September 26, 2016
Gainesville has recently been working on expanding and improving bicycle sharing programs around the city, and, as of August, has increased the number of bike stations which has doubled from two to four. Plenty has also been done to make biking to campus easier and safer for students who don't have cars. Bike lanes have been added, as well as multi-use paths on campus. With favorable biking conditions around town, Gainesville was just ranked the most bicycle friendly city in Florida.
According to bicycling.com, Gainesville ranked number 29 out of the top 50 cities, taking into account their infrastructure, census data and activism. The survey is conducted every two years, and this year Gainesville jumped 37 spots. Other Florida cities made the list with Tallahassee ranking in at number 38, Miami at number 40, and Tampa at number 45.
Florida is generally not considered a very bike-friendly state, so Gainesville's nationwide ranking is pretty impressive. Florida overall tends to be much more driver-oriented. That, coupled with few and very narrow bike lanes statewide, make it not an ideal way to travel.
Gainesville's bike friendliness is not only an advantage for residents, but it is also a big step in preserving the environment and improving air quality with less of a need for cars and buses with the pollution they contribute.
For the full ranking list of America’s friendliest bike cities, check out bicycling.com.
