Education and

Encouragement

For Pedestrians

and Bicyclists in

Tampa Bay

Presented by

Julie Bond, MPA, LCI Senior Research Associate

Center for Urban Transportation Research

University of South Florida

Funded by FDOT

WalkWise Tampa Bay and Tampa BayCycle are

grassroots efforts providing pedestrian and bicyclist

safety education to citizens and guests in the

Tampa Bay area

Source: Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Report, 2012

10 Year Trend – Pedestrian Fatalities

Florida

MISSION STATEMENT:

Tampa BayCycle

promotes safe and

enjoyable biking for

everyday transportation

and recreation for a

livable community.

Founded in 2007, Tampa

BayCycle was created

by the joint efforts of the

New North

Transportation Alliance

and the Tampa

Downtown Partnership

and funded by the

Florida Department of

Transportation.

95

119119

124121

118

94

76

120

116

50

100

150

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Source: Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Report, 2012

10 Year Trend – Bicyclists Fatalities

Florida

• Over 1,600 presentations to diverse audiences (2009-2014)

• Over 22,000 Ambassadors have taken the pledge

Have Laptop, Will Travel

• Projectors

• Laptops

• Audience Response System (ARS)

•Reflective Backpacks •Bike Lights •Reflective Bands •Bookmarks •Safety Handouts

Targeted Audiences

The WalkWise Tips

Always be alert. Never text or talk on your phone

while crossing a road.

WALKWISE

Audience Response System

• Choose by clicking on the corresponding number

• Change answer prior to the poll closing – last answer will be recorded

• All answers are anonymous, and stored for reporting

• Participation is voluntary

When sidewalks are not available on a roadway, as a pedestrian you should:

1. 2.

15%

85%

1. Walk on the shoulder AGAINST TRAFFIC

2. Walk on the shoulder WITH TRAFFIC

It is legal for a bicyclist to ride on a roadway with traffic.

1. True

2. False

True

False

15%

85%

Riding with traffic is legal.

At a crosswalk with a pedestrian signal, you can START crossing with which of the following signals:

A. Flashing Hand

B. Steady Walking

C. Flashing Hand w/countdown

D. Steady Hand

Flash

ing H

and

Steady W

alkin

g

Flash

ing H

and w/c

ount...

Steady H

and

0%

12%8%

81%

A B C D

30,000 cards have been distributed to

guests at hotels along Gulf Blvd.

This program will go

state-wide!

Public-Private Partnerships

30,000 cards are currently being

distributed in racks at hotels along Gulf Blvd.

Empower Yourself and Others

I pledge to WalkWise, Bike Smart and Drive Safely and spread the word about the importance of pedestrian

safety to my friends, family, neighbors,

colleagues and others!

• Social marketing research has shown that taking a written pledge, particularly with one’s peers or community, is a great motivator for action (Lee and Kotler, 2008).

• Over 14,000 people have taken the WalkWise Pledge to date at over 1,300 presentations, events, and sweeps.

The Power of a Pledge

Key Findings

Key findings from the collection of data through the audience response system show that learning retention was high:

– Before the presentations, only 65 percent of valid respondents correctly answered that a pedestrian should walk on the shoulder against traffic when sidewalks are not available.

– Immediately after the WalkWise presentation, about 90 percent of valid respondents answered correctly.

Key Findings

A similar finding was observed for safe bicycle behavior.

– Before the presentation, only 42 percent of respondents correctly answered that bicyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks.

– After the presentation approximately 93 percent correctly responded that bicyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks mixed with pedestrians.

• Presentation - interactive & fun utilizing an ARS • Presenters – enthusiastic, knowledgeable, committed • Length/Customization – 15 minute perfect as meeting add

on; 30 minute and 1 hour presentations • Sweeps - conducted along high-crash corridors, dropping

off literature and talking one-on-one • Feedback - customer feedback was utilized immediately • Innovation - voice-over videos for office monitors • Response –clients received quick response • Pledge – Taking pledges has proven effective, increasing the

likelihood that the target market will actually follow through with a good intention.

Key to Success

Julie Bond bond@cutr.usf.edu

813.974.9799

Center for Urban Transportation Research University of South Florida

Tampa, FL 33620