Bike with Gratitude and Purpose: Join Me to Ride, Roll and Stroll
By Kelly Morphy, Executive Director, Florida Bicycle Association
“I’m grateful for the freedom to choose my mode of transportation. However, I'm also acutely aware that not everyone has that privilege.” - Kelly Morphy, seen here prepping her bike for a ride in Winter Garden, Fla.
I've been privileged to witness the incredible impact of alternative transportation modes on our communities. The ability to choose how we move—including by bicycling, walking, rolling, transit, or ridesharing—not only influences our personal experiences but also shapes our communities' overall well-being. For example:
Choosing to bike, walk, use transit or rideshare isn't just good for our own health; it's great for the community, too. Less driving means less air pollution and less fuel consumption, and that means a healthier environment for everyone.
Public transit and ridesharing options can be real game changers for people who can't afford their own wheels. They help connect folks to job opportunities and essential services, boosting the economy in the process.
Fighting for safer bike paths and walkways means everyone, no matter their age or why they're riding, rolling, or strolling, can travel more safely.
When we get outside of our solo vehicles, we connect with our neighbors. It helps build a sense of community and makes us feel more connected to where we live.
For these reasons and more, I’m grateful for the freedom to choose my mode of transportation. However, I'm also acutely aware that not everyone has that privilege.
This is why I'm inviting you to join me in the Ride Roll Stroll challenge, an initiative that promotes safer and more accessible transportation options for everyone in Florida. To join the challenge as part of my team, submit the simple form to the right and I will add you. If you’d like to create your own team and invite others, follow the instructions at Ride Roll Stroll.
Running through November 30, this challenge isn't just about logging miles or exploring different routes—it's about creating a more inclusive, safe, and environmentally friendly transportation landscape.
Every step we take or pedal we stroke in this challenge isn't just for ourselves; it's a statement of support for a community of individuals who rely on alternative modes of transportation—including bicycles—as a means of basic mobility. I believe it's our responsibility to ensure that the roads and pathways are safe and welcoming for all cyclists, regardless of their purpose for riding.
The Ride Roll Stroll challenge is about collective action and solidarity. It's an opportunity for us to come together, pedal by pedal, to make a tangible difference in our communities.
Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just getting started, every mile logged in this challenge contributes to a larger cause—the cause of making Florida a safer, more bicycle-friendly place for everyone. And perhaps the best part? You get to experience the joy and freedom of cycling while earning rewards and a chance to win prizes through Nov. 30.
So, I urge you to saddle up, join me today in the Ride Roll Stroll challenge, and ride with gratitude and purpose. Together, we can pedal towards a brighter, safer future for all cyclists in Florida.