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Contact: Susan Barnes
Phone: (813) 943-1639
E-mail: susan@susanbbarnes.com
For Immediate Release:
TAMPA Bay Area celebrates national bike month with
MONTHLONG BayCycle EVENTS
TAMPA, Fla. (April 3, 2007) – The New North
Transportation Alliance and the Tampa Downtown Partnership announce Tampa
BayCycle, a recently-formed initiative that encourages commuters to cycle to
work, school or play during the month of May, National Bike MonthTM.
This is the first year that a bicycling initiative of this nature will be
held in the Tampa Bay area. Tampa BayCycle is made possible through a grant
from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Through Tampa BayCycle, 1,001 cyclists are being
recruited to participate in the initiative and to become a part of the
‘Elite 100’ and ‘Friends of Cycling.’
The Elite 100 is a group of bicyclists who know that
riding a bike provides for a sound mind, fit body, and helps the
environment. Those who join the Elite 100 commit to encourage at least five
other friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, community leaders, or
anyone who wants to join the movement, to try bicycle commuting during the
month of May. Those who are recruited can become part of the Friends of
Cycling, a long-term network of cyclists.
"With Tampa BayCycle, we hope to generate an awareness of
bicycling as a mode of transportation," said Karen Kress, director of
transportation and planning, Tampa Downtown Partnership. "Fifteen
percent
of trips are within one
mile of home and could easily be taken by
bicycle instead of car.
"With a helmet and the proper safety skills, biking
becomes a much more feasible and healthier way to get around."
In addition to the Elite 100 and Friends of Cycling,
activities are planned throughout the month of May, including a relay
proclamation signing by the Mayors of Tampa, Temple Terrace, St. Petersburg
and Clearwater; bike to work days; business, individual and bike club
challenges; bike movie nights; street skills safety classes; bike giveaways;
photo contests and more. All activities are free and open to the public. A
schedule of events can be found at the end of this release.
Participants in the Commuter Challenges can track their
weekly miles using the new GoLog© on www.TampaBayCycle.com. At
the end of the month winners of the challenges will receive bike lights,
wireless cyclometers, and gift certificates depending on the category won.
"We are encouraging people of all ages and abilities to
ride bicycles to their destinations instead of driving," said Julie Bond,
executive director, New North Transportation Alliance. Bond, an avid bicycle
commuter herself, hopes the month will bring greater visibility to the needs
of cyclist in the Tampa Bay area.
Bond also encourages cyclists along with drivers to sign
up for one of the Bicycle Street Skills classes offered during May. "Bicycle
safety is a top priority and through education, bicyclist and motorists can
share the roads more safely and enjoyably."
For those who bike to work, select Bay area YMCAs are
offering their locker room and shower facilities to clean up before heading
into the office. Tampa BayCycle participants should identify themselves as
such at the front desk to obtain access to the locker rooms.
Area residents are invited to enter ‘Words for Wheels,’
an essay-based bike giveaway contest. To enter, participants should submit a
100-word essay detailing how winning a bike would change their lives. Two
winning entries will be selected, and the winning authors will each receive
a Trek 820 bike (retail $259), courtesy of Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium and
Oliver’s Cycle Sports.
Those interested in entering ‘Words for Wheels’ can
submit their essays online at www.TampaBayCycle.com, or by mailing their
entries to Words for Wheels, New North Transportation Alliance, University
of South Florida CUTR, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., CUT 100, Tampa, FL, 33620.
Entries must be received by Friday, April 20; the bikes will be awarded
Tuesday, May 1, the beginning of National Bike Month.
For additional information regarding Tampa
BayCycle and a complete schedule of events, please visit
www.TampaBayCycle.com.
Schedule of Events:
Tuesday, April 24, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Street Skills Class (bike safety)
TECO Plaza
702 E. Tampa St., Tampa
Lunch included
RSVP: KKress@tpadowntown.com
Hosted by the Tampa Downtown Partnership
Friday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Street Skills Class (bike safety)
Center for Urban Transportation Research/USF
4202 E. Fowler Ave, CUT100, Tampa
Lunch included
RSVP: bond@cutr.usf.edu
May 1 -31
Commuter Challenge
Log your miles during May and win prizes
www.TampaBayCycle.com
Tuesday, May 1
Proclamation Bicycle Relay and kick off reception
Temple Terrace, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater
A team of bicyclists will carry a proclamation to each location to
spread the word that May is National Bike Month.
Tuesday, May 1, 7 p.m.
Bicycle Movie Night
Sacred Grounds Coffee
4819 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa
Enjoy coffee and a free bicycle-themed movie with friends.
Friday, May 18
National Bike to Work Day
Log miles at www.TampaBayCycle.com
A continuously-updated Schedule of Events is available at
www.TampaBayCycle.com.
Tampa BayCycle encourages commuters to cycle to work,
school or play. Tampa BayCycle was recently formed through efforts of the
New North Transportation Alliance and the Tampa Downtown Partnership. For
more information, visit www.TampaBayCycle.com.
# # #
Tampa BayCycle is a creation of the New North Transportation Alliance and the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
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