April 2020 – Mr. Jim Shirk, Vice-Chair of the Hillsborough MPO’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, provided a report that he wrote to engage people in a discussion of the neglect of African American cemeteries and highlight the efforts of the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) and the ability of History Bike Tampa (HBT) to call attention to historic injustices. History Bike Tampa meets bi-monthly on the first Saturday and offers historical bike tours of the Tampa Bay Area. A $5 donation is suggested. Mr. Shirk volunteers with HBT and was tapped by Eric Turner to lead some of the activities and provide bike safety tips.

On March 7, Dayna Lazarus, former Plan Hillsborough USF Fellow and Intern, stated that it was by an amazing coincidence that she ran into the group during their Forgotten Cemeteries Ride while she was biking. She decided to join in the fun and take some pictures which were later used in the report and this newsletter article. Dayna is an Urban Planner with a masters from USF, a stellar bike advocate, and a member of the MPO Citizens Advisory Committee.

Click here to read Jim Shirk’s article.