SWFBUD Thanks HCSO For Arresting Drivers Who Killed Bicyclist

Dear Sheriff Gee and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office,

On behalf of SWFBUD (South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers), I want to thank you and your staff for arresting the drivers who were connected to the death of bicyclist Robert Niedbalec, a Temple Terrace resident who was killed while he rode his bicycle in a bike lane on Fletcher Avenue on a Sunday afternoon on Feb. 13 at 1:46 pm.

As you know, Hillsborough County suffered a string of tragic bicyclist deaths and an important element is arresting and prosecuting motorists who engage in reckless and lawless behavior that lead to bicyclist deaths.

I appreciate your efforts and please continue your hard work and committed efforts. Please pass our appreciation to the State Attorney's Office as well for their efforts.

All the best,

Alan Snel

SWFBUD Talks Bicycling With Tampa Bay Partnership

SWFBUD talked with the Tampa Bay Partnership during the Bicycle Bash Sunday about the the value and importance of bicycling in Tampa Bay.

Mayor Buckhorn Talks Bicycling While Bicycling

SWFBUD interviewed Mayor Buckhorn during the 2011 Bicycle Bash Festival Sunday.


Plus, check out the Bash photos:


SWFBUD celebrated bicycling in Tampa Bay with its 5th annual Bicycle Bash Festival at Flatwoods Park. The venue was a former parking lot tucked between Flatwoods' 7-mile loop at the "Y" water station and a mountain bike trail and woods.

Gorgeous weather, a wonderful crowd of more than 2,000 and a super mix of bicyclists made for another memorable Bash.

It included Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn leading a bike ride around the 7-mile loop and a host of cool bike activities and groups.

Channel 10 Bike Story Hits Close To Home

Channel 10 did a touching story on Genevieve Almodovar, who is overseeing the kids arts and crafts program at the Bicycle Bash to honor the memory of her mom Diane Vega. A red light runner killed Diane while she was on her bike commute home from work on Oct. 1, 2010.

Bike Bash Ahead!

Thank you Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office for placing this sign on Morris Bridge Road just east of I-75 to tell everyone about the Bicycle Bash at fabulous Flatwoods Park Sunday.

Tampa Police did the same on Bruce B. Downs for the other entrance into Flatwoods. Thanks go out to Tampa's John Newman for that sign.

I spent this afternoon laying out the Bash site and all systems go for a full day of celebrating bicycling in Tampa Bay Sunday.

County parks at Flatwoods led by Kevin Church, Eddie, The Grizz, Ranger Rick and the whole crew have been wonderful. See you guys bright and early tomorrow. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep

Creative Loafing Previews Sunday's Bicycle Bash

Thank you Julie Garisto at Creative Loafing for doing a wonderful job previewing the Bicycle Bash in the magazine's "do this" section on page 5.

Creative Loafing also wrote a cover story two months ago on SWFBUD's BAM Network idea for a regionwide paved trail system in Hillsborough County/Tampa. See you Sunday.
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SWFBUD Bicycle Bash Draws Media Coverage

Check out the cool Patch.com story on Sunday's Bicycle Bash.

Recognize the by-line?

Also, Brian Eckman of Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium and I met Channel 10 News at Flatwoods this morning to talk about the Bash. Look for coverage Friday and Saturday.

Bicycle Bash Draws All-Star Food Line-up

This year's Bicycle Bash Festival features an all-star selection of food, with our headliner being the Taco Bus Food Truck.

But we have others, too, including The Killer Samich Food Truck, La Cepereria Cafe Food Truck of Ybor City, Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant and Little Greek Restaurant.

Here's Dino of La Creperia Cafe in action.


The Killer Samich Food Truck will be at Flatwoods, too.


And the famed Taco Bus will be at the Bash.

Tampa Tribune Reports On Sunday's Bicycle Bash Festival

Ken Knight of the Tampa Tribune wrote a terrific story about Sunday's Bicycle Bash.