in this issue

TAKE THE SURVEY
BIKE RIDE AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL
MARCH IS BICYCLE MONTH
PRO BIKE PRO WALK CONFERENCE
PALATKA LAKE BUTLER TRAIL
UPCOMING EVENTS
AND THEN SOME
CONTACTS


SURVEY RESULTS WILL HELP FBA
The University of Florida College of Public Relations is working with FBA to develop separate marketing campaigns for FBA and the Share the Road license plate. Two classes have been assigned to raise awareness and grow membership for FBA. Two more classes will concentrate on generating sales of the Share the Road license plate.

Please take time to complete the following isurvey at
http://www.university101.com/polls.cfm?PollID=26117a69-94e2-4b68-a5f0-6356efac36d4
The results will help these students better understand the Florida Bicycle Association and its members.

Thank you!

Sarah Every
severy86@ufl.edu
386-299-3640


JOIN FBA FOR A BIKE RIDE AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL
What goes together better than cycling and ice cream? The FBA Board of Directors invites you to join us for a bike ride and ice cream social Saturday afternoon, March 8, in downtown Orlando. The fun begins at 2:30 pm when we'll take off from the bandshell at Lake Eola (corner of Rosalind Ave. and Washington St.). Those who drive their cars can park on the street or in the Central Blvd. garage (entrance on Central across from the library, just west of Rosalind). The route will be about 15-20 miles. Following the ride, we'll go to 44 East Central Boulevard, an urban food court representing a variety of different eating options each representing a complimentary range of cuisine - City Java, Haagen-Dazs and O'Naturals. Ice cream service will be from 4:00-5:30 pm. The cost is FREE, however, donations will be accepted. FBA will give a program update including legislative initiatives over the next two years. Family business owner Steve Beumer also plans to have a ribbon cutting to celebrate new bike racks installed to show his support to bike riders.

We hope to see you Saturday, March 8, in Orlando.

MARCH IS FLORIDA BICYCLE MONTH
Governor Crist has proclaimed March as Florida Bicycle Month. Special thanks go to Ken Bryan, Florida Director, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, for helping to make this happen. A PDF copy of the proclamation will be available soon on the FBA website for your use in spreading the word. The month of May is promoted nationally as National Bike Month by the League of American Bicyclists however many cities throughout Florida choose to observe Bike Month earlier due to Florida's warm climate. (Go HERE to read the proclamation.)

Help us promote March as Florida Bicycle Month.


2008 PRO BIKE PRO WALK FLORIDA:
MAKING FLORIDA HEALTHY, SAFE & GREEN

Don't miss the fourth annual PRO BIKEŽ PRO WALK FLORIDA CONFERENCE "Making Your Community Healthy, Safe and Green" to be held October 20-23, 2008 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront hotel. The original dates of the conference were October 6-9 but due to a conflict with Yom Kippur, we've selected another date.

The conference is a collaborative effort of many people and organizations involved with health, safety and the environment. Sessions will focus on ways to move your community forward through well designed transportation projects. This conference is for anyone who wants to make their community healthier, safer, better functioning and more alive with people. In addition to the educational sessions, participants will enjoy walking and biking tours, dynamic keynote speakers and vendor exhibits.

The green future of Florida depends on improving community planning, protecting public health, safety and the environment. This conference will bring people together who can promote change to achieve this goal.

Visit our website at www.probikeprowalkflorida.com for additional information.

If you would like to be a presenter at the conference, please send us your ideas as a CALL FOR PAPERS response.


Session ideas should provide the following information:
Name
Title/position
Agency (if applicable)
Phone Number
E-mail Address
Session topic
Outline of what you propose to cover
The topic significance to the conference
Other presenters you suggest to complement your topic
Date submitted

Please include the above information in a WORD document titled
"2008 PBPWF, Last Name, First Name". If you submit more than one, vary the name to indicate the topic.

Are you interested in being a sponsor and having a booth at the conference? Opportunity levels and provisions can be found on the website. If you don't see a package that works for you, send us a proposal and we'll work with you on an appropriate opportunity.
 

PALATKA TO LAKE BUTLER STATE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS IN CLAY COUNTY
Construction has begun for the Clay County section of the "Palatka to Lake Butler State Trail". The construction extends from the (western) Putnam County line to the beginning point of the existing trail in Keystone Heights and from the end point of the existing trail in Keystone Heights to the (eastern) Bradford County line - a distance of 5.2 miles. Funded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds, this project will be constructed as a 12-foot wide asphalt multi-use trail. DOT is administering the construction and the Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) will manage the trail.

Robin Turner, Regional Coordinator
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Office of Greenways and Trails


UPCOMING EVENTS
Are you looking for an eco-friendly vacation Spring 2008? Check out the following events for a week of big fun. The events are NOT connected and run by separate organizations, but Florida Bicycle Association gives both events a big thumbs up!

Bike Florida Trail Link 2008 - March 30-April 4
VIEW PREVIEW VIDEO at http://youtube.com/user/bikeflorida
Bike Florida "Trail Link" 2008 is a linear ride starting in beautiful Clearwater and ending at enchanting Fanning Springs. We will use rural roads to link together the trails of Florida's Gulf Coast including the Pinellas Trail, Suncoast Parkway Trail, Withlacoochee Trail, Withlacoochee Bay Trail, and Nature Coast Trail. We will leave cars and cares behind as we pack bikes and luggage on trucks in Fanning Springs (Sunday, March 30), then board buses for Clearwater's Ross Norton Park. (Note: No cars can be left in Clearwater for the week because there are no return buses and there is no secured week-long parking in Clearwater). From there the run begins as we tour Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Inverness, Dunnellon and Fanning Springs. For more information, visit www.bikeflorida.org. Don't forget to view the 3-part preview video on You Tube.


Paddle Florida - March 20-27, 2008
Get Down on the Suwannee River and Go with the Flow! Come join the fun on the inaugural Paddle Florida covering 123 miles of the scenic Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. The seven-day paddlefest launches from the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and finishes at beautiful Manatee Springs State Park. As many as 300 paddlers will be going with the flow averaging 18 miles per day and camping on the banks of Florida's beautiful Suwannee River. Paddle Florida is held in cooperation with the Florida Park Service and the Suwannee River Water Management District. Experience a week of camaraderie and the thrill of paddling a Florida gem. For more information, visit www.paddleflorida.org.



AND THEN SOME
"Kill the snake of doubt in your soul, crush the worms of fear in your heart and mountains will move out of your way." -Kate Seredy

"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." -Alan W. Watts

"I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me . . . Failure always made me try harder next time." -Michael Jordan

"Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that." -Norman Vincent Peale

"Make the most of the best and the least of the worst." -Robert Louis Stevenson


Quick Links...
Our Website
Pro Bike Pro Walk Florida
Share the Road
Bike Florida
Betterbicycling Blog
Flabicycle Blog

Contact Information
phone: 352-468-3430
e-mail: laura@floridabicycle.org



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