WEST MEETS EAST: BICYCLE ADVOCACY IN

CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDATimothy Bustos, Sr.

Executive Director Florida Bicycle Association

California at a Glance

Florida

How the Rest of the World Views Florida

Comparative Geography and Demographics

California Florida

Square miles 155,779 58,560

Miles of Coastline 840 1,350

Population 38,332,521 19,552,860

Incorporated Cities 482 282

Counties 58 67

Davis, California: 2005 Platinum Level Bicycle-Friendly Community

Davis Bicycle Policy:

Develop a continuous and interconnected bicycle transportation network for both recreation and transportation thatserves the core area,neighborhoods, schools, and employmentcenters.

Interstate 80 Undercrossing

Davis, California

Davis High School

Holmes Jr. High

UC Davis Roundabout

Bike Signal Heads - Davis

Daytona Beach, Florida

New Advocacy Challenges

International Speedway Blvd.

Advocacy Challenges – Part 2

Bike Path, Palm Beach

On the Beach, St. Augustine

Lake Monroe Bike Path

Florida Trail Hazards

Trail Hazards in Florida

The Boardwalk – Hollywood, FL

Wilderness Trail, FL

Differences in Bike Advocacy Between California and Florida

1. History2. Leadership – The “Davis Triangle”3. Demographics4. Climate/Terrain5. Bike Culture

Davis, 1966

Examples of Differences in Approach: West Coast vs. East Coast

California Florida

1. Climate Change x2. Air Quality x3. Health/Obesity x

maybe4. Traffic Congestion x

maybe5. Livability x

maybe6. Safety x

x 7. Economic Development x

x

Lessons to be Learned

Choose your audience carefully.

Do your homework – what are your subjects’ priorities? These will change a great deal from city to city – more so on the East Coast than the West Coast – particularly in the southeast.

Choose your battles carefully. Be sure about “which sword you want to fall on.”