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| Commuter Services, Florida Department of Transportation | Start Biking! |
 Commuter Services wishes to remind you that National Bike to Work Week is May 17-21, and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 21. Try riding your bike at least one day during this nation-wide initiative. If your commute is too far or unsafe, bring your bike to work and ride to lunch, meetings or errands. You could even plan a weekend ride. This is a great time to set goals to improve the way you live, stay healthy and get around.
 Other ideas: Plan a cycling adventure with your family, bike with your kids to school, bring a backpack for a picnic, test out a new trail, skip the treadmill and bike to the gym for a new workout, go on a trial run for future trips, test out the bike racks on your local transit system, inquire about employee benefits for cyclists, plan a car vs. bike race with a co-worker, visit a local bike shop to get motivated...
Tell a story or attach photos, include the number of days you plan to ride and estimated mileage. Simply reply to this email or call 1.866.585.RIDE (7433).
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Registered bicycle commuters can use the Emergency Ride Home Program?
You can register or update your profile online, or by calling 1.866.585.RIDE (7433) |
If you currently bike or walk to work, and your employer offers the Emergency Ride Home program, you qualify for up to four free rides home in the event of an emergency.
Commuter Services will reimburse up to four rides per year via taxi or rental car; we'll even reimburse mileage for a co-worker who drives you home. The program can only be used for personal and family emergencies or unscheduled overtime at the request of your supervisor. It is not intended for rides to work, scheduled appointments or planned overtime. Just make sure you are registered as a biker or walker and your company is Partnered with Commuter Services and offering the Emergency Ride Home, before requesting use of the program. |
Loading a Bike on the Bus
Courtesy of Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT)
- All riders should load and unload from the curb side.
 - Lower the rack with one hand while holding your bike with the other hand
- Lift the bike into either of the two rack wheel wells. Make sure both tires of the bike must fit securely in the bike rack.
- After the bike is in the Bike Rack, pull the self storing support arm up over the front tire.
- Driver is not allowed to help load bike.
 Only standard size bikes will fit into the bike rack. Sorry, no tricycles or customized nonstandard bicycles. - First come, first served. A maximum of two bikes per bus.
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What else can I do?
Even if you are unable to ride, there are other things you can do to promote bicycle friendliness.
Support Florida Cycling and the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA)with a Share the Road License plate. |
Support local initiatives
Click Here for a list of 50 Things You Can Do to Celebrate Bike Month, such as: #2 Decorate a cake or cookies with a bike theme, #3 Ride with your child to school, #38 Ask your employer to install bike racks, #31 Attach a playing card to your bike wheel and ride around like you did when you were a kid, #43 Write a "thank you" letter to your local advocacy group for the work they do.
Voice your support
Understand and voice the benefits of bicycling.  The Bikes Belong Coalition has a great booklet that highlights the positive impact of bicycling from several perspectives, including: demographics, obesity rates, economics, congestion statistics, complete streets, bike sharing programs, and programs for kids.
Street Smarts, Florida Bike/Ped Law Enforcement Guide, and Group Riding publications are available on the Florida Bicycle Association's website. |
| Southwest Florida Pathways Coalition | Join the coalition and help us make a positive impact in Southwest Florida
At a recent meeting in Punta Gorda (Charlotte County), representatives from various organizations in Southwest Florida began discussing regional bicycle friendliness.  With Punta Gorda's 2009 honorable mention as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Cyclists, and 2010 Bicycle Friendly Community Award by the Florida Bicycle Association, it was only natural to designate this area as the center for neighboring counties. Florida is ranked number one, for being the deadliest state for cyclists and pedestrians. All communities must take a stand against this tragedy.
Representatives from the City of Punta Gorda; Charlotte County Growth Management, MPO, and Health Department; Charlotte County bicycle shops; Charlotte Harbor businesses; Fawcett Hospital; Desoto County Planning; Naples Pathways Coalition; Commuter Services, and TEAM Punta Gorda participated in a workshop to discuss how we can regionally connect and become a bicycle-friendly region. Some missions include encouraging active and healthy life-styles, safer roadways, bicycle commuting, greenways and trails, economic development, childhood education, driver awareness, planning, and shared resources.
As the coalition begins to develop a call for action, they are looking to include school systems and representatives from Lee and Sarasota counties. If bicycling is your passion, join the coalition and help us make a positive impact in Southwest Florida. SImply reply to this email for more information. |
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Overcoming Bicycling Excuses
1. I'm out of shape
Remember Me? I was the first birthday gift that you asked for and actually got. We'd get away and explore new places, limited only by imagination and sunlight. All the other kids wished they were you: lucky, fast, and free. What do kids wish for now?  |
Ride at an easy pace; in a few months you will be in great shape.
Ride your route on a weekend to find the easiest way to work.
You will improve your fitness level when you become a regular bike commuter.
2. It takes too long
The average commuter travels at 10 mph; the more you ride, the faster you will become.
Trips of less than three miles will be quicker by bike.
Trips of five to seven miles in urban areas may take the same time or less as by car.
3. It's too far
Try riding to work and taking mass transit home,
All seven transit systems in FDOT District One have bike racks on buses  |
then alternating the next day. There's information in this newsletter on how to place a bicycle on the bus.
Combine riding and mass transit to shorten your commute.
Ride to a coworker's house and carpool to work.
4. No bike parking
Look around for a storage area in your building or office.
Stash your bike in a covered, secure place such as a closet or even your office.
Formally request that your employer provide bike parking or lock it up outside.
5. My bike is beat up
Tell a reputable bike shop that you are commuting and have them tune up your bike.
If you can't maintain your bike yourself, identify bike shops near your route.
Make sure that your bike is reliable and in good working order before you ride.
6. No showers
Most commuters don't shower at work; ride at an easy pace to stay cool and dry.
Ride home at a fast pace if you want a workout; shower when you get there.
Health clubs offer showers; get a discounted membership for showers only.
7. I have to dress up
Keep multiple sets of clothing at work; rotate them on days you drive.
Have work clothes cleaned at nearby Laundromats or dry cleaners.
Pack clothes with you and change at work; try rolling clothes instead of folding.
8. It's raining
Fenders for your bike and raingear for your body will keep you dry.
If you are at work, take transit or carpool to get home; ride home the next day.
Take transit or drive if you don't have the gear to ride comfortably in the rain.
9. The roads aren't safe
Obey traffic signs, ride on the right, signal turns,
By Florida Law, bicycles are vehicles and have the same right of way to the roadway. |
and stop at lights.
Wear bright clothing.
You are at no greater risk than driving a car.
Wear a helmet every time you ride.
10. I have to run errands
Secure a rack to the back of your bike to add carrying capacity, or carry a backpack.
Make sure that you have a lock to secure your bike while you are in a building.
Allow extra time to get to scheduled appointments and find parking.
Encourage your employer to provide a bicycle fleet for office use.
For more information on how to make your workplace more bicycle friendly visit: www.bikeleague.org.
For more information on bicycling benefits, view the Final Report of the National Bicycling and Walking Study, 1995 (Pub. No. FHWA-PD-94-023) and its accompanying case studies, here: www.fhwa.dot.gov. |
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About Us
Commuter Services is a FREE program, sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation, serving travelers in the 12 county region of Southwest Florida.
We work with businesses to help their employees find a better way to get to work rather than driving by themselves.  We work with local governments and transportation partners to help build better communities that offer a wider range of transportation choices - like bicycling and walking, and better accessibility for carpools, vanpools, or transit services. We provide employers with a turnkey solution, including program development, on-site events, marketing tools, and motivation programs.
For more information:
call: 1.866.585.RIDE (7433)
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Bicycle Commuter Act
From the League of American Bicyclists
On Jan. 1, 2009, the reimbursement benefit for bicycle commuting was added to the list of qualified transportation fringe benefits covered in section 132 (f) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
Any employer, if they chose to do so, may provide a reimbursement of up to $20 per month for reasonable expenses to employees that commute by bike.
 Please note, that unlike the other qualified transportation fringe benefits, a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement benefit cannot be funded through employee pre-tax income, nor can an employee receive both the transit and bicycle benefit in the same month.
Commuter Check is one organization that has a bicycling program to allow bicycle commuters to receive $20.00 per month as a subsidy to pay for the costs of bicycle commuting. This includes the cost of bicycles, bicycling equipment and accessories, and storage unit costs.
Employers can offer the bicycling benefit as a subsidy in addition to salary. The subsidy for the bicycling benefit is tax deductible for the company.
To learn more about tax benefits or get started with a program, have your employer visit the Commuter Check website. |
Over 66% of the adult US population is overweight
And 32% of the US is obese, costing our nation $68 billion in
Trust for America's Health healthyamericans.org
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health care and personal costs annually.
Statistics on the lack of physical activity among children are also alarming. Most children are driven to school in cars or buses, and one child out of every 4 is overweight.
Medical research has well established the fact that a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity three days a week can reduce incidents of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension and improve mental health and cardio-vascular fitness.
In addition to missing less work due to sickness, bicyclists generally accomplish more work. There's nothing like riding to stimulate circulation, relieve stress, allow creative thought and establish a positive attitude toward oneself and one's environment.
Bicyclists are less likely to be affected by traffic congestion and it is a great way to squeeze regular exercise into a hectic schedule. Commuting time can be used to stay in shape instead of sitting frustrated in traffic. Bicycle commuters get to work on time more often and are happier and more productive. 80% of people who switch from sedentary commuting to cycling improve their heart, lungs and blood vessels greatly in 6-8 weeks, so they get sick much less often.
For a 180 pound man, a 10 mile round trip bike commute burns 400 calories. For a 130-pound woman this same commute burns 300 calories.
For more information on how to make your workplace more bicycle friendly visit www.bikeleague.org. |
Free up about 25% of your income by bicycle commuting
Save on parking fees, parking tickets, fuel costs, auto maintenance costs and transit fares. In some large urban areas, it is possible to save over $200 per month on parking alone. A new bicycle and cycling gear would pay for itself in a few months.
Cyclists can meet all of their transportation needs with a combination of bicycling, transit, and an occasional cab or rented car much cheaper than owning a car. Since the biggest cost of automobile ownership are paid up front (insurance and car payments), some people can free up about 25 percent of their income by getting rid of their car or their second car.
For more information on how to make your workplace more bicycle friendly visit www.bikeleague.org. |
Get Involved.
Go Outside.
Next, get involved, know your resources, and improve the way you live and get around:
State and National:
Lee County:
Collier County:
Polk County:
Charlotte County:
Sarasota County:
Manatee County:
Hardee County:
Hendry County:
Highlands County:
DeSoto County:
Glades County:
Have something to add? Email us!
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