Got Those End of Summer Blues?
Not Really!
Bike Florida gears up for fall and winter fun and introduces our new website!
Bike Florida has a whole new online look!
We’re very excited to announce our new website with all new functionality and ease of operation. From our dedicated database for bike shops and bike clubs in your area to info on the Florida Trail System (coming soon!) and a community calendar of events around cycling – we’ll have it it all.
Check out our one day events and cycling tours and join us for a fun packed fall and winter of bicycling in the great state of Florida.
We will be adding new features weekly, so check back in often!
Summer 2022 with Bike Florida
AKA: what we did while it was too hot to bike outside 🚲🚘🚴♀️😊
Bike Florida has a new look on the road as well!
Our fleet is outfitted with our new magnetic panels, QR codes and all.
Fancy! Look for us on the road and wave or honk hello!
Bike Florida in Groveland, FL
Bike Florida was in Groveland, FL for their Wacky Wednesdays and 2nd Friday Markets, giving away Bike Florida swag, goodies, raffling off donated bicycles and talking to residents about bicycle fun, safety and the health (both physical and economic) benefits of bringing cycling to their community. You can find out more about our year long partnership with Groveland here: https://www.bikeflorida.org/partner/groveland/
If your community is interested in partnering with Bike Florida, check out opportunities here.
Bike Florida in Tampa, FL
Bike Florida joined Bike/Walk Tampa Bay at
iCan Shine’s / iCan Bike summer camp!
“iCan Bike programs are for people with disabilities ages eight and up. We understand that the vast majority of people with disabilities never experience the thrill of independently riding a two-wheel bicycle during their lifetime. For example, recent research shows that over 80% of people with Autism and 90% of people with Down syndrome never learn to ride a two-wheel bicycle. Defying these odds is why we exist!”
What an amazing experience for both riders and facilitators!
You can learn more about iCan Shine programming here.
Upcoming Rides and Tours
Groveland Metric Century
Join us for a fall ride in the beautiful countryside that surrounds Groveland, FL and the surrounding areas. Fully supported ride with complimentary breakfast, SAG, rest stops and an after ride food truck festival!
Sunflower Tour 2023
Come bike across the state of Florida with us – from Titusville to St. Petersburg, 250 miles in all! It’s our 2nd annual Sunflower Tour – a 3 nights, 4 days / fully supported ride with SAG, rest stops, bike mechanic support and a whole lot of laughing women and FUN!
Two Rivers Music Festival
Bike Florida is creating a tour around a music festival in beautiful Dunnellon, where the Withlacochee River meets the Rainbow River. Ride 35 or 50 miles per day through some of the most beautiful horse country in the state – the choice is yours! (Ride details will be posted August 26th)
Community Helpers & Heroes
Meet Elsie Gilmore, this issue’s featured cyclist! Elsie lives in St. Petersburg (aka The Burg – if you know, you know) and you can often see her and her beloved Brompton, Simon, pedaling through the streets, spreading joy and happiness far and wide. An artist and author, Elsie’s website can be found here: Elsie Gilmore
Oh! Elsie is also the design maven behind our new website here at Bike Florida. Thank you for our fabulous new look, ProFunction Web!
(If you have someone you’d like featured in our next issue, send us an email at info@bikeflorida.org)
From The Director’s Desk
After 7 months at the helm of Bike Florida I continue to be delighted with the job I have been entrusted with. Built on a solid foundation of community outreach and engagement, Bike Florida has weathered some storms (some literal – hello hurricane season!) and is poised to have it’s best years ahead.
What makes cycling such a great sport is that is easy to get involved in: you don’t need a fancy bike or fancy gear. A good used bike, a helmet, and away you go! We have great trail systems and bikeways, and Florida continues to improve upon those systems with state and local support. Here at Bike Florida we serve many communities, each with their own assets and challenges. We believe that cycling can be a great tool for statewide community equity. Getting people on bikes and out into their cities and towns, championing active lifestyles and supporting bicycling infrastructure for safety and accessibility is our ultimate goal; watching communities experience the economic benefits when cyclists roll through their towns on tours and rides and stay to shop and dine is an added benefit.
It’s our plan to be around for a long time, watching cycling in our state continue to grow and grow and grow. Come join us!
Happy Two Wheeling!
Lisa M Lake, Executive Director | Bike Florida
Share the Road Specialty License Plate
You don’t need to be a cyclist to support the “Share the Road” Florida license plate. “Sharing the Road” is for ALL road users: pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and other motor vehicle drivers.
If you believe in a healthy, active, environmentally friendly lifestyle then this specialty license plate is just right for you.
Proceeds from the plate directly benefit Florida residents as well as tourists.
Share the Road strives to promote safety among cyclists, pedestrians and motorists so that we may all commute safely.
