The Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) celebrated a record Florida Bicycle Month in March 2024!
The state of Florida, along with 28 Palm Beach County municipalities and agencies, declared March 2024 as Florida Bicycle Month. With 10 new proclamations compared to 2023, this shows the county’s commitment to safe bicycling for all users.
City of Boca Raton Council Member and TPA Governing Board Member Nachlas shared insights on bicycling in her municipality after recently completing all routes on Boca Raton’s Bicycle Map, which spans over 84-miles of bike lanes, shared pathways, and trails.
“Early on, I decided I’d like to ride and experience Boca Raton’s entire Bicycle Map because I felt it was important to have that boots-on-the-ground (or shoes on the pedals) knowledge. Improving mobility and connectivity is one of our City’s Strategic Priorities, and I thought gaining the understanding of our cycling infrastructure through this endeavor would give a unique perspective,” she said. “I began riding portions of the map during Florida Bicycle Month on March 19, 2023, and finished it on March 10, 2024. It was an eye-opening experience—especially when riding on Glades Rd, Federal Highway and Dixie Highway. I paid more attention to bike lanes around school zones and the universities. Riding no longer was just a leisurely roll about town, but a fact-finding mission,” she concluded.
Council Member Nachlas joined City of Boynton Beach Commissioner and TPA Governing Board Member Cruz on March 29 for the TPA’s annual Florida Bicycle Month Ride through Downtown West Palm Beach and the Town of Palm Beach.
Uyen Dang, Principal and Founder of DDEC and TPA Citizens Advisory Committee Member, created the FloridaBicycleMonth.com website and worked with partners across Palm Beach County to highlight Florida Bicycle Month events, safety resources and information, as well as promotional content to encourage participation. Dang organized a Night Bicycle Ride on March 6 in Downtown West Palm Beach and a bicycle ride along the El Rio Trail in Boca Raton on March 9, attended by TPA Governing Board Members City of Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Drucker and Council Member Nachlas as well as TPA and City staff. The City of Boca Raton also provided a free Bicycle Tune Up event at the Boca Raton Tri-Rail Station on March 29 with local officials, including Deputy Mayor Drucker and TPA Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Vice Chair Albert Richwagen.
The Lake Worth Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) hosted a Bicycle Safety Event on March 13 in collaboration with the TPA and Safe Kids PBC to provide free fitted helmets, bicycle lights, and other bicycle safety resources in English, Spanish, and Creole for the traditionally underserved area.
The City of West Palm Beach promoted and hosted various events throughout the month that TPA staff attended to provide bicycle-safety related materials and resources, including a Bicycle Tune-Up event on March 4 at the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station and a Bike to Work Day on March 8. Palm Beach County hosted a Full Moon Bike Ride on March 22 in Jupiter. The Village of Royal Palm Beach continued the Bike Month Celebration with a Free Bike Rodeo at Commons Park on March 30 and a Bicycle Safety Course with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. TPA staff capped off Florida Bicycle Month with a Bike Tune Up event on March 30 hosted by the City of Boynton Beach.
Thank you to all who participated and hosted events to celebrate Florida Bicycle Month and advance a safer system for all bicycle riders! The TPA looks forward to continuing to partner with local agencies to promote a safe, efficient, and connected multimodal transportation system.
Visit PalmBeachTPA.org/WalkBike for more information and resources on Florida Bicycle Month along with a list of the municipalities that have signed proclamations this year.
Although Florida Bicycle Month is over, May is National Bike Month! Join the TPA in the League of American Bicyclists’ Love to Ride Challenge or learn more about their Bicycle Friendly America designations here.
