Become a “Gold Standard” Biking Community by 2024

Since the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program’s inception over 20 years ago, the League of American Bicyclists has recognized select communities nationwide for their strategic investments in promoting safe and convenient bicycling access for all. The program includes a rigorous application process that provides communities with a tool to evaluate and improve its bicycle infrastructure. BFC designation is awarded based on five levels – diamond, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. In 2018, Tallahassee was one of only seven Florida communities to receive the Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community designation. This was an improvement over the City’s previous Bronze award, bringing us one step closer to our aspirational goal.

Tallahassee’s movement towards becoming a Gold Standard bicycling community has gained even more momentum in recent years. The Tallahassee-Leon County Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was updated in 2019. The plan will help identify and guide future investments in capital infrastructure to make bicycling more convenient and safer for citizens and visitors. Starting in 2020, $1.5 million a year has been dedicated to support the planning, design, and construction of bicycle projects within the Master Plan. Feasibility studies for three projects from the Masterplan are in progress and will assist in determining the work program for the next two years. Current projects initiated and underway in 2022 alone will result in the development and improvement of 114 miles of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. These projects include adding bike route elements to the Lake Jackson Greenway project, design of an expanded bike lane network connecting Downtown Tallahassee and Florida State University, the implementation of a Thomasville Road Trail, and the development of a new trailhead at the connection of the St. Marks Trail and Capital Cascades Trail which is currently under construction along Cascades Trail and FAMU Way. The trailhead will provide public parking, water fountains, shaded seat areas, bike repair station, and public art at the interconnection of these two trails. Staff is also collaborating with the Bond Community to develop a Bike/Ped Plan as part of the Bond Neighborhood First Plan. These initiatives, and more, are supporting the City of Tallahassee’s goal of becoming a Gold Standard biking community.

Today, Tallahassee is home to a comprehensive bicycle network, including protected bike lanes, bike boulevards, bike boxes, buffered bike lanes and trails, in addition to traditional bike lanes. These facilities are complemented by a City Bike Parking program, which strives to provide bicycle parking throughout Tallahassee. Bicycle corrals and standalone bike racks can be seen all around the city, with more being installed as new locations are identified.

PLACE. Last Updated: December 2022