Tour de Lance fever

With the return of Lance Armstrong, many recreational and casual cyclists turn their attention to the Tour de France — the Super Bowl of cycling — and to cycling in general. During Mr. Armstrong's three-year absence, that wasn't the case.

While those who regularly ride or race bikes likely follow the Tour regardless of Armstrong's participation, others need a story like his to be interested enough to actually watch it. As with Tiger Woods and the PGA, even though there's plenty of talent among the professional athletes, casual observers won't really be interested if the main attraction is a no-show. Just like the Tour de France while Lance was MIA, PGA viewership slipped during Tiger's knee surgery rehab.

That's not to say it's bad that one person wields so much influence.

From my perspective, as a former public health professional and health reducator, anyone and anything that encourages folks to get out and get active is good. Heck, even some of the sponsors' socially-responsible commercials have a constructive effect — in spite of the fact that they are employed only to sell products — by promoting concepts such as sharing the road and improving one's health through fitness. Friends in the retail bicycle industry tell me that sales increase during the Tour, another positive consequence, especially since most bike shops are locally owned businesses.

From a personal standpoint, whenever I cycle, run, walk or do yard work this time of year in the heat and humidity and get to feel a little sorry for myself, I simply think of the 170 Tour de France participants and it immediately puts things in perspective. More significantly, as I pass by roofers, road construction crews and others who labor daily in Florida's hot summer sun, it becomes quite evident that I deserve no sympathy.

But one potential benefit of Lance and the Tour, that would be the most farreaching, is the recognition of cyclists as legitimate users of our roads. However, this long-overdue outcome can only come about if would-be Tour de France riders — among other cyclists — follow the rules of the road when we're out there mixing it up with other traffic. What a tribute it would be to this greatest cyclist of our time if respect from motorists (and transportation professionals) results from Lance Armstrong's Herculean effort and our support.

BikeWalkLee update

There was a delay in voting on the resolution by the Metropolitan Planning Organization that would formally set policy that all governments in Lee County

will methodically and objectively consider including appropriate accommodation for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users on every transportation project undertaken. As expected, arguments put forth by the representative of Lee County Department of Transportation caused MPO members to step back and ask that the three committees that had submitted a version of the resolution to come to a consensus on its exact wording. If you'd like to be part of the joint meeting of the Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinating Committee, Citizens Advisory Committee, and Technical Advisory Committee, please attend the July 21 meeting. It gets underway at 9:30 a.m. at Southwest Regional Planning Council, 1926 Victoria Ave. near downtown Fort Myers. The agenda, resolution, and directions can be found at www.mpo-swfl.org.

In another related matter, Lee County commissioners will consider the adoption of a similar but more comprehensive resolution being put forth by the Smart Growth Committee. Among other elements, it would address Lee DOT's policy of refusing to designate bike lanes, the very issue that led to the creation of BikeWalkLee more than a year ago. Again, as expected, Lee DOT is resisting much of the transportationrelated aspects of the proposal for reasons that can only be described as tired and out of touch. The board will discuss this at its Aug. 3 management and planning meeting. Details are available at www.smartgrowthlee.com and www.lee-county.com/gov/bocc/Pages/ MPAgendas.aspx.

Until next time, I'll look for you on the roads and trails.

— Dan Moser is the league cycling instructor/trainer and program manager for the Florida Bicycle Association who cycles, runs and walks regularly for transportation, recreation and fitness. He may be contacted at dan@florida b i cycle. org or 334-6417.

upcoming events

>> Running/Walking: Summer Fun Run Series, every other Tuesday through Aug. 25, locations vary, www.ftmyerstrackclub. com For details of these and other running events check with the Fort Myers Track Club (www. ftmyerstrackclub.com) and 3-D Runners (www.3drunners.org). For Naples running info it's the Gulf Coast Runners (www. gcrunner.org). Charlotte County running information is at www.zoomersrun.com.

>> Cycling: Visit Caloosa Riders Bicycle Club at www.caloosariders. com, Florida Mudcutters at www. mudcutters.org, Naples Pathways Coalition at www.naplespathways.org, and Naples Velo at www.naplesvelo.com for more information on local bicycling activities, including weekly rides. The Florida Bicycle Association (www. floridabicycle.org) is your source for statewide happenings.