Become a “Gold Standard” Biking Community by 2024

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Target: 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 and Greenways Master Plan Projects. Feasibility studies for three projects from the Masterplan have been completed and will be moved forward in the 5-year work program as directed by the IA Board. Current Blueprint projects previously initiated and underway in 2023 alone will result in the development and improvement of over 120 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 has been constructed along Cascades Trail and FAMU Way. The trailhead provides public parking, water fountains, shaded seat areas, bike repair station, and public art at the interconnection of these two trails. Staff has also collaborating with the Bond Community to develop a Bike/Ped Plan as part of the Bond Neighborhood First Plan, and Blueprint has implemented two sidewalk connections between the Bond Neighborhood and the St. Marks Trail. 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.

In 2023, Tallahassee earned the official Florida Trail Town designation by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), reflecting the City’s ongoing investment in bike and trail infrastructure.

PLACE. Last Updated: December 2023