If you’re a cycling enthusiast, Florida is a great place to explore on two wheels. With its sunny weather and scenic routes, the state offers plenty of opportunities for biking adventures. But some cities are more bike-friendly than others, with dedicated bike lanes, trails, and other amenities. Here are some of the top bike-friendly cities in Florida to add to your list.
Every year, The League of American Bicyclists reviews a large number of applications and publishes their list of Bicycle Friendly Communities, Businesses, and Universities.
Gainesville
Gainesville is a top bike-friendly city in Florida, with a strong cycling culture and plenty of infrastructure to support it. The city has over 60 miles of bike lanes and trails, including the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, a 16-mile paved trail that takes cyclists through scenic countryside. Gainesville also has a bike-sharing program, Zagster, which allows visitors and residents to rent bikes for short-term use. With its flat terrain and mild climate, Gainesville is a great place to explore on two wheels.
Boca Raton – Best Bikeable Large City with Beaches
Florida is known for its sunny weather and beautiful beaches, making it a popular destination for cyclists. Boca Raton, located on the Atlantic coast, is one of the best bike-friendly cities in Florida. With low crime rates and plenty of bike lanes and trails, it’s a great place to explore on two wheels. Plus, the warm weather year-round makes it a perfect destination for outdoor activities.
Boca Raton, in particular, offers four bike trails that cater to riders of all levels. The Ocean Boulevard Path is a popular choice, stretching almost 5 miles along the coast and providing stunning views of the beach and ocean. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just looking for a leisurely ride, Boca Raton has something for everyone.
One popular route for cyclists is the A1A, which runs along the coast and passes through several towns. While some sections of the route have dedicated bike lanes, others require cyclists to share the road with cars.
Additionally, initiatives such as the “Boca Raton Flash Flood” in March 2016 have raised awareness about improving city infrastructure and creating safer cycling environments for Floridian cyclists.
Boca Raton, in particular, has become a bike-friendly city with its many bike lanes and trails. However, the high cost of living in this upscale city may make it difficult for some to fully enjoy its bike-friendly amenities.
While Boca’s property crime rate has recently surpassed the national average, its violent crime rate remains relatively low, especially for a larger city in Florida. However, if crime rates continue to increase, Boca may no longer be considered a bike-friendly city and may need to be removed from the list.
Boca Raton is a great option for those seeking a bike-friendly city with beautiful beaches and a focus on safety. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just enjoy a leisurely ride, Boca Raton offers a variety of bike paths and trails to explore.
Miami
Miami is another top bike-friendly city in Florida, with over 80 miles of bike lanes and trails. The city has a bike share program, Citi Bike Miami, which offers over 1,000 bikes for short-term rental. Miami also hosts several biking events throughout the year, including the Miami Critical Mass, which is a monthly group bike ride that promotes cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation. Additionally, the city has several bike-friendly parks, such as the Virginia Key Beach Park and the Oleta River State Park, which offer scenic trails for cyclists of all levels.
Orlando
Florida is home to many cities that are bike-friendly and offer a range of amenities for cyclists. Facilities such as dedicated bike paths, bike lanes, and designated bicycle parking areas make it easier than ever to explore Florida on two wheels.
Orlando is a great city for cyclists of all ages, with over 300 miles of bike trails and lanes. The city has a bike share program, Juice Bike Share, which offers over 200 bikes for short-term rental. Orlando also hosts several biking events throughout the year, including the Orlando Critical Mass, which is a monthly group bike ride that promotes cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation. Additionally, the city has several bike-friendly parks, such as the Lake Eola Park and the West Orange Trail, which offer scenic trails for cyclists to enjoy.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is one of the top bike-friendly cities in Florida, with over 100 miles of bike lanes and trails. The city has a dedicated bike share program, Coast Bike Share, which allows visitors and residents to rent bikes for short-term use. The Pinellas Trail, a 38-mile paved trail, runs through St. Petersburg and offers stunning views of the city’s waterfront and natural scenery. Additionally, the city hosts several biking events throughout the year, including the St. Pete Bike and Eat and the St. Pete Bike Fest. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just looking for a leisurely ride, St. Petersburg has something to offer for everyone.
Tallahassee
While many people may not think of Tallahassee as a top bike-friendly city in Florida, it actually has a lot to offer for cyclists. The city has over 100 miles of bike lanes and trails, including the St. Marks Trail, a 20-mile paved trail that takes cyclists through beautiful natural scenery. Tallahassee also has a bike-sharing program, Pace, which allows visitors and residents to rent bikes for short-term use. With its hilly terrain and mild climate, Tallahassee offers a unique and challenging biking experience for those looking to explore the city on two wheels.
Venice – Bike-Friendly City with a Historic Downtown and Beaches
One city that stands out as particularly bike-friendly is Venice, located about 70 miles south of Tampa and situated right on the Gulf of Mexico. With its flat terrain and scenic bike paths, Venice is a great place to explore on two wheels.
While Florida may not have any cities that have received the Gold Award for being bike-friendly, Venice stands out as one of the three cities in the state to receive the Silver Award. With its scenic routes and dedicated bike lanes, Venice is a great destination for cyclists looking to explore the area on two wheels.
This charming town is unique in that it is divided into two parts by the intercoastal waterway, making it a popular spot for cyclists to explore both sides of town. With bike lanes and trails throughout the city, Venice is a great destination for those looking to enjoy a scenic ride.
Venice is offering paved bike paths and trails for cyclists to enjoy. One such example is the paved bike path that runs on both sides of a scenic waterway, providing a safe and enjoyable route for bikers to explore the area.
Many cities in Florida are making efforts to become more bike-friendly, including Venice. With its high quality of life ratings and beautiful scenery, Venice has been recognized as one of the best places to live in Florida for years. And now, with its bike-friendly initiatives, it’s also becoming a top destination for cyclists.
Venice also has a unique neighborhood known as the Isle of Venice. This area is a popular destination for cyclists due to its scenic views and bike-friendly infrastructure. With dedicated bike lanes and paths, Venice is a great place to explore on two wheels.
One popular route in Venice is the Legacy Trail, a 12-mile paved path that provides a scenic and safe route for bikers to explore the area.
Florida may not be known for its bike-friendly cities, but Venice stands out as a great option for cyclists looking for a high quality of life. With its flat terrain and scenic routes, Venice offers a great biking experience for both recreational and commuting purposes.
Venice, Florida is a great destination for bike enthusiasts, with its beautiful parks, stunning beaches, and charming historic downtown areas.
The Villages – Bike-Friendly Retirement Community
Florida is home to several bike-friendly cities, but one retirement community stands out from the rest. The Villages, a 55+ active adult community, offers residents over 100 miles of golf cart and bike paths, making it easy and enjoyable to explore the area on two wheels. With beautiful scenery and a variety of amenities, The Villages is a top destination for retirees who love to bike.
Florida is known for its beautiful weather and scenic views, making it a popular destination for bikers. In fact, there are several cities in Florida that are particularly bike-friendly, including one located in Central Florida, just 57 miles northwest of Orlando. Originally a retirement community, this city has grown into a bustling metropolis of 100,000 residents, complete with all the businesses, goods, and services you would expect to find in any major city.
In fact, The Villages was recently recognized for its efforts to promote cycling and was awarded a silver award from the League of American Bicyclists. This community has implemented various initiatives to make cycling safer and more accessible, including bike lanes, trails, and education programs.
Additionally, many of the community’s 55 and older residents rely solely on their golf carts for daily transportation. While not exactly a bike, the golf cart is a small, eco-friendly mode of transportation that fits right in with The Villages’ active and outdoorsy lifestyle.
The Villages, Florida is a haven for bike enthusiasts, with more than 100 miles of paved paths that cater to cyclists, joggers, and even golf cart riders. These paths offer a safe and scenic way to explore the state’s beautiful landscapes and bustling cities, making Florida one of the most bike-friendly destinations in the country.
Florida is a great destination for retirees who enjoy biking. With its warm weather and flat terrain, it’s the perfect place to explore on two wheels. Many active retirement communities in Florida are bike-friendly, offering residents easy access to bike paths and trails. So if you’re looking for a place to retire and stay active, Florida might just be the perfect fit for you.
Bike-Friendly Cities in Florida Conclusion
Florida’s cities have been striving to become more bike-friendly in recent years. With many roads designed with cyclists in mind, the state offers an extensive network of safe trails and bike lanes. Additionally, each city provides education and outreach materials to help cyclists practice safe cycling. This has resulted in increased bicycle ridership across the cities of Florida, making it easier for Floridians and visitors alike to get around on two wheels!
