Issue: 1

April 2011    

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The Newsletter of the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) & Livable Roadways Committee (LRC)

 

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Bicycle Safety Action Plan 
Will reduce the number of cyclists hit by motorists on our roadways
BSAP iconThe Bicycle Safety Action Plan has been a wonderful collaboration between local governments and FDOT to address our high crash rate (see full article  in MPO newsletter). Already underway is a grant application to implement a number of safety outreach initiatives, including a training video for law enforcement offices that allow them to get continuing education credit, and bike light kits for distribution by officers on the night shift.The draft was presented at three public workshops and is posted here for your comment, or tell us about your priorities in this very short survey.

 

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Davis Island Trail 
Officially opened on March, 15, 2011
Davis Islands Trail iconCongrats to the City of Tampa! The new Davis Islands trail was officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Iorio on March 15, 2011. The trail covers 1.3 miles and begins at Channel Drive. After crossing Davis Boulevard, the trail weaves along the sea wall, providing a view of the waterfront and seaplane basin. It is a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail and suitable for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and skaters. The project includes pedestrian crosswalks, signage, benches, trash cans, pet-friendly drinking fountains, bike racks, fencing, irrigation, and trees and additional landscaping. For more information visit the City of Tampa's website.  

 

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Interactive Bicycle Suitability Map 
Find the best route using your smartphone
Interactive Bicycle Suitability Map iconThe BPAC's Bicycle Suitability Map, long available in print for free at local bike shops, is now online and interactive. The new javascript-based Suitability Map overlays our GIS data on top of a Google Maps base layer, you can pan and zoom, as well as leave comments or feedback. The interactive map should work in typical internet browsers, and also on modern (javascript enabled) smartphones. Bookmark this link.

 

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Regional Multi-Use Trails Map Updated 
Multiple new trails have been added

Regional Multi-Use Trails Map iconThe Regional Multi-Use Trails map of West Central Florida has been updated by the MPO Chairs Coordinating Committee. 

  • In Pasco County portions of the Starkey Trail were completed; as well as sections of the Bi-County Trail, and the trail along Bruce B. Downs and SR 56. Additionally, conceptual trails east of US 301 into Sumter County were identified on the new map.
  • In Pinellas County, a new section of the Bayway Trail was completed; along with the new downtown sections of the Pinellas Trail.   
  •  In Hillsborough County, part of the South Tampa Greenway was completed, and funding obtained for the South Coast Greenway and the Courtney-Campbell Trail.
  • In Polk County, the Lake WalesTrail has been completed, and the Fort Frasier Trail was added as a priority.
  • In Manatee County, the Rye PreserveTrail was added to the map.
  • In Sarasota County, the Legacy Trail is now complete, and the Alderman St. and School Ave. Trails have been added to the map as well.

 

Download the map, stop by our offices, or contact Michele Ogilvie for a copy.

 

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Congratulations to Tampa BayCycle 
March was National Bike Month
Tampa BayCycle Bike Month iconCongratulations go out to Tampa BayCycle on wrapping up a successful National Bike Month during March 2011. Hundreds turned out for the culminating event, the third annual Criterium high-speed race and all-ages bicycle festival in Downtown Tampa.

 

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Fletcher & 56th St Bike Lane 
Bike lane continuity problem resolved
Fletcher & 56th Ave bike laneAt the request of BPAC members, Hillsborough County staff went the extra mile to make sure a recent repaving project fixed a continuity problem. Now cyclists on Fletcher Ave can travel across the 56th Street intersection in a bike lane that doesn't conflict with right-turning vehicles. The BPAC sends a big thank you to Peter Brett and Roger Cox in Public Works! 

 

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BPAC Vice-Chair Receives Award 
Florida Bicycle Association Trail Manager of the Year

Tina Russo BPAC Vice-ChairTina Russo, Vice-Chair of the Hillsborough County Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC),  has been selected as the Florida Bicycle Association's Trail Manager of the Year for 2010-11.

 

Congratulations, Tina!

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Green Artery / USF Collaboration 
Connecting Tampa's Greenspaces

The Green Artery logoThe Green Artery is the first multi-neighborhood consolidated effort to connect and expand their Green Spaces.  The Green Artery is a grassroots project of a dozen neighborhoods in Central Tampa. The USF Community Development spring semester class is assisting the Green Artery project by helping them map parks, green spaces, paths, schools, cultural institutions, churches, historic sites, natural areas and commercial areas that are important for these neighborhoods to connect and are accessible by walking or bicycling. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

 

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Mr. Shirk Goes to Tallahassee 
Florida Bicycle Summit

Florida Bike Summit iconWith fellow BPAC member Alan Snel, Chair Jim Shirk participated in the March 24 Florida Bicycle Summit, organized by the Florida Bicycle Association, to discuss safe cycling with legislators.  He reports, "Alan and I met with Janet Cruz (District 56) and Betty Reed (District 5), and with Ben Kelly, Jim Norman's Chief of Staff, to discuss legislation on distracted driving and "vulnerable users" of roadways (cyclists, pedestrians, wheel chair users, etc.).  Ms. Cruz made an interesting suggestion, to include bicycle awareness in the course required of drivers with traffic violations to avoid points on their license."  For more information on the Florida Bicycle Association's legislative priorities and how you can let your representatives know your opinion, visit their summit page.

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In This Issue
Bicycle Safety Action Plan
Davis Islands Trail
Bicycle Suitability Map
Multi-use Trails Map
Congrats to Tampa BayCycle
Fletcher & 56th St Bike Lane
BPAC Vice-Chair Awarded
Green Artery / USF Collaboration
Mr. Shirk Goes to Tallahassee

 

 

Upcoming Meetings

 

BPAC : 5:30 pm, 4/13/11

LRC : 9:00 am, 4/27/11

 

Planning Commission Boardroom, 601 E Kennedy Blvd, 18th Floor, Tampa

 

 

 

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