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Entries tagged: Florida Bicycle Association

The title conjures the image of a Buddhist monk in meditation, or, better yet, a graceful Shaolin warrior.

Mindful Bicycling: It’s a strategy that Floridians hope will elevate bike safety to a new plane of consciousness.

In the works for more than a year now, the Cycling Savvy website went live just this week. The brainchild of the Florida Bicycle Association and Commute Orlando, the new safety course aims to change students’ mindsets about cycling, as well as impart physical tactics to stay safe on the road.

“What we’ve learned from years of teaching is that information alone does not create the shift for most people,” Keri Caffrey, of CommuteOrlando, says. “The barriers are far less about skill or lack of knowledge than beliefs. We have to remove the baggage of the car-centric culture. We have to empower cyclists to see themselves as both in control of their environment and legitimate to exercise that control.”

“So, while most of the course content covers strategy,” she adds, “we’ve built in key discussion elements designed to change their beliefs about the roads, their place on the road and the inherent safety of mindful cycling. It’s far safer than driving a car.”

The Mindful Bicycling discussion seems to be resonating with students, both novices and experienced commuters. Feedback has been enthusiastic, Caffrey says. Through before and after surveys, the advocates are getting hard data, too, that will chart whether students are using their bikes more — especially for practical trips around town. Those kinds of stats could help advocates gain support from other areas, like environmental agencies and health organizations. They’re also aiming for the Florida Safety Council to implement Cycling Savvy alongside drivers and motorcyclists education.

Before that, though, they’re changing opinions one mindful cyclist at a time. “We are literally setting people free to choose a bicycle as a viable option to access any destination,” Caffrey says.

Click here to check out the Cycling Savvy site.

On Thursday, April 2, 2009, Florida Bicycle Association and Bike Florida will host the first Florida Bike Summit at Florida Capitol Courtyard in Tallahassee FL, 10:00-11:30 am.  This summit will provide bicyclists an opportunity to: organize, meet with legislators, and join Bike Florida participants as they ride to the Capitol. The sponsors encourage all who support improved cycling conditions, trails, and bicycle tourism to join the momentous event!

For more information, click here…

On March 8th the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) invited its members for a free bike ride and ice-cream social (donations were accepted) in Orlando, FL.  FBA used this opportunity to engage its members and to give a program update including legislative initiatives over the next two years.  Family business owner Steve Beumer also had a ribbon cutting to celebrate new bike racks installed to show his support to bike riders.