Friday Bike to Work Day Rides

7:45 a.m., Friday, May 21 – Representatives of Bike/Walk Central Florida and Commute Orlando will be leading a “Bike Bus” from the Cady Way trailhead at Orlando Fashion Square to Downtown Orlando and then on to Winter Park.

The object of this ride is a highly-visible, law-abiding group. We will ride at an easy pace, claim our lane, obey all traffic signals and communicate that cyclists are drivers.

If you’re feeling extra ambitious, a small group of us will be riding out to meet the Colonial High School bike bus. We’ll leave Cady Way trail head around 5:40 AM. Trust me, the experience is well worth the early wake-up call (and I am no morning person). If you plan to join, please give me a heads-up via the comments or email.

Here is the BWCF Press release:

Bike/Walk Central Florida Partners With Commute Orlando To Promote Savvy Cycling on Bike-To-Work Day

ORLANDO, Fla. – May 19, 2010 –On Friday, May 21st, commuters from around Central Florida will observe National Bike-To-Work Day. For many, this will be the first time they’ve ridden a bicycle in months, or even years.

With that in mind, Bike/Walk Central Florida has teamed up with Commute Orlando to offer these Three Keys to Savvy Cycling to increase bicycle commuter comfort and reduce the risk of crashes.

Key 1: Stay off the sidewalk, ride with the flow of traffic.

The most important rule of savvy cycling and the least understood. Bicyclists are vehicle operators with the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers. Most bicycle crashes are caused, not by drivers of cars, but by bicyclists riding on sidewalks, or riding against traffic.

Key 2: Ride BIG!

Few automobile operators would hit a bicyclist on purpose. Most bike/car crashes occur because the automobile driver simply didn’t see the cyclist – because the bicyclist was riding on a sidewalk, outside the normal vehicular flow, or at night without proper lighting. Cyclists should strive to make themselves as visible as possible, by positioning themselves far enough toward the center of the lane that a motorist must change lanes to pass, as if passing another car. In a bike lane, cyclists need to be aware that they are outside the normal sight line for automobile drivers and should move into the travel lane at intersections for better visibility. Automobile operators have a lot to think about. A savvy cyclist tries to be as visible as possible.

Key 3: Communicate

One of the biggest complaints from automobile operators about bicyclists is that cyclists behave unpredictably – like squirrels or rabbits. A savvy cyclist can dramatically improve relations with automobile operators by clearly telegraphing intentions, through proper lane position, hand signals and confident, controlled lane changes.

Bicycles and cars can and do cooperate on the road. A savvy cyclist takes every opportunity to reinforce this relationship by accepting the responsibilities along with the rights of the road.

About Bike/Walk Central Florida

Bike/Walk Central Florida is a local chapter of the not-for-profit Florida Bicycle Association formed to promote healthy lifestyles and a vibrant community by: encouraging more people to walk and ride bicycles, ensuring that roads are designed with the needs of all users in mind, and fostering an environment of civility and respect for shared use of roads in Orange and Seminole counties. Bike/Walk Central Florida was funded in 2010 by a grant from the Winter Park Health Foundation, on the recommendation of the Civility Coalition – a diverse group of drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, law enforcement, safety councils, transportation officials and other stakeholders in Orange and Seminole Counties, dedicated to creating a safe, civil and friendly traffic environment that supports walking and cycling for fun, fitness and transportation.

About Commute Orlando

Commute Orlando is a web-based community for Orlando Metro Area cyclists who are currently using their bikes for transportation, or want to. Commuting by bike is a great way to save money, get exercise, unwind and feel like you’re doing something good for yourself and the environment.

Media Availability

6:30 a.m., Friday, May 21 — The Colonial High Cycling Club will be catching the “Bike Bus” to school. Students will meet at the Publix shopping plaza at Chickasaw and Curry Ford Road at 6:30 a.m., and will ride to school as a “bike bus,” picking up other students as they go. They will enter through the back of the school and will meet in the center of the high school for refreshments. Colonial High administrators will be opening the locker rooms at 6:45 to make showers available for students who decide to ride to school that day.

7:45 a.m., Friday, May 21 – Representatives of Bike/Walk Central Florida and Commute Orlando will be leading a “Bike Bus” from the Cady Way trailhead at Orlando Fashion Square to Downtown Orlando and then on to Winter Park.

3 replies
  1. Mighk
    Mighk says:

    I sure wish I could be there! But I’ll be in Tallahassee in the Governor’s office explaining why the mandatory bike lane use law is bad for cyclists.

    Putting out bad fires is a lot less enjoyable than starting good ones.

  2. LisaB
    LisaB says:

    I’ll be there (yawn).

    Mighk, we’ll miss you tomorrow. But I’m glad you’re representing us in Tallahassee. Good luck.

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