On Saturday, December 14th, 2024, the Holden Heights Neighborhood Center buzzed with excitement as families from across the Orange Blossom Trail (OBT) CRA district came together for Rollin’ & Strollin’. This festive bike rodeo event marked the 5th collaboration between Bike/Walk Central Florida (BWCF) and the OBT Development Board (OBT Next). The day was filled with joy, community spirit, and a shared commitment to promoting safe, active transportation for kids and families.
A Shared Vision for a Thriving OBT Corridor
The OBT corridor has long been identified as a high-risk area for pedestrians and cyclists. From 2014 to 2019, a concentrated 1.2-mile section of U.S. 441 along the Orange Blossom Trail experienced 70 crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists, leading to 57 injuries and 13 tragic fatalities, highlighting the corridor’s critical need for safety interventions according to America’s Transportation Awards. Recognizing this, OBT Next is working tirelessly to transform the corridor into a safer, more connected, and vibrant place for families and individuals alike.
Through initiatives like Rollin’ & Strollin’ and other collaborative efforts, OBT Next and BWCF are striving to foster a culture of active transportation, education, and community empowerment. The work we do together directly addresses the challenges faced by residents along the OBT corridor, creating opportunities for families to embrace healthier, safer lifestyles.
“OBT Next has been an incredible partner in making these events a success,” said Emily Bush, Executive Director at BWCF. “Together, we’re not just giving away bikes—we’re giving families the tools to embrace an active lifestyle and create safer, more connected communities.”
Thanks to ongoing efforts, the corridor is already seeing progress. Recent safety improvements, including pedestrian-friendly infrastructure enhancements, have led to a remarkable milestone: zero pedestrian fatalities since the construction in 2023 was completed. This progress exemplifies the power of collaboration and targeted advocacy to save lives and improve the community’s quality of life.
Highlights of the Day – Partnering for Impact
From the moment the event began, the energy was electric. Here are just a few of the memorable moments:
50 Bikes Given Away
The heartwarming highlight of the day was the giveaway of 50 bikes to children in the community. This special gesture brought joy to families and created new opportunities for kids to ride safely and confidently. Over half of the bikes were donated by the Southern Society of Orthodontists from a Bike Build event put on by OnBikes and supported by Orlando Health and the Roberto Clemente Founation, all with a shared objective to help at-risk youth.
Bike Safety Checks
With help from Kyle’s Bike Shop and dedicated BWCF volunteers, kids’ bikes were inspected and tuned on the spot to ensure they were safe to ride. Kids also learned their “Bike ABCs” (Air, Brakes, Chains/Cogs)—an essential checklist for bike maintenance and safety.
Helmets and Safety Gear for All
Thanks to the free resources available from the PedBike Resource Center, families had access to free helmets, bike lights, safety vests, light-up gear, and other visibility-focused goodies. Certified helmet fitters ensured every helmet was properly adjusted, keeping kids safe and seen on the road.
Bike Education and Safety Lessons
With their new bikes in hand, kids participated in interactive safety lessons, gaining confidence and skills to navigate safely. Guided by volunteers from organizations like VHB, Gresham Smith, and Orange County Fire Rescue, participants completed a fun bike course to practice essential handling techniques, including:
- Starts and Stops
- Learning to begin and halt riding effectively and in control
- Avoid Hazards
- Mastering tight spaces without falling or veering outside the course.
- Signals and Scanning
- Practicing hand signals and scanning all directions while maintaining balance
- Turns and Yields
- Navigating figure-8 scenario to understand yielding and sharing the road
Orange County Library Book Bike
A unique highlight of the event was the Orange County Library System‘s Book Bike, a mobile library that brings books and resources directly to the community. This innovative initiative promotes literacy and learning by making it easy for families to check out books, sign up for library cards, and explore library programs—all while celebrating active transportation. The Book Bike is a perfect example of how libraries are rolling into the future to inspire lifelong learning!
Driving Change Along Orange Blossom Trail
Rollin’ & Strollin’ is a shining example of how OBT Next’s commitment to community safety and BWCF’s mission align to create tangible change. By providing bikes, safety gear, and education, this event empowers local youth and families to adopt healthier, more active lifestyles while strengthening their connection to the community.
“We’ve seen firsthand the impact of these events,” said Jessica Darden, Safe Neighborhood Program Manager from the OBT Development Board.“It’s about more than just handing out bikes; it’s about making sure that kids and families have the resources to safely navigate their communities and enjoy the benefits of active transportation. We’re thrilled to be a part of this ongoing collaboration with BWCF.”
Events like this don’t just provide opportunities for fun—they lay the groundwork for long-term change. By fostering a culture of safety and active living, OBT Next and BWCF are helping to build a brighter, safer future for the OBT corridor.
A Big Thank You to Our Partners
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing partners and volunteers:
- Staff and volunteers from Bike/Walk Central Florida and OBTNext
A special thanks to all who worked tirelessly to make this event a success. Your dedication to promoting safe, active lifestyles inspires us all.
Looking Ahead
Have FOMO yet? Rollin’ & Strollin’ will be returning in May 2025 and YOU CAN VOLUNTEER/PARTNER WITH US! Volunteers and Community Partners like you make it possible to make these events FREE to the community. This is just one of many steps in our continued effort to create safer, bike-friendly neighborhoods. Please join us on our journey toward building a healthier, more connected community by signing up today!
P.S. Relive the day! Check out the full photo album on our Flickr page.
