Pensacola Biking Guide
Everything you need to know about biking in Pensacola, Florida.
With its sunny weather, stunning white-sand beaches, and charming neighborhoods, Pensacola is a great city to explore on two wheels. The city boasts a rich history, being first ruled by Spain, France, and then Great Britain before the founding of the United States. As the westernmost city on Florida’s panhandle, one of its nicknames is “The Western Gate to the Sunshine State.” Today, Pensacola is the center of a thriving metropolitan area with plenty to explore from the back of a bicycle.
Where to Bike In Pensacola
Residents and visitors alike enjoy using bikes to get around town, go to the beach, or go shopping. However, there also are ample opportunities for recreational bike rides. The nonprofit group Bike Pensacola has put together some downtown biking loops that travel through scenic areas such as the Maritime Park, the Seville Historic District, North Hill and more. For the safety-conscious, they have also designated some safe riding routes that connect uptown and downtown through quiet residential neighborhoods while avoiding the busiest thoroughfares.
Bike Pensacola also hosts a monthly Slow Ride event. These leisurely-paced rides provide a fun social atmosphere for the whole family while exploring the city's historic neighborhoods. At each event, they also provide information on biking safety and laws. Another event, Ciclovia, closes the main downtown streets to cars so that they can be enjoyed by bikers and pedestrians.
For visitors to the city, there are many bike rental shops around downtown, including e-bike rentals. If you are visiting Pensacola for vacation, this provides an inexpensive way to get around the city and get some exercise in the process.
Biking Safety
While Pensacola is considered to be a bike-friendly city, it is not without its hazards. In fact, Florida consistently ranks as one of the deadliest states for pedestrians. When biking near roadways, bikers constantly have to watch for cars turning across their path, doors opening in front of them, and other situations which can cause a collision.
However, there are plans in the works to reduce pedestrian and bike injuries in Pensacola. The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization is working on a Pedestrian-Bicycle Master Plan to improve safety for non-automobile transportation, calling for yearly proposals from municipalities.
There is also the “Hashtag” Waterfront Connector project currently in process, which will revitalize the downtown and waterfront areas to make them safer and more accessible for pedestrians and bikers. Plans include adding walking and biking lanes to the main downtown streets, a waterfront trail, and routes to connect the downtown and waterfront areas. In addition, it will also add more landscaping and fill in retail spaces.
While the new projects are underway, it is important to be sure to follow all Florida bicycle safety laws and recommendations in the meantime. All bikers under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet, and it should be properly fitted and secured in order to maximize effectiveness. State law also requires the bike to be fitted with a headlamp and tail light when riding between sunset and sunrise. It is important to follow all traffic laws, follow the flow of traffic, and be aware of your surroundings. And while Pensacola is a popular vacation destination, riding while wearing flip-flops or with headphones in is not recommended.
Biking in Pensacola
Don’t let the potential hazards scare you away from biking in Pensacola. Biking in any large metropolitan area always comes with dangers. However, if you follow safety guidelines and recommended routes, there is ample opportunity to enjoy the sites of the city on two wheels. Future projects will serve to make the city even more friendly to bikers.
About the Creator
Myra Thomas
Myra Thomas is a freelance content writer. She is versed in a variety of topics, but specializes in sharing legal news and helpful how-to guides. Her focus is on creating easily accessible content which contains practical advice.
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