Tampa/St. Petersburg Bike-friendly Facts

• Increased "Share The Road" signs along South Shore Boulevard.

• Ranked the 5th Best Outdoors City in the U.S. by Forbes magazine

• Average Daytime Temp: 80 degrees

• Nearly 100 miles of paved bike trails
• Bike Share program begins fall 2013
• New construction along The Courtney Campbell Causeway will accommodate cyclists and pedestrians by summer 2014.

• Holds a Bronze Star rating from the League of American Bicyclists as a bicycle-friendly place to ride.
• Average  Daytime Temp: 80 degrees
• Fourth largest city in Florida with population of nearly 250,000
• 137 parks on approximately 2,300 acres of public parks and recreation land
• 127 miles of marked bike lanes in Pinellas County
• Bike Share program begins fall 2013

• Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon first arrived in the Tampa area in 1513.
• Percival Ellicott Fansler debut the world's first scheduled commercial airline service with the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line in 1914.
• The Gandy Bridge once included a pedestrian and bike pathway called "The Friendship Trail" that closed in 2008 due to structural issues.
• Tampa is the seventh largest port in the nation, with extensive shipping in phosphate and trading in shrimp.

• Named by one of its founding fathers, Russian aristocrat Peter Demens, after his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia.
• A thriving tourist town and retirement community, St. Pete is known as The Sunshine City for its perpetual sunshine.
• Boasts seven museums in the downtown district, a state university, 10 marine institutes and more than two dozen galleries.
• Home to Major League Baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

• Tampa River Walk - While still under construction in places, the Tampa Riverwalk near downtown Tampa offers convenient access to a number of waterfront amenities such as The Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Bay History Center, several public parks, and countless shops and eateries. Explore Tampa's historic and modern installments, all in one place.
  
  
• Ybor City - Experience the sounds and flavors of Tampa's historic Latin Quarter. Known as the "Cigar Capital of the World," Ybor City tantalizes guests with exotic cuisine and musical entertainment in an old-world Mediterranean setting.
  
  
• Columbia Restaurant - Nestled in the heart of Ybor City, Columbia Restaurant is Florida's oldest restaurant and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. Open daily, savor a wide selection of Spanish wines and authentic Spanish tapas. Nightly Flamenco dance performances. 2117 East 7th Avenue; Tampa, Florida 33605  (813) 248-4961
  
  
• Columbia Cafe - Located on the Tampa Riverwalk next to the Tampa Bay Times Forum, the Columbia Cafe serves the most popular dishes from its flagship location in Ybor City, all with a refreshing river view. Enjoy live music while sitting indoors or on the outdoor waterfront terrace. 801 Old Water St; Tampa, FL 33602  (813) 229-5511
  
  
• Pinellas County Trail - Hike or bike the multi-use Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, a linear park and recreation trail extending from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. The Trail offers a protected greenspace for biking, walking, jogging and skating along the once abandoned railroad corridor.
  
  
• Saturday Morning Market - Feel the spirit of community at the Saturday Morning Market, every week from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown St. Petersburg. Join more than 10,000 locals and tourists who enjoy fresh food, live music and assorted novelties from early October to late May each year. Or check out the Summer Market in Williams Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., June thru August. 100 1st St SE; St Petersburg, FL 33701  (727) 455-4921
  
  
• Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary - Founded in 1971 by zoologist Ralph Heath, this is the largest wild seabird hospital and sanctuary in the United States with up to 10,000 new admissions yearly. Located right on the beach, visitors can view more than 600 birds in various stages of rehabilitation from injuries caused by humans. The Sanctuary is Ira David's favorite "must do" when he visits the region. Open from 9 a.m. to sunset, free of charge. 18328 Gulf Blvd; Indian Shores, FL 33785  (727) 391-6211
  
  
• The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant - Offering an assortment of fresh, wild-caught seafood-baseddishes seven days a week, this eatery will lift your spirits with three levels of dining and ocean views. Each level offers a different menu for a different dining experience. Enjoy the rooftop nightlife or the breeze on the front street-level patio and watch bicyclists pedal by. 9th Avenue & Gulf Way on the island of St. Pete Beach (727) 360-9558