PFLAG Tallahassee

Tallahassee's BikeWalk Network has been defunct for some time now. There is another great organization I am involved with that I am happy to promote: http://www.pflag-tallahassee.org/

Visit our new website.

Winding Down

The BikeWalk Network, the not-for-profit that we started a few years ago is dissolved now. We closed out our bank account and gave a cashier's check to Krank It Up a week ago. Each of our core members was pulled in a different direction with family and business obligations. We ran out of energy. It can happen.

This blog lives on. I imagine I'll still post the occassional rant here from time to time. Honestly, I'm not walking or riding very much these days. I drive to work (one in a car) and back home and spend time with my kids. For now. When they are a little older our schedule may be more flexible. We may have more time for riding and walking.

Three Feet Please

I just picked up my Three Feet Please jerseys today. They look sweet. What I love about the three feet jersey is that it targets the message to where it needs to be--into traffic. It gives information to drivers on the road. I love it.

The genius behind this jersey is Joe Mizereck, who is not only a Tallahassean, but also a supporter of The BikeWalk Network. His website where you can order your very own three feet jersey is www.3feetplease.com.

Thanks, Joe.

Second Wind

This blog has been inactive for quite some time. We're back. The unfortunate impetus is the recent deaths of two bicyclists in Tallahassee, killed by motorists.

For now, here are several links to the local fishwrapper and the spate of bicycle-related writing.

Man arrested after hit-and-run crash involving cyclist

Voice your concerns about bicycle, pedestrian safety

Our Opinion: Pedestrians, motorists must share the road

That middle link includes an invitation from the media to comment to a reporter:
Please contact public safety reporter Nic Corbett before Wednesday about what you think the community should do to prevent similar crashes from happening. Corbett may be reached at (850) 599-2161 or ncorbett@tallahassee.com. Please include your name and number.

The Carfree Database is a searchable database of cities from the 2000 census and the 1990 census. You can search by state and by range of population, and it will give you a table with % bike commuters, % pedestrian commuters, % public transit commuters, total % non-car commuters (sum of bike/ped/transit), and % households without an automobile.

http://www.bikesatwork.com/carfree/census-form.shtml

It is *really* interesting to sort and compare (it is VERY easy to use). If you try it, see what happens when looking at all places vs. comparing "likes," e.g., cities (or towns) of certain population ranges. It's also very interesting to look at all the commute modes -- what are the public transit rates like in places with high bike commuter %s , and vice versa?

And trends, 1990 vs. 2000. etc. I know we all know about the data, it's just that I hadn't see it so readily accessible elsewhere.

Here are some stats on Tallahassee.

Ride of Silence

May 16th was the day of the Ride of Silence, a worldwide remembrance ride for our fellow cyclists who have been killed while riding. From their website:

On May 16, 2007, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence™ will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

In Tallahssee the ride was organized by Roger Holdener. Four cyclists participated, up from one sole cyclist last year. The ride started at Tom Brown Park at 6:00 p.m. and followed the Park-Call corridor to the downtown, then took Adams Street to the Capitol, where we stopped in front of the Old Capitol building for a photo.

The four riders are Mike Dunaway, Dwight Kingsbury, Roger Holdener, and Chris Sands. Next year we hope to see another fourfold increase in participants.

Walking Bus!?!

Completely brilliant cat-herding from across the pond. It's a new innovation in safe ways to school:
The Walking Bus.
From their website:

Each walking bus had an adult 'driver' at the front and and an adult 'conductor' bringing up the rear. The children walk to school in a group along a set route picking up additional 'passengers' at specific 'bus-stops' along the way.

The bus runs rain or shine and everyone wears a reflective jacket. Along the way children can chat to their friends, learn valuable road safety skills and gain some independence.