Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Cycle Track -ANIMATION
false

Tampa is starting to make progress on safe bike infrastructure. Last weekend, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn led a celebratory ride to mark the opening of the city's first protected bike lane -- a curb-protected two-way lane on Cass Street downtown.

The Cass Street project is one of the first protected bike lanes in Florida -- a notoriously dangerous state for biking and walking. It's about three-quarters of a mile long and the city intends to extend it in both directions, said Karen Kress of the Downtown Tampa Partnership.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn (right in the green button down) led a ride celebrating the opening of Tampa's new protected bike lane last weekend. Photo: Eric Trull (blue shirt, left) Coast Bikes
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn (right in the green button down) led a ride celebrating the opening of Tampa's new protected bike lane last weekend. Photo: Eric Trull/Coast Bikes
false

The project also converted Cass Street from one-way to two-way car flow. While that introduces more potential motor vehicle turning movements across the bikeway, the project includes signals to reduce conflicts between drivers and cyclists.

Kress says locals are already responding. "It is blowing up," she said. "There’s been so much pent up demand for safe cycling conditions. They’re coming out of the woodwork."

Kress said her organization has been trying to help businesses find a place for all the bike parking employees are demanding.

The Cass Street bike lane -- along with the green, buffered bike lanes on Platt, Cleveland, and Brorein streets that were added last year -- emerged from a strategic planning process for the city's downtown. Tampa was recognized by Smart Growth America recently for its strides toward walkability. The bike lane will help people biking to and from Tampa's popular 2.5-mile Riverwalk, which was recently completed with help from an $11 million TIGER grant.

GIF courtesy of Coast Bikes.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Talking Headway Podcast: 20 is Plenty in Wales

Welsh MP Lee Waters and the University of Sydney's Dr. Jennifer Kent on how Wales passed a national 20 mph speed limit.

February 6, 2025

Who is Trump’s FTA Pick Marc Molinaro — And Will He Kill Congestion Pricing?

If confirmed, Trump FTA pick Marc Molinaro can do a lot to gum up funding for mass transit across the country. Here's a look at his record.

February 6, 2025

This City Is Turning Bikes into Data-Collection Devices to Support More Bike Lanes

A recent high-tech pilot is helping one Michigan city make the case for low-tech safety technology that saves lives and gets people in the saddle.

February 6, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Clear Their Congestion

We know building more lanes doesn't work, so congestion pricing looks like the best way to actually reduce traffic.

February 6, 2025
See all posts