It’s true that the Tampa and Orlando metropolitan areas have some of the highest bicycle fatality rates in the United States. While bicycle accidents are a regular safety concern for all cyclists, nearly one third of all fatal bicycle accidents involve a rider who was under the influence of alcohol. Bicyclists who exercise caution and abstain from alcohol face much lower odds of being struck by a car and injured while riding.
Despite the risks and alarming bicycle accident statistics, the regions surrounding Tampa Bay and Orlando are also home to beautiful scenery and a great year-round climate well-suited for cyclists and bicycle enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels. The local region is home to some great riding trails and bicycle routes, both on-road and off, perfect for all types of riders ranging from the new, novice bicycle owners looking to re-explore the area from a different vantage point to the experienced veteran cycling aficionados devoted to 50 miles or more of riding each week. Tampa’s regional bike trails have something for everyone, and the marked off-road trails can offer cyclists extra peace of mind away from busy traffic.
Tampa Bay Regional Bicycle Trails
Below are a couple of the Tampa Bay area’s most renown, scenic, and accessible bike trails great for any type of rider and adequate for solo routes or group rides:
Suncoast Trail: The Suncoast Trail possesses an official designation as part of Florida’s Statewide Greenways and Trails System. Spanning 41 miles, this non-motorized paved bicycle trail originates in northern Hillsborough County and jogs north through Pasco and Hernando counties, traversing suburban, agricultural and natural scenery. Among the trail’s highlights is a stretch running alongside the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. This particular section crosses various rivers and creeks, including the Anclote and Pithlachascotee, and provides views of beautiful natural ecosystems. The Suncoast Trail is planned to serve as a key regional connector trial, linking to other projects such as the Good Neighbor Trail, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail, and the Pinellas Trail.
Davis Islands: Davis Islands is clean and quiet residential neighborhood in South Tampa just outside of downtown Tampa. The route is relatively short, spanning between Davis Island and Bayshore Blvd. The residential area along the waters provides cyclists with a shaded loop of approximately 4 miles just before heading out for the long, straight stretch of road on the east side of the island. The main stretch of road provides a 5 mile loop that is perfect for tempo riding or sprint training.
Alafia River State Park: This trail is based at Lithia, approximately 35 minutes north of Tampa. A mountain biker’s favorite, the park has a challenging marked mountain bike course. This park is so well-suited for mountain biking that it was selected as the site for the 2012 Olympic mountain biking competition in case Tampa had won the honor of hosting the games. Alafia Park has over 15 miles of single track. Surfaces range from flat and rooted to steep and rocky. Trails are well marked and are designed for different skill levels: beginner (green circle), intermediate (blue square), and expert – considerably challenging (black diamond)
Fort Desoto Park: This is the largest park in the Pinellas County Park System. This park consists of 5 interconnected islands. Fort Desoto is also home to one of the country’s best beaches, a camping facility and a boat launch facility. As bicyclists approach the beach, the ride will jog onto a 2-lane road that dead ends at roundabouts at both ends. The entire length of road provides a 10 mile loop and serves as a fitness staple for cyclists who are riding time trials or tempo rides. Inside the park, there are also stretches of open roads with bike lanes that could easily tack on another 10 miles to the existing loop.
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