Fw: February Update from FBA President, Richard Garrett

[Tom Saunders]

If you are not a member of the Florida Bicycle Association please consider supporting their efforts.

For an example of the good that they do see below.

Thanks

Tom

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From: Florida Bicycle Association <in...@floridabicycle.org>
Sent: Monday, February 2, 2026 8:19 AM
To: Tom Saunders <saunde...@gmail.com>
Subject: February Update from FBA President, Richard Garrett

 

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online. February Update Hello, friends of the Florida Bicycle Association. This is Richard Garrett, President of the Florida Bicycle Association. Thank you for staying connected with FBA and supporting our mission to advance safe and accessible bicycling statewide.   This February, I want to focus on something that affects every family and every road user in Florida: driver distraction, and the serious crashes it can cause, including crashes involving people bicycling and kids of all ages.   Florida’s safety data makes the point plainly. Preliminary 2024 numbers show nearly 300 people died and more than 2,200 suffered serious bodily injuries in crashes involving distracted drivers. In 2024, 207 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in Florida (preliminary). These are not just statistics. These are people, families, and communities.   What we’re focusing on this month 1) Distracted driving prevention (simple actions that save lives) The most important message is also the simplest: Put the phone down. Look up. If you’re driving, please set navigation before you move, enable “Do Not Disturb While Driving,” and keep the phone out of reach. Those small changes prevent crashes.   2) Kids and family safety Whether kids are riding to school, riding in neighborhoods, or crossing driveways and intersections, they deserve our full attention behind the wheel. Please slow down in school zones and residential areas, and double-check before turning or pulling out.   3) Hands-free driving legislation (a nonpartisan safety issue) Florida lawmakers are again considering a stronger hands-free driving requirement. We’ll continue to follow it and share clear, practical updates, because reducing distraction is one of the most direct ways to reduce preventable crashes. Learn more about the proposal here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1241   What to expect from us in February We’re continuing our rhythm of one short video per week (under 2 minutes) on YouTube, Facebook, and our website, focused on distracted driving prevention, kids’ safety, and practical steps that reduce risk.   In case you missed these free resources 1) Florida Bicycle Safety Quiz (free) A quick refresher that helps start better conversations about sharing the road, whether you ride, drive, or both. https://floridabicycle.org/bicycle-safety-quiz Quick ask: Take it today and share it with one other person.   2) Parents: E-Bike Gift Guide Helpful guidance for families on readiness, safety gear, and what to look for before buying an e-bike for a young rider. https://floridabicycle.org/news/the-parents-e-bike-gift-guide Quick ask: Share it with a parent, grandparent, or guardian who’s considering an e-bike.   Support safer, more accessible bicycling statewide If you believe Florida should be better for people who want to bicycle, and people who need to bicycle, please consider supporting FBA: Become a Member: https://floridabicycle.app.neoncrm.com/forms/membership Donate: https://floridabicycle.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate   With appreciation, Richard Garrett         President, Florida Bicycle Association https://floridabicycle.org | pres...@floridabicycle.org P.S. If your club, school, or community group would like a short safety presentation or resources to share, email us at in...@floridabicycle.org.   Log In   The Florida Bicycle Association is a 501c3, membership-based organization that mobilizes volunteers and partners to make Florida better for people who want to bicycle and for people who need to bicycle. We advocate for better policies and infrastructure, we provide training and education for cyclists, motorists and other roadway users, and we deliver direct assistance to communities. Our programs lead to changes that make bicycling safe, accessible, and accepted throughout the Sunshine State. We rely on member support to fuel our programs. Join here. The Florida Bicycle Association complies fully with Florida's laws regarding soliciting charitable contributions, which require that we share the following statement: "A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Contact the Division at (800) 435-7352 or www.floridaconsumerhelp.com." The Florida Bicycle Association's state registration number is CH9008. A copy of the Association's financial statements may be obtained by contacting us at Florida Bicycle Association, P.O. Box 770688, Winter Garden, FL 34777. This email was sent to saunde...@gmail.com. Click here to unsubscribe.