The new FDOT Safety Office webpages uploaded to the Department's Website Wednesday afternoon include the Ped/Bike Program and Community Traffic Safety Team pages.
Theo (Petritsch, Florida Pedestrian/Bicycle Coordinator) was holed up with the Web doctors for several hours in his office, until the baby was delivered. We're all happy and relieved.
Point your browser to www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/. On the map of the Sunshine State that appears, click on the "Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety" icon positioned in what would appear to be the environs of Ocala.
There should be enough safety tips to satiate a safety glutton on these pages, including the classic "Bicycles are Vehicles: Florida's Bicycle Laws" brochure. But you will also find:
--Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Staff (get contact information for your local coordinator)
--Florida School Crossing Guard Training Program
--Pedestrian Laws and...
--Bicycle Laws (verbatim extracts from Florida Statutes--no need to hunt anymore through the sub-subsection-strewn jungles of Chapter 316)
--Bicycle Touring Information (info on maps, roads, books, tour operators, trails, accommodations...)
--Florida Policies and Standards (provides overview of FDOT documents controlling bike/ped design standards. Pedestrian Planning & Design Handbook can be downloaded now, Bicycle Facilities Planning and Design Handbook will soon be available. Other documents can be ordered from FDOT Maps & Publications.)
--Contact Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety (email hotline to the state coordinator)
Check the Website first, save a tree.