The Seventh Bike Miami Day Sets Record

I'd like to thank all of volunteers, staff, friends and supporters of Bike Miami Days. Sunday's event was another great day to be in Downtown Miami, with thousands of people of all ages enjoying the open streets. I'd like to offer a special thank you to the Miami Downtown Development Authority for sponsoring the Children's Corner, great live music and the Dance Contest prizes of 6 bicycles and 1 tandem.

Bike Miami Days has really become a movement here in Miami, and it is getting attention around the country. As the Miami Herald wrote yesterday, we are the first U.S. City to host seven events like this. I hope that you will take a moment to share with me your experience with Bike Miami Days, so that we can make our next event (scheduled for October) the best yet. Please send me an email, here.

The City of Miami plans to break ground on several bike lanes projects this summer, including parts of Northeast 2nd Avenue, North Bayshore Drive and the North Spring Garden Greenway. And through October, volunteers and City of Miami Police Bike Patrol Officers will be leading monthly community "Bike Miami Rides". I'll post more information soon.

To see some more pictures from yesterday's event, please visit my Facebook page.

-Manny

Miami one of "10 great places for runners to hit the road"

USA Today's Travel Section and Runner's World have placed Miami among the "10 great places for runners to hit the road," pointing out our very own ING Miami Marathon, which will be held next Jan. 31, 2010.

Read more about why Miami is such a great place to lace up your sneakers and go for a run!

"Before the summer heat really hits, lace up your sneakers and do a little sightseeing while racing through town. Bart Yasso, chief running officer at Runner's World, shares his list of great road races where runners can tour the city with Kelly DiNardo for USA TODAY"

Read more...

Last Bike Miami Days of the Season!

TOMORROW: Sunday, May 17th in Downtown Miami

Join me for Bike Miami Days, The Last Event of the Season

***Win A Bicycle**
From 9:00 to 2:00pm, explore your city in a new way – walking, cycling, skating the streets of Downtown from Flagler Street to Mary Brickell Village and everywhere in between.

Family-Friendly * No Bike Required
NO START or END, JUST OPEN STREET
ALL FREE
Kid’s Corner * Bicycle Rentals
Yoga & Stretching Classes
Raffles, Prizes, Giveaways
and so much more!

Visit http://www.bike-miami.com/ for all the details!
RSVP on FACEBOOK

The Power of One Solar Car Visits Miami City Hall

This Thursday, the Power of One solar car project visited City Hall. The Power of One is a project created by Brazilian born and Canadian resident, Marcelo da Luz. The project’s mission is to fulfill Marcelo’s dream and also inspire others to accomplish their dreams- all while benefitting mankind and the environment. The Power of One project is committed to promoting the use of clean and sustainable energy through the development and building of a functioning solar powered car, the X0F1.

The X0F1’s journey began on June 12th, 2008 on the shores of the Great Lakes. Since then, the car has been touring the United States, crossing the Continental Divide a record eight times. Completely solar powered, the XOF1 solar car reaches an impressive top speed of 75 miles per hour. The car accelerates from 0-50 mph in 6 seconds. It is equipped with 893 mono-crystalline solar cells. On a clear and sunny day the car can travel 300 miles, and with a full battery, 130 miles at night. The X0F1 has 26 lithium ion batteries, and the solar array generates 900 watts of energy, less energy than most kitchen appliances. It weighs only 470 lbs, and can hold one driver.

The next stop for the XOF1 is Key West and then up to Washington D.C. and then back to the Arctic. Marcelo’s motto is: “Inspired by the sun, motivated by the environment.” I wish Marcelo much luck in all of his travels.

To learn more go to http://www.xof1.com/


- Manny

Stimulus Dollars at Work

The Vice President today submitted his first quarterly report to the President detailing progress implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The report shows early progress providing immediate financial relief for American families and jump-starting billions of dollars in job-creating projects in the first quarter, with both the pace of spending and job creation expected to accelerate significantly in the coming months. This report is the first of a series of updates the Vice President will provide to the President as Recovery Act funds are put to work.

In the first 77 days of the two-year Recovery Act program:
· 150,000 jobs have been created or saved
· More than $88 billion dollars has been made available for programs and projects
· Over 3,000 transportation construction projects have been funded in 52 states and territories
· Ninety-five percent of working families have begun seeing the benefits of the Making Work Pay tax credit in their paychecks
· COBRA health insurance premiums have been reduced by 65 percent
· Unemployment benefits have increased by $25 a week
· States have drawn down $15.7 billion in Medical Assistance (FMAP) funds, allowing them to avoid budget cuts
· Thirteen states have qualified for State Fiscal Stabilization Funds to improve education programs and save education-related jobs

Looking ahead, an additional 600,000 jobs are expected to be created or saved under the Recovery Act in the next 100 days and billions of dollars in contracts and grants are expected to be awarded in the coming months. The report finds that the anticipated funds are already having an effect on economic and job growth as private sector companies staff up to meet expected demand for their products under Recovery Act programs and state and local governments adjust their spending plans ahead of receiving additional Recovery Act funds.

To view the report, click HERE.

- Manny

My Podcast on the Urban Land Institute Website

Recently, the Urban Land Institute’s Rose Center for Public Leadership in Land Use came to Miami and interviewed me as part of their ongoing series of podcast interviews with public sector leaders. The ULI Rose Center will serve as a resource to our public sector leaders as they learn and adapt to the contexts around them. The interview was conducted by Jess Zimbabwe, Executive Director of ULI's Daniel Rose Center for Public Leadership in Land Use.

You can listen to the interview on ULI's website.

- Manny

A Taste of Little Havana & Miami's First Safety/Health Fair: This Weekend

The City of Miami Safety Unit is hosting Miami's first Safety/Health Fair in conjunction with "A Taste of Little Havana" this Saturday from 10 to 3. This free event offers an opportunity to sample great tasting ethnic foods from Miami restaurants and learn about safety & health issues that affect you and your family while enjoying the day at West End Park (250 SW 60th Ave).

The fair will feature free car seat safety checks, on-site child fingerprinting, martial arts presentations, free blood pressure screening, food tasting, produce vendors, raffles, games for children and a chance to meet members of our Mounted Police Unit and our Fire-Rescue Department. The Miami Office of Sustainable Initiatives will also be there to show you how safety and sustainability go hand in hand.

Thanks to the City of Miami Department of Risk Management for hosting this event. View the flyer in English and Spanish HERE. I hope to see you there.

-Manny