Apopka Police Department and other agencies team up to protect trail users

Less than half of all drivers yield to pedestrians at Central Florida trail crossings, according to data collected by the Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety (BFF) program. To educate drivers and help reverse this dangerous trend, officers and deputies are teaming up for a series of enforcement details at popular trail crossings between April 25 and May 5, 2023.

Despite trails being known as high-traffic areas for people walking and biking, data collected through the BFF program shows that only 46% of drivers are yielding to pedestrians at the 12 popular trail crossings being monitored this year. During Operation Best Foot Forward, plainclothes officers and deputies will cross streets at marked crosswalks, giving drivers enough time to slow down and stop safely. Drivers who do not stop as Florida law requires will be pulled over and face a minimum $164 citation and three (3) points on their driver’s license.

“Central Florida’s trails are a popular destination for locals and visitors,” said Emily Hanna, Executive Director of Bike/Walk Central Florida, the nonprofit organization that administers the Best Foot Forward program. “Drivers should always be extra cautious around trail crossings, where more people are walking and biking.”

Operation Best Foot Forward is part of the Best Foot Forward coalition’s larger effort to change driver behavior through persistent education, high-visibility crosswalk enforcement, and low-cost engineering installations.

CROSSWALK LOCATIONS INCLUDE:

The Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety (BFF) program is administered by the local non-profit Bike/Walk Central Florida (BWCF). BFF was created to reverse the conflict between pedestrians and drivers by focusing on one specific behavior change – getting more drivers to yield for pedestrians at marked crosswalks as Florida law requires. More than a campaign, Best Foot Forward is a behavior change-based program designed to improve road safety through consistent and persistent education, high-visibility crosswalk enforcement, and low-cost engineering countermeasures at marked crosswalks.

Best Foot Forward operates in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties and is the largest pedestrian-focused grassroots coalition in the nation, working with more than 35 local and regional partners. Since launching in 2012, the percentage of drivers yielding to people in marked crosswalks has increased from 17% to more than 52% on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph and lower and from 2% to 43% on roads 40 mph and higher. To learn more, visit iyield4peds.org.

ABOUT BIKE/WALK CENTRAL FLORIDA

BWCF is a 501(c)(3) formed in 2010, with a mission to make communities more walkable, bikeable, and rollable. Focusing on advocacy, education, and policy changes, BWCF is working to normalize walking and biking, striving towards a connected active-transportation network that is safe, equitable, and accessible, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to bike and walk more in their community! 

BWCF’s efforts span several programs and projects to support its vision to transform Central Florida into a premiere biking and walking community. They:

• Facilitate the Healthy West Orange Trails Connection, formed by the Foundation for a Healthier West Orange, accelerating the implementation of projects that support walking, cycling, and wellness activities. 
• Coordinate the annual BIKE 5 event promoting safe bicycling routes and enhanced multi-use trails throughout Central Florida.  
• Administer the Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety program, the largest grassroots coalition in the country, reducing serious pedestrian injuries and fatalities.  

To learn more, go to BikeWalkCentralFlorida.org.