There are many, many areas where Tampa remains behind a host of other major cities in the U.S., and one of them is having a series of roads and trails designed for bike riders.
But that is slowly but surely changing, and the folks behind the South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers (Swiftbud) are the leading change agents in the city to make that happen.
On Sunday, hundreds of cyclists of various ages and skills joined forces at Flatwoods Wilderness Park in Thonotosassa to take part in the group's fifth annual Bicycle Bash, including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione, and state representatives Janet Cruz and Shawn Harrison.
The annual event brings in all types of cyclists, from the intense racers to more casual types, and Bicycle Bash director Alan Snel says it's also about creating more awareness about cycling in the Bay area.
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2011.