent.