On October 14, 2023, over 350 cyclists took to the streets of Central Florida for the 7th annual BIKE 5 event. This bike ride is different from a race or a charity ride. It is a movement to advocate for a bike-friendly Central Florida.
View more photos on our Flickr at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAZ9PC
BIKE 5 is a multi-faceted event with three options for riders of all ages and abilities to choose from. This year, our routes included:
- BIKE 5 Cities: A 30-mile, 5-city ride that took cyclists through Winter Park, Eatonville, Maitland, Casselberry, and Orlando.
- BIKE 5 Parks: An 11-mile guided leisure ride, starting at Ward Park, passing through Lake Baldwin Park, Harbor Park, Cady Way Trail Park, Lake Druid Park, and ending back at Ward Park.
- BIKE 5 Miles: A 5-mile guided group ride starting at Cady Way Pool, cruising down Cady Way Trail, around Lake Baldwin, and back. This was our family-friendly route and perfect for children to join.
One of the many things that make BIKE 5 so special is that it is truly a community event. Each city hosts a rest stop with snacks, water, and restrooms for riders. Cyclists have the opportunity to explore and utilize the many safe cycling paths and trails Central Florida has to offer.
The purpose of BIKE 5 is fourfold:
- To promote equality through better transportation options.
- To improve safety by teaching people of all abilities and ages how to use bike routes safely.
- To enhance local economies by bringing bike traffic to businesses.
- To build public support for connecting bike routes throughout Central Florida.
Organized by Bike/Walk Central Florida and presented by The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Mobility Week, BIKE 5 is designed to help participants discover low-stress trails and connect with the community through cycling.
This year’s sponsors included Mobility Week, Kimley Horn, Kittelson & Associates, VHB, GAI Consultants, CAAM Events, HDR, Dr. Phillips Charities, Fishback Dominick, Florida Freewheelers, Fehr & Peers, Safe Mobility for Life, In Motion Physical Therapy, Gresham Smith, Inwood Consulting Engineers, Dix-Hite + Partners, Laura Turner Planning Services, Harvill’s Produce, KEITH, ETM, Schulte Realty and WTS Central Florida.
A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Mobility Week!
BIKE 5 was a huge success this year, and it is clear that the demand for bike-friendly infrastructure in Central Florida is growing. We are already planning for next year’s event and hope to make it even bigger and better every year.
