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BayCycle is Coming to Tampa Bay

A movement called Tampa BayCycle is happening in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to get commuters to bike to work, school or even play. Tampa BayCycle brings together people who believe that riding a bicycle benefits everyone from individuals to the entire Tampa Bay Community. Bicycle commuters save money and gas, stay fit, reduce traffic congestion, and most importantly, have fun.

BayCycle will kick off during National Bike Month this May offering activities that will include Bike to Work Days, Commuter Challenges, Safety Classes, and Free Bike Gear.

BayCycle is for individuals, communities, businesses, government, schools, and ANYONE who wants to join the movement. BayCycle is recruiting the “elite 100”, a group of bicyclists who will create a “ripple effect” of cycling. The “elite 100” will work to create the “1,000 friends” of cycling. The “1,000 friends” of cycling are those who try riding a bicycle to work, school or play at least one day during the month of May.

Tampa BayCycle is hosted by the New North Transportation Alliance and the Tampa Downtown Partnership and sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation. Watch for the new website, www.tampabaycycle.com which will be launched in early March, 2007. To become a sponsor or for general information on how you can become involved, contact the New North Transportation Alliance at 813-974-9799.

Transit Scenarios Workshop Offers Citizens
Transit Planning Opportunity

The Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is working with citizens, local governments, civic leaders, transportation agencies, and technical experts to develop future scenarios for transit options and supportive community design in Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and Hillsborough County in an effort to address the pressing issue of the County’s growing mobility needs. Citizens are invited to participate in planning future transit service and distinctive transit-oriented development sites to best serve Hillsborough communities by attending an interactive Transit Scenarios Workshop being held during one of two sessions on Tuesday, March 13th at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Participants will take part in creating future scenarios using a game board (maps) and game chips (community design types). All of the ideas generated will be analyzed for costs and benefits. Don’t miss this opportunity to plan a better transit future for our community!

Transit Scenarios Workshop – March 13
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm or 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Florida Center Building (near the Botanical Gardens)
Use the Orient Road Entrance for Free Parking

HART Plans to Launch Local Flexible Bus Service

HART has beefed up express service to the suburbs and launched neighborhood circulators over the past two years and now is planning to launch a new service that will pick up passengers at their door. The local flexible bus service, which HART is hoping to launch in spring of 2007, will provide service within “flex zones” that offer fixed stops with designated times, or prearranged (by reservation) pick-ups within the service area.

To catch a flex bus, riders would call a dispatcher at least two hours ahead of time to give their address and destination. Drivers will pull up to the curb in front of the house. If going shopping, riders would arrange with the driver when to meet outside the store. The service will use 12-passenger buses, similar to airport shuttles, and fares will match those on local routes, $1.50 one way and 75 cents for seniors/disabled.

Seven flex routes are planned, including areas of 4 square miles each in Town 'N Country, Carrollwood, Temple Terrace, Seffner and three in Brandon. A combination of federal and county grants will pay for startup costs. The first zone will roll out in late April, and the others will start in May and June. HART is meeting with neighborhood groups and asking riders to fill out surveys on its Web site, www.hartline.org, to gauge interest and generate support and will start marketing the service more aggressively in a month or two.

To learn more, call the HART information line, (813) 254-4278 or go to www.hartline.org.

Want to save money & make better use of your time by carpooling or vanpooling-
but don't know anyone to share the commute with?
We may be able to help! Join the regional rideshare database by following the link on the Commuter page of our website, www.newnorthalliance.org,  or by calling 813-974-9799 to speak with a New North Transportation Alliance representative.