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Summer 2022Page 3Board of DirectorsCity names denote board and program staff member distribution. Is your area represented? Contact a board member todaCourtney Reynolds, President –careynolds2016@gmail.com, LongwoodEric Draper, Director – Wericdraper@gmail.com, TallahasseePatricia Huff, Vice President –snookcity@gmail.com, Everglades CityMark Schiefer, Director – schtrail@verizon.net, VeniceCaitlin Cerame, Secretary –caitlincer@gmail.com, PensacolaConroy Jacobs, Director – Jacobssdco@gmail.com, Palm Bay10Pensacola10TallahasseeEli Stiers, Director – eli.stiers@gmail.com, MiamiOcala75LongwoodStaff4Becky Afonso, Executive Director – becky@floridabicycle.org, 813-748-1513, OldsmarEd Barsotti, Bicycle Infrastructure Assistance Program Director – ed@floridabicycle.org, OcalaBICYCLE ASSOCIATIONOldsmarPalmBay(FBA HQ)Advisory Councilwww.floridabicycle.orgHugh Aaron, Bike Walk Indian River County, hugh@theaarons.comWorking Together toBuild a Bicycle-friendly FloridaJason Aufdenberg, Chair, River to Sea TPO Bicycle/Pedestrian AdvisoryCommittee and Board Director of the St Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance,jason.aufdenberg@gmail.comChris Burns, Chair, Jacksonville Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee,chris@floridacyclinglaw.comKeri Caffrey, Co-Founder, CyclingSavvy. Program Consultant, AmericanBicycling Education Association, keri@abea.bikeV Christiansen, Multimodal Planner, vanechristiansen@altago.comJulie Christesen, jhc05d@gmail.comDan Connaughton, Director Florida Traffic & Bicycle Safety Education Program,danc@hhp.ufl.eduJim Dodson, Past Secretary, FBA, jim@jwdodsonlaw.comDavid Henderson, Past President, FBA, david33146@aol.comHenry N. Lawrence, III, Past President & Founding Member, FBA,hnlbicycle@gmail.comChris LeDew, City of Jacksonville Chief of Traffic Engineering, cledew@comcast.netBrett A Livingston, Orlando Cycling Enthusiast, rickshawrocket@gmail.comLaura Minns, Transit/Rail Lead Planner, laura67@gmail.comDan Moser, Bike/Ped/Traffic Safety Consultant, bikepedmoser@gmail.comYvonne Nyakana, Black Girls Do Bike/Miami, gobavm@gmail.comSteele Olmstead, Past President, FBA, floridabicyclelaw@jsteelelaw.comAngelo Rao, Past Vice President, angelaryan25@yahoo.comAngela Ryan, Past Vice President, angelaryan25@yahoo.comPaula Saracki, FBA Messenger, paula@impactgrafx.comFBA ANNUALMEMBERSHIP MEETINGSaturday, July 23, 1-4 PMTECO Hall at the Oldsmar Public Library400 St. Petersburg Drive East, Oldsmar, FL 34677Make your plans to join the FBA Board of Directors forour Annual Membership meeting on Saturday, July 23, inOldsmar (FBA Headquarters!).2022 marks our25th Anniversary celebrationand there will be prizes!Members and soon-to-bemembers are invited to attend.Snacks and other goodiesprovided along with informationand idea sharing from YOU!EST. 199775VeniceEvergladesCity75MiamiOUR MISSION: is to encourage more people to bicycle througheducation and advocacy.OUR V I S I ON: is for bicycling to be safe, accepted and encouragedin Florida.OUR PURPOSE: Protect and advance the interest of bicyclists Educate the public about sharing roadways and paths with people on bicycles Encourage the creation of great places to ride Continue to grow as a financially stable, well-managed organizationHelp Us Grow the Base! Give to FBAThe Florida Bicycle Association was founded by people like you who want to make Floridaa better place to ride a bicycle. Our projects and programs that benefit bicyclists are madepossible primarily through membership and sponsorship to our organization. Simply put,without membership, sponsorship and donations, the Florida Bicycle Association would notexist. Keep bicycle enjoyment alive in Florida and help us in the fight against bicycle fatalities,Join FBA!Did you know your membership donation to FBA is tax-deductible?FBA is a 501(c)(3) education and charitable nonprofit corporation. You can join FBAonline or download and mail an application from our website, www.floridabicycle.org. Youcan request an application to be mailed to you by contacting Becky Afonso at 813-748-1513.Does your place of employment offer matching gifts tonon-profits? Think FBA!Bicycling is one of life’s simple pleasures to enjoy, not fear. Join or donate to the FloridaBicycle Association and let’s ride together for Florida bicycling excellence. Contact BeckyAfonso at becky@floridabicycle.org for more information on ways to donate to FBA.The Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) was incorporated in 1997 for educational and charitable purposes. FBA is a not-forprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations, including membershipdues, are tax deductible. A copy of the current financial statements may be obtained by contacting FBA.To become a member supporter of FBA, join online at www.fbamembership.orgThe Messenger is published quarterly as a service to members and advocates for a bicycle-friendly Florida by the:Florida Bicycle Association, P.O. Box 2452, Oldsmar, FL 34677www.floridabicycle.org e-mail: Becky@floridabicycle.org Phone: 813-748-1513Messenger Copy and Advertising Information and Deadlines:FBA Membership includes a subscription to the Messenger.The FBA accepts and welcomes your advertising!Deadlines:Please see the website for rates and specifications or e-mail: Becky@floridabicycle.Winter Issue – November 15org. Publishers reserve the right to review advertising content and to reject advertisingSpring Issue – February 15that, in the opinion of the Association, is neither in the best interest of FBA’s membersSummer Issue – May 15nor its goals and objectives. Although we carefully review articles and informationAutumn Issue – August 15submitted, FBA is not responsible for the information or opinions contained hereinunless explicitly stated as official policy of FBA. 2021 Florida Bicycle Association all rights reservedA copy of the official registration and financial information (ch9008) may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. http:/www.800helpfla.com/

Page 4Florida Bicycle AssociationDaytona Beach UpdateSince the first public meeting in August2019, people who walk, bike and roll inDaytona Beach have been looking forwardto the three-to-two lane reduction (roaddiet) of one-way, eastbound Oakridge Blvd(SR 430) between the intracoastal waterwayand the beach. Before the conversion,Oakridge Blvd had no bike lane or shoulder.Now there’s a bike lane and grassy bufferbetween the bike lane and sidewalk.Originally the bike lane was designed asa conventional 7-foot buffered (with paintonly) bike lane, however, the final designfeatures protected curbs spaced within theouter buffer of the bike lane. The Zippercurb system, designed by the Spanishcompany Zicla based in Barcelona, is madefrom 100% recycled plastic. The whitecurb tops, just under 5-inches high, areretroreflective. The curb segments measure44 inches in length with a similar lengthspacing between them. The curbs exhibit avertical profile on the side facing the travellane and a sloped profile facing the bikelane. This is not only the first of its typebike lane in Daytona Beach, but in all ofthe Florida Department of Transportation’sDistrict 5.(above) My first ride, in late February, on the new(and first Zicla-Zipper) curb-protected bike lanein Daytona Beach, running along Oakridge Blvd(SR 430) for 4.5 blocks.(right) Sneak peek of the reconstructed trail, partof the Riverfront Esplanade in Daytona Beach dueto open on June 4th.More information @ www.cflroads.com/project/449490-1.Jason has been teaching physics and astronomyat Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University inDaytona Beach since 2006. He has been bicyclingfor transportation for 28 years and has servedon the River-to-Sea Transportation PlanningOrganization’s Bicycle Pedestrian AdvisoryCommittee, representing Volusia-at-Large, since2012 and has served on the board of directors ofthe St Johns River to Sea Loop Alliance since 2016.He is a member of FBA and its Advisory Council.He has developed a free bicycle map for DaytonaBeach the works on iOS and Android phones, moreinfo at bicycledaytona.org.by Jason Aufdenberg,FBA Advisory CouncilState Road 430 splits into OakridgeBlvd and its companion, the one-way,westbound Seabreeze Blvd on the beachside. Seabreeze Blvd is next for a bike-lanemakeover with plans to remove parkingon the south side of the street, replacingthe conventional 5-foot bike lane with aprotected bike lane in the between thesidewalk and parking. This is part of amuch larger project to make nearby StateRoad A1A friendlier for all modes.On the other side the intracoastalwaterway in Daytona Beach lies theRiverfront Esplanade, under completerenovation for the last two years. Therenovationincludesthecompletereconstruction of nearly one mile of the3,000-mile East Coast Greenway, also partof the five-county 260-mile St Johns River toSea Loop. The section between Main St andInternational Speedway Blvd opens June4th, including the critical bridge connectionunder US-92, which allows people to avoidcrossing this busy arterial road. Once theUS-92 to Orange Avenue renovations arecomplete in 2023, the 4-mile East CoastGreenway will be complete within the citylimits of Daytona Beach.President’s Message.Transitions andTransformationsby Courtney Reynolds, FBA PresidentAs a native Floridian, I have never really experiencedthe four seasons (unless you include hurricane seasonand lovebug season). I imagine what it must be like living inother places, where the color of the leaves marks the passageof time. Instead, the months and years are marked by localpolitics, job changes, and the passing of good friends. There havebeen a few too many of these markers aswork with her so closely, but I know thatof late.her departure as FBA’s Executive DirectorLaura Hallam left us on April 12, 2022,is not the end of our friendship. (Sorryafter 67 years of a life well lived. I did notBecky, you can’t get rid of me so easily.)know Laura well, but I counted her a friendA Trails Summit was held in DeBaryand a teacher. Her latest role at FBA was(Volusia County) back in April, with almostas our Administrative Assistant but she100 people that are staff or volunteerspreviously served as Executive Directorfrom bicycle-related organizations acrossfrom 2001-2011. For the past few years,the state. They were brought togetherLaura also served as Executive Directorto discuss “trails as transportation” butof the American Bicycling Educationthe conversation kept coming back toAssociation. She was always there to help,how to share the great news that Floridawhether it was to answer a question thatis becoming more bike-friendly (read:had already been answered or to bring apeople-friendly). There are clearlynew person into the world of bicycle safetyopportunities for businesses to make theand advocacy. Hers was a life of service andmost of this, for communities to doubleI cherish the memory of Laura’s dedication,down on the benefits and expand bikingprofessionalism, and joy.opportunities, and for individuals to getRecentlyBeckyAfonso,FBA’sout there and ride. But who should conveneExecutive Director for the past eight years,this effort? Who has the authority andannounced her intention to move on to herresources to lead a statewide effort to raisenext great adventure. To say this is a hugethe profile of Florida as a place for cyclists?loss for the Association is one of thoseAs much as we may all want the answerunderstatements for the record books. I firstto be “the Florida Bicycle Association, ofcame to know FBA through the previouscourse” – the truth of it is that we cannot doExecutive Director, but it was Becky whoit alone. What we can do is help assemblereached out to me to ask if I would bethe right people to get them on the rightinterested in getting more involved. It wasbus and in the right seat, working togetherBecky who guided me and coached meto determine the direction we should take.on how to be an effective Board Member.Who knows what we could accomplish ifIt was Becky who shared her knowledgeall the separate organizations that workand insights on what is important and howon safety-related issues and projects wereto get things done. It has been Becky thatunified not just under a common visionkept me engaged and inspired me to keepand mission, but specific objectives andcoming back to help make things better.strategies? I suspect we could accomplishBecky’s diligence is matched by her humor,great things together, for the good of FBA’sand that’s probably why I like her so darncurrent and future members.much. I will personally miss getting toAlthough this Florida girl has missedout on seasons, I am well acquainted withchange. Sometimes it is sad; most of thetime it is scary. But change offers us a pathforward and towards transformation. WithLaura’s passing and Becky’s departure, I amnot sure what transformation lies aheadfor FBA. I do intend to help guide ournext steps and hope FBA’s members willcontinue to support what comes next.SupportFlorida BicycleAssociation Inc.When you shop at smile.amazon.com,Amazon donates.Go to smile.amazon.com

Summer 2022Page 5Executive Director’s Corner.Farewellby Becky Afonso, DirectorThis won’t be the first time I have used this column tohonor the passing of a dear colleague and friend, butI do believe it to be the last (more on that later). This onehits very close to home as on April 12 of this year, LauraHallam, former FBA Executive Director, FBA OperationsManager, FBA Administrative Assistant, American BicyclingEducation Association Executive Director and just a personworth knowing, succumbed to a battle with cancer. She was 67,but her spirit and energy always providedI never saw myself in the ED job then,for a youthful and playful aura, despitebut it happened. The association neededher professional and all-business mindedhelp and I answered the call. In the eightattitude.years that I have led FBA as ExecutiveLaura touched so many people; I findDirector, I found the job to be moremyself still processing and coming to termsabout flexibility, listening and relationshipin seeing her passing not as a loss but asbuilding then checking off boxes of athe light within her continuing to shine inbusiness agenda. Once I took on the roleall that she touched (which is an eternalof Executive Director, I found it challengedconnection). I imagine this as the numerousme to become someone I didn’t thinkfond memories so many people have ofpossible – a champion for public safety.Laura; a mere column would not do thisI built membership, implemented newjustice, but I will share a tad of my memories.programs and maintained a statewideI first met Laura in 2001 at what maypresence as a cycling resource with ourhave been her first FBA Board meeting asstate legislators and other elected officials.the newly hired Executive Director; thisI honed my understanding of bicyclewould have been when Tina Russo wassafety education, infrastructure needs andpresident and used a meeting facility atgenuine passion to promote and growthe Upper Tampa Bay Trail main trailhead.community connections through cycling.Oddly enough, Laura’s last Board meetingI have witnessed the pure joy cyclingas FBA Executive Director was held atbrings to children with disabilities as aour family’s home in Oldsmar duringvolunteer with iCan Shine. I have listenedthe weekend of January 28/29, 2011. I’mto the concerns voiced by various membersgrateful the relationship and friendshipof bicycle clubs, homeowner associations,continued and lasted for 21 years;civic groups and bicycle rehab programs,something she framed as us being ‘kindredincluding the Coalition for the Homeless ofspirits.’Central Florida. By listening, I have beenI don’t have many photos of Laura, well,able to develop presentations and outreachlet me correct that by saying I don’t havefor all types of audiences. The passion tomany clear photos of Laura. I admit, theremake a difference, to be on a mission forare many blurry photos taken throughoutthe sake of cycling (that childhood freedomour adventures, but the one I offer thisI fell in love with), is life changing. This haspublication is a clear photo of Laurabeen an unforgettable journey and I like toand I at the Land Bridge of the Marjoriebelieve I am leaving the organization andHarris Carr Cross Florida Greenway overmyself healthier, stronger and on track forInterstate 75 in Ocala. We rode out therewhat is next.prior to a quarterly FBA Board of DirectorsIt may seem strange that I would leavemeeting in April of 2017. I don’t mind thatthis job, but I will always have the passion towe are in bicycle attire and wearing shades;do good work. I know the time is right forthat’s how we rode. Rest in peace, Laura.what is next for FBA leadership. Much likeThis final tribute of a column is due tothe 25th Anniversary safety baton this assomy decision to resign the post of Executiveciation is showcasing for the year, the reinsDirector. I often joke that being thewill be passed on and the torch will burnExecutive Director ofFBA was not a conversation with myhigh school GuidanceCounselor, and nojoke, it wasn’t. Mydream in high schoolwas to become a writer, majoring in collegewith a BA in MassCommunications. Ialso love bicycling,and became one of thefirst 100 to join FBAwhen it reformed in1997.Welcome Eric DraperFBA is pleased to announce Eric Draper as our mostrecent appointee to the Board of Directors. Ericis an avid cyclist and with his background, willprovide strategic advice on environmentalfinance and policy to businesses, non-profitorganizations, and government agencies.Draper serves on the Capital CityCyclists board and the Tallahassee-LeonCounty Joint Bicycle Working Group. Herecently completed service as Directorof the Florida Park Service. Under hisleadership, Florida State Parks becamethe first four-time winner of the NationalRecreation and Parks Association’sGold Medal for Excellence. Draperis recognized for raising park rangerpay, updating training, increasingrevenue and budgets, advancing waterrestoration projects, promoting trails,and encouraging park volunteers andphilanthropy.Before being asked to lead the FloridaPark Service, Draper was ExecutiveDirector of Audubon Florida, the state’smost influential conservation organization.He raised a 7 million annual budget,recruited a philanthropic board, manageda team of 90 staff, and grew Audubon’schapter and volunteer networks. Previously,he was Senior Vice President for Policy at theNational Audubon Society, the Florida House ofRepresentatives Majority Office staff director, The NatureConservancy’s Florida government relations director, and Clean Water Action’s nationalcampaigns director.During his 30-year conservation career, Draper was a leading advocate for waterand land conservation and Everglades restoration. He was known for being able to workwith business and agency leaders. He was credited with helping secure billions in newconservation and restoration spending and influencing many major Florida environmentalpolicy decisions.Draper is from Tampa and studied Philosophy at the University of South Florida. Helives in Tallahassee.Different (Pedal) Strokesfor Different Folksby Patty HuffHow do you like to ride? With a groupor alone? On the road or trails? On amountain bike, road bike, tandem, unicycle,or electric? To work, errands around town,for recreation, or across the U.S.? Differentstrokes for different folks.We all have numerous ways we like toride. We have various types of bicycles andplaces we like to go. One thing we all have incommon is our love of the ride, the feelingof freedom and exhilaration, the exercise,the scenery, the people we meet, etc., etc.The Florida Bicycle Association is for allcyclists throughout Florida, promotingbicycle education and encouraging cycling.So, how can we all live (bike) togetherhappily ever after? We do it with respectand understanding. Not everyone likes tocycle 20 mph but some do. These cyclistswant to be on the road, have the freedomto ride wherever they want along our roadsand highways, so we need to be sure thatwe have the regulations in place to protectthem. We also should respect these cyclistsfor the freedom they enjoy; but they, also,need to respect other cyclists either onthe road or bike trails who prefer to rideat a slower pace. The relationship betweenthese cyclists and motorists – both legalstreet vehicles in the eyes of the law – arethe same; respect each other’s mode oftransportation, and be courteous withother when sharing the road.Then there are the cyclists who likelong-distance cycling on back roads withthe open air, the breeze, the cornfields,orange groves, quiet neighborhoods, smalltowns, the diversity of the land and thesheer delight of being outdoors on theseat of a bike. They, too, need courtesy andrespect on the road. We may see a varietyof bikes on our multi-use trails, includinge-bikes. As we practice sharing the road,we must also practice sharing the trails:families riding together, pedestrians, dog(continued on next page)

Page 6Florida Bicycle AssociationDifferent (Pedal) Strokes (continued from page 5)walkers, cyclists out for fun, others cyclingto work. All types, all modes; what we cando is respect their rights and enjoy the ride.I received a note today that a localcyclist (Ironman) from Chokoloskee whowas biking along a county road just northof Everglades City when a truck veered offand into the bike lane, forcing the cyclist offthe road. The truck did not stop; and thecyclist was found lying on the side of theroad, almost incoherent. His scapula wasfractured, ribs broken, and was taken to thehospital where a metal plate was insertedto stabilize his clavicle. All this happenedwhile just going out for a Sunday ride. Nomatter how vigilant or experienced weare on our bikes, things happen. It wasfortunate that this cyclist didn’t get hit bythe truck, but his ability to avoid a directcrash with the truck was still devastating.He’s recovering at home now and sayshe’s determined to get back on his bicycleand continue his training. R-E-S-P-E-C-Tand COURTESY are the key words. Nomatter where we ride – on road, off road,in traffic, or on quiet county roads, be alertand careful. What keeps me so committedto FBA – our Vision is for bicycling to besafe, accepted and encouraged in Florida –a shared responsibility.Today I dedicated my 10-

Mexico. Bike Florida and Bike/Walk Tampa Bay (BWTB) joined forces to create and . The Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) was incorporated in 1997 for educational and charitable purposes. FBA is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. . A copy of the o!cial registration and financial .