Short Trail (.3 of a mile) Unveiled In Tampa Heights

I suppose technically it's a trail. But at three-tenths of a mile it takes about three minutes or so to bike it. It's a new trail that intersects Palm Avenue in Tampa Heights and runs along the shadow of a I-275 exit ramp into downtown Tampa. The trail leads into a neighborhood that kinds leads into the edge of downtown. The nice thing is that the trail does lead north to a gorgeous community gardens in Tampa Heights. On one hand it's Tampa, so a foot of paved trail is nice and a pleasant addition to the local landscape. On the other hand, we need to have higher expectations than celebrating a trail that runs less than a half-mile. Tampa needs a trail system that allows people to travel from one section of the city to another. Let's just Tampa has a whole ways to go before we can throw a parade.

Remembering Retired Adm. LeRoy Collins

This month represents two years since retired Adm. LeRoy Collins was killed while riding his bicycle in the city of Tampa early one late July morning. A ghost bike was installed at the street corner under the Selmon Expressway where he was killed by a motorist. If you're a bicyclist in Tampa, do you think it's gotten better, worse or stayed the same to ride a bicycle in the city?

Tampa Bicyclist Writes Mayor Buckhorn About Batshore Cycling Problems

Bicyclist Pery Schusterman contacted me to show me this letter he wrote to Tampa Mayor Buckhorn. Here is his letter:

Hello Mayor Buckhorn,

I am writing to request more of a police presence on Bayshore Blvd.

On 7/7/12, I was riding my bike in the designated bike lane and was continually "buzzed" by cars, blatantly disobeying the speed limit.

At the point on Bayshore when the bike lane ends, I was honked at, yelled at, had things thrown at me, and one driver even tried to knock me off my bike with their car! In addition VERY FEW motorists observe the "3ft." rule, continuing Bayshore Blvd. to be a dangerous option for cyclists, in spite of your wonderful efforts to change this.

I will also add, I am a conscientious, and aware cyclist, always obey all road rules and never ride offensively.

By having more of a police presence on Bayshore Blvd. hopefully motorists will obey the posted speed limits.

Also, officers who are on traffic control assignment should be educated on the 3ft. rule and be encouraged to enforce it, by citing motorists who do not obey it.

Unfortunately the events of the 7th are not the first time I have encountered behavior like this, but I am frustrated fearing for my safety while exercising my right to use the city's road ways to ride my bike.

Thank you very much for your time and attention, I greatly look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Pery Shusterman

Tri-athlete Keeps On Biking After Bicycle Theft

They stole his bike.

But not his will to bike.

http://www2.tbo.com/sports/outdoors/2012/jul/07/robbery-fails-to-deter-triathlete-ar-425576/

Join The Easy, Slow Seminole Heights Bicycle Ride The First Sat. Of Each Month

On the first Saturday of every month for the past 3 1/2 years, I have been leading a slow, easy 6-mile bike ride through Seminole Heights and today's ride was as enjoyable as the first one way back when. Ten bicyclists pedaling all types of bikes hit the tree-canopied streets of Seminole Heights. This is the perfect bike ride for folks who want to be introduced to riding the streets of Tampa but who might be a bit hesitant or scared. Fear not, pedal Seminole Heights and enjoy bicycling in your city.

SWFBUD Moves 2012 Bicycle Bash Into Downtown Tampa

I am happy to announce that SWFBUD is moving our annual Bicycle Bash Festival into downtown Tampa, with the city of Tampa our co-sponsor and ISM Saddles our presenting sponsor. It will be NOV 4 from 10 am to 4 pm at Cotanchobee Park next to the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Polar Bottle and American Traffic Solutions are other Bicycle Bash sponsors. Many more details to follow. If you want to be a vendor at the Bicycle Bash, please email me at alansnel@yahoo.com.

Gandy Bridge Shoulder Has Too Much Debris; Poses Concern for Bicyclists

One of the issues of biking across the Gandy Bridge on its shoulder without any Friendship Trail Bridge between St Petersburg and Tampa is the shoulder seems like it's always littered with garbage, debris, glass, pieces of metal and junk. Here my friends Nereia and Jason bike on the St. Pete-bound side of the Gandy Bridge and you'll notice pieces of a discarded door litter the shoulder.