FREE graveler/greenway bike event - Saturday, March 14. Details, photos and videos.

Are you ready? This event is a FREE (of charge) leader-led bike ride on paved, gravel and grass trails connecting two of South Florida's beautiful national parks:  Biscayne National Park and the Everglades National Park.  Ride all or part to see at least one of these great parks!

This ride offers 3 distances to choose from:
42 Miles - For Strong, Performance Cyclists (most of this route is on gravel & grass trails - tough!)
22 Miles - For Fit, Recreational Cyclists
14 Miles - For Casual Cyclists

Pace will depend on the group but groups usually break down to fast, moderate, and slower smaller groups.  You will not be left behind!

The Biscayne-Everglades Greenway Ride  (BEG) is brought to you FREE of charge by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and support by Everglades Bicycle Club, Bike305 & the Green Mobility Network.

Parking for this event is at the EAST GATE of the Homestead Sports Complex,
1601 SE 28th Ave, Homestead, FL 33035

All rides are Free!
Helmets are required
Fat Tire Bikes or Hybrids (no road bikes)

---Registration is ONSITE ONLY from 8:00am-8:45am
---Mandatory Pre Ride Tutorials 8:45am
---Pedals Up for all rides  9:00am

Ride Starts at the EAST GATE of the Homestead Sports Complex.  Look for signs.  Free Parking.

APPROPRIATE BIKES INCLUDE:
- Mountain Bikes
- Adventure/Gravel Bikes
- Cyclocross Bikes
- Hybrids with at least a 1.9" wide tireAll rides will have a Ride Leader.
Route maps will be distributed at the event.
Please bring spare tubes, c02 cartridges and hydration.

Any questions contact event chair Tom Burton tb44@comcast.net  786-229-1001

2020 Biscayne - Everglades Greenway ride(s) - Calling all gravelers! Save the date - detailed information and links provided

Save the date - a different kind of rides for those who prefer not to ride on the road:

NOTE: Biscayne-Everglades Greenway Ride is a FAT Tire Event.

This ride offers 3 distances to choose from: 42, 22, & 14 miles and is brought to you FREE of charge by Everglades Bicycle Club (EBC), Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Green Mobility Network & Bike305.

Parking for this event is at the EAST GATE of the Homestead Sports Complex.

All rides are Free!
Helmets are required
Fat Tire Bikes or Hybrids (no road bikes)

---Registration is ONSITE ONLY from 8:00am-8:45am
---Mandatory Pre Ride Tutorials 8:45am
---Pedals Up for all rides  9:00am

All rides will have a Ride Leader.
Route maps will be distributed at the event.
Please bring spare tubes, c02 cartridges and hydration. 

Any questions contact the event chairs:   
Tom Burton tb44@comcast.net  786-229-1001
Eric Tullberg e341@bellsouth.net

More info if available by clicking either of the following two (2) links:

CLICK HERE for the EBC Facebook event

CLICK HERE for the EBC website info page

#RideEBC #EvergladesBC #EBCRides #Bike305  #EBCTrailRides

Work begins to prepare for the 2020 Ride of Silence – hold the date – the 2020 International Ride of Silence is set for Wednesday, May 20th, 2020, 7:00 PM

Hold the date. Please consider joining in on the participating and the planning. There will be some exciting new developments for the 2020 ride.  

Please contact me at eugeneflinn@bellsouth.net for more information on participating in the 2010 event.

Work has officially begun with an outstanding first organizational meeting; called to order by Michelle Menendez Rodriguez on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Our next formal meeting is presently scheduled for October 16, 2019, at 6:45 PM. There is much work to do between meetings, including additional people and organizations coming together on this effort.  Please - get involved.

The 2020 International Ride of Silence is set for Wednesday, May 20th, 2020, 7:00 PM (local time) Worldwide

The 2019 Ride of Silence Summary

336 Locations* World Wide

47 U.S. States

15 Countries

7 Continents

0 Words Spoken

A Million Powerful Memories

(*as of 7/16/19 - info taken from official web site)

This is a local event of a worldwide movement designed to raise awareness of cycling deaths, injuries and remembering those no longer with us, killed while riding. I continued to be inspired by the affected families as well as the bike community leaders that I'm proud to call my friends. 

The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured.

Thank you to all the organizers, volunteers and participants who work hard to make this annual event possible.

There will be many more meetings and many other people involved in this event. Please contact me if you would like to participate and/or be involved in the preparation for this event. This is an international event that is held annually on the third Wednesday of May.

Meeting to make the Ride of Silence a massive turnout again, #BikeAwareness — 

with Mike Estevez, David R Heffernan, Domingo Rodriguez, Mario Hernandez, Eugene Flinn, 

Michelle Menendez Rodriguez, Robert Ruano, Sue Kawalerski, Victor Brandon Dover and Mari Chael.

PRIOR RELATED POSTS - (CLICK HERE) to view prior blog articles on past Rides of Silence as well as to follow ongoing updates.

I will continue to keep you up to date. Please attend and participate.

Eugene Flinn

Photos of the Day - Bike Stations -more going up in Palmetto Bay

Installation continue in Palmetto Bay - working to encourage biking throughout Palmetto Bay.  Working to become bike friendly. Let's "Get Fit Palmetto Bay" and have fun achieving this goal.

Our second Palmetto Bay Bike Service Station is operational - now ready to serve you at Ludovici Park / Palmetto Bay Neighborhood Branch Library at 17641 Old Cutler Road. The sites were chosen based on their proximity to established bike usage patterns, as well as the ease of ability to install them.

We are trying to resolve one of the biggest problems with being a bicycle rider; that is it can be difficult to ride if you don’t have the proper tools yourself and you're not adjacent to a bike shop.  These are very basic tools useful to fix a flat tire, or need to change out a tube or tighten up the spokes on your rims.  Not everyone carries a bike tool set on their bikes. 

We are trying to place the tools for riding out in areas where we are fortunate to have bicycle traffic; both to serve those who currently ride as well as to encourage an increased interest in riding.

CLICK HERE to view a Fix It Station Brochure.

Bike By The Bay - 2015 event was a great start. Photos. Thank you to all who sponsored and participated.

A great start - the inaugural "Bike By The Bay" - Saturday, October 17, 2015

The weekend of October 17 & 18 was a huge weekend for bike events with events going on in Coral Gables, Miami Beach, South Miami and south Miami-Dade.  Fear of projected poor weather fueled brief thoughts of cancellation, but sticking to the plan was rewarded with outstanding weather.  Hundreds got pumped up for the Oct. 17 road-sharing safety awareness event, "Bike on the Bay."  A fun morning of meeting up with friends and neighbors, riding along the Old Cutler Bike Trail, one of the most scenic places to ride a bike (or walk, job or simply take time to enjoy local nature).

Palmetto Bay was host to a share the road safety-awareness bike ride sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).  A safety-awareness event was held post ride at the Deering Estate Visitor Center Parking Lot. 

I was honored to participate.  Bike By The Bay 2015 was brought to you by these fine organizations and partners:
FDOT – District 6
Village of Palmetto Bay
Village of Palmetto Bay Parks & Recreation Department
Miami-Dade County Police Department
Miami-Dade County Parks Department
Deering Estate at Cutler
University of Miami Bike Safe & Walk Safe
Miami-Dade County Bike 305
Mack Cycle
Elite Cycling & Fitness
Green Mobility
Miami-Dade County School Board Vice Chair, Dr. Larry Feldman was also a proud participant. 

 

Please make plans to attend "Bike By The Bay" 2016.  More community bike rides are being scheduled, including the 2nd Annual "Mayor's Bike Ride" to take place the morning of the Village Celebration Picnic.

Let's ride - this event is just one more example of why we live here!

Get to Know Your County Commissioner - Daniella Levine Cava, District 8. Biking #TheBikeDistrict

I was honored to appear on "Get to Know Your Commissioner" with Jeanette Perez with our District 8 Commissioner, Daniella Levine Cava, to discuss bicycling in our community.  CLICK HERE to view some of my past blog posts relating to bicycling/bike commuting.

I look forward to promoting future discussions about realizing "bicycle tourism" for our area (there will be more to follow in later posts).

Bicycling is many things to many people, but it is often described as the 'new golf' in hobby popularity* as well as the main means of transportation for others (just look at how many County buses have bikes on their front bike racks)- biking is green and healthy transportation; competitive and recreational exercise and is just a plain and healthy way to spend time with friends and/or family and view Palmetto Bay and surrounding areas - our Palmetto Bay as well as what is becoming known, under Commissioner Levine Cava's leadership, as "#TheBikeDistrict."

Palmetto Bay is a municipal partner of Miami-Dade County Bike305, and this will continue under my leadership. I will continue to support and work with groups such as the Green Mobility Network. Thank you again for the wonderful bike valets that the volunteers of the Green Mobility Network staff at events too numerous to list fully, but include Palmetto Bay's picnic, Deering Seafood and many events at Fairchild.

Let's all continue to work together and make biking even more accessible, more fun and most of all, safer for all involved. There are many exciting bicycling events and future plans that will be unfolding in the near future (later in 2015 and well into 2016). Keep an eye out.

I am a big supporter of biking.  So look to future posts regarding a great Wheels Events slated for November 11 - 15 as well as discussion of the exciting Underline project - an idea discussed and a route taken in part during our last Miami-Dade County "Bike To Work Day." Oh and yes, and Palmetto Bay will have a "Bike to School" event as part of National Bike Month in 2016.

All because, are you ready for it? ... this is how we roll!

Thank you again commissioner!

* See Business Insider, Feb 20, 2015, "Millionaire entrepreneur explains why cycling — and not golf — is the new sport of choice for young professionals" by Daniel McMahon

No texting while driving bill passes Fla Senate 36 - 0 on April 16, 2013.

Good news for pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers.  Fla Senate passes CS/CS/CS/SB 52: Use of Wireless Communications Devices While Driving, today, 04/16/2013, 36 - 0.

 

Senate

• Read 2nd time

• Read 3rd time

• CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0

• Immediately certified

 

The bills make texting while driving a secondary offense. That means police have to first stop drivers for an offense like an illegal turn.

 

CLICK HERE to view the Fla Senate bill tracking for SB 52.

 

Note that the House side of the Florida Legislature must pass a conformed bill.  HB 13 is currently pending through the Florida House of Representatives. 

 

Groups such as the Green Mobility Network are watching and advocating for good bills to help make Miami-Dade County a safer and more enjoyable place to bicycle, run, and walk.

 

CLICK HERE to view a past Palmetto Bay e-currents (Oct. 2009) explaining past efforts from the original Palmetto Bay council on making our roadways safer for everyone, especially our students. Safe streets have been important from the very first Palmetto Bay council.  This is an effort that requires continued vigilance and work to see an idea pass, not just paying lip service.
 
Update - Miami Herald article posted on Breaking News: Texting-while-driving-ban sails through the Senate, by Rochelle Koff.  Includes The texting problem, Detert said, has become an “epidemic” with 11 teenagers dying every day in the country due to texting. Florida is one of five states without any type of texting ban.
 
 

Government intrusion or keeping us safe from distracted drivers? Statewide texting ban clears last hurdle in Senate - Florida Wires - MiamiHerald.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.: Statewide texting ban clears last hurdle in Senate - Florida Wires - MiamiHerald.com
As reported online - Miami Herald: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A statewide ban on texting while driving is now one more step closer to becoming law.

The Senate Judiciary committee unanimously cleared the bill (SB 52) on Monday. That sets it up for consideration by the full Senate. An identical House bill (HB 13) also is going to the floor there.

The bills make texting while driving a secondary offense. That means police have to first stop drivers for an offense like an illegal turn.

See Prior post of Monday, January 28, 2013, Texting while driving – will this be the year for positive action in Tallahassee?  for additional background including a link to the Fla Senate bill tracking for SB 52.

Groups such as the Green Mobility Network are watching and advocating for good bills to help make Miami-Dade County a safer and more enjoyable place to bicycle, run, and walk.

The prior post includes a link to a past Palmetto Bay e-currents (Oct. 2009) explaining past efforts from the original Palmetto Bay council on making our roadways safer for everyone, especially our students. Safe streets have been important from the very first Palmetto Bay council.  This is an effort that requires continued vigilance and work to see an idea pass, not just paying lip service. 

Don't miss it! 9th annual Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay - Sun, March 24, 2013 from 10 am to 6 pm

The Deering Estate Foundation's 9th annual Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay will be held Sunday, March 24, 2013 from 10 am to 6 pm.  Will we see you there?

Late March has become known for Deering Seafood Festival time in South Dade. CLICK HERE or HERE to view past photos and coverage of this wonderful event. Once again, I plan to travel by bike in order to work up an appetite before as well as some after event exercise. Alexandra and I will again be again traveling the green route, via bike and using the FREE BIKE VALET SERVICE at the Main Gate courtesy again of Green Mobility Network! (including Palmetto Bay bike advocate Eric Tullberg)

Official information can be found on the Deering Estate website: www.deeringestate.org.

Texting while driving – will this be the year for positive action in Tallahassee?

I have not heard of one person stepping forward in support of texting while driving, yet the ban never seems to pass in Tallahassee. Is it an issue as to how to best enforce?

I am told that the bill most likely to succeed this legislative session is SB52 (CLICK HERE), and it will see modifications as the bill progresses. Groups such as the Green Mobility Network are watching and advocating for good bills to help make Miami-Dade County a safer and more enjoyable place to bicycle, run, and walk.

CLICKHERE to view a past Palmetto Bay e-currents (Oct. 2009) explaining past efforts from the Palmetto Bay council on making our roadways safer for everyone, especially our students.

Safe streets have been important from the very first Palmetto Bay council.

"Give Miami Day." The Miami Foundation is currently matching online donations to Green Mobility Network

Looking for an end of the year donation opportunity.  Well here is one that CAN be matched!

"Give Miami Day" started just after midnight last night and runs until midnight tonight, December 12. 

Members and Friends of Green Mobility Network can go online donate to Green Mobility Network. You can get to the page by clicking the following link.  

Every donation between $25 and $10,000 received through the Give Miami Day website during the 24-hour period will have a percentage matched by the Miami Foundation.

 Here's the link provided by Hank Sanchez-Resnik,Chair, Board of Directors:

 Click here to go to the Green Mobility Network donation page.

CLICK HERE to view the Green Mobility Network's official web site and read more about what this group does for our community.   

Members of the Green Mobility Network have been active in Palmetto Bay.  I was privileged to work with Palmetto Bay bicycling/green transportation champion Eric Tullberg, an officer in the Green Mobility network, in years past.  Eric has served several years on the county’s Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and was secretary of the village’s Old Cutler Path Committee. He’s also a member of the Palmetto Bay Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Committee and the Biscayne Everglades Greenway Advisory Committee. Eric has worked hard in past years to put together an outstanding family bike ride that included environmental talks including South Florida Water Management District speakers at designated rest stops.  This is an event that should be brought back to Palmetto Bay!

Eric and others from the Green Mobility network have also encouraged use of bikes as alternative transportation, creating and manning the bike valet for major events in Palmetto Bay such as The Deering Estate’s Seafood Festival (photo above).