Rhonda Smalls displays the plaque at Tampa City Hall

To encourage people to try bicycle commuting, local cycling advocates, joined by SWFBUD (South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers), have declared Sunday, July 4, 2010, “Independence from Oil Day.” To declare their own independence, people should leave their motor vehicles at home that day and use bicycles (or walk) to get around. To help celebrate the day, there will be two “Declare Your Independence from Oil” bicycle rides, starting that morning from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Ashley Dr. (between Zack and Twiggs Streets) in downtown Tampa. Both rides will start at 8 a.m., but riders should try to arrive at the park between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m.*

The shorter ride will be about 11 miles long and will go down scenic Bayshore Blvd. to Ballast Point Park, then head back to downtown. Route map for short ride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/fl/tampa/910127732519235986.  The longer ride will be about 24.5 miles long and will also go to Ballast Point Park, then west on Gandy Blvd.mand across the Gandy Bridge, turning back after reaching the Pinellas side of the bridge.

Route map for long ride: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/fl/tampa/733127732460144652

Declare your independence this 4th of July, and help free yourself and your country from its costly and dangerous addiction to oil. (Since the theme of the event is “independence from oil,” participants are encouraged to ride their bicycles from home to downtown Tampa. To find a more bike-friendly route to get there, people can use the bicycle directions feature on Google Maps — http://maps.google.com/.)

*All participants in this event assume responsibility for their own actions and safety. By participating, they agree to absolve all organizers and sponsors of the event of all blame and liability for any harm, injury, or loss that may result from participating in the event. All bicyclists must wear a bicycle helmet and ride a bicycle in good operating condition.

                          

Karen, Jessica, Jose and Julie

Congratulations to Jose Menendez and Jessica Brenner!

Jose was named the Tampa BayCycle Ambassador of the Year and Jessica Brenner chosen as the Student Ambassador.  Jose and Jessica use their bicycles as their primary mode of transportation and spend countless hours promoting the benefits of cycling in our community. They were awarded the honor at the end of National Bike Month wrap up party donated by Splitsville.

We thank them for their support and dedication to bicycling.

                          

Click on this link to view complete details: Urban Restaurant Ride, May 27, 2010

                          

 Don’t forget that you can also track your CO2 reduction and fuel savings by logging your miles on the Commute Calendar. Go to www.TampaBayRideshare.org. Click the button on the left hand side of the page that says Commute Calendar. If you have previously registered with BACS then you will need to log-in to get to your Commute Calendar. If you are not registered, then you will need to take a couple of minutes to fill out the registration form online. We will send you your login information to the email address you provide to us. Once you log in, Click on the Calendar icon and start logging your commute miles!

                          

DATE: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Time: 12:00 noon sharp – 1:30 PM
Location: Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR)
4202 E. Fowler, CUT100, Room 207 (second floor)
Located off of Alumni between the Engineering Bld. and the Beard Parking Garage