National Bike Summit Reinforces Florida’s Path to Safer Bicycling
Last week, Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) board members Rich Garrett, Eugene Rider, and Alan Amidon along with other dedicated advocates from the Sunshine State represented Florida at the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. The delegation joined advocates, transportation leaders, and elected officials from across the country to align on a national vision for bicycle safety, youth education, and federal policy.
We returned with a clear message: the work we are doing in Florida is directly aligned with the most effective national strategies for improving safety and access for people on bicycles.
The Summit reinforced a core FBA principle: progress for people on bicycles requires a "safety ecosystem" that integrates infrastructure, education, and sustained political engagement.
Advocacy and Infrastructure in Focus
During Legislative Day, FBA leadership met with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for the preservation of vital federal programs. These meetings included Senator Rick Scott, Senator Ashley Moody, and Representatives Vern Buchanan, Carlos Gimenez, Greg Steube, Frederica Wilson, Byron Donalds, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Daniel Webster.
The focus remained on protecting current funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), and the Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Special Rule. These programs are essential to Florida, where fatality rates for people on bicycles remain among the highest in the nation.
"The Summit reinforced that bicycle safety is bigger than any one issue," said Eugene Rider. "It is about safer roads, stronger education, better understanding of e-bikes, and continued investment in the kinds of local infrastructure projects that protect children, families, and everyday riders."
A major highlight of the event was the recognition of Representative Vern Buchanan (FL-16), who received the National Legislator Award. As a leader in the Congressional Bicycle Caucus and an avid person on a bicycle himself, his support for millions of dollars in safe roads funding serves as a model for how policy can protect vulnerable road users.
Leading on E-Bike Policy and Youth Education
The Summit addressed the complex challenges of e-bikes and e-motos. National discussions reinforced FBA’s position that better infrastructure, consumer protections, and clearer public education are more effective than broad over-regulation. FBA will continue to lead in Florida by advocating for practical legislation and providing the education needed to distinguish lawful low-speed e-bikes from higher-speed devices.
Additionally, the Summit emphasized the growing importance of youth bicycle education. From Safe Routes to School initiatives to bike rodeos and hands-on skills programs, the FBA is committed to partnering with schools, law enforcement, and local governments to ensure the next generation of people on bicycles can ride safely.
A Holistic Approach to Community Health
A significant takeaway from the Summit was the framing of bicycling as more than just a transportation mode. Speakers tied safer bicycling to:
Reduced healthcare costs and improved public health outcomes.
Stronger local economies and increased tourism.
Improved school outcomes and more livable, equitable communities.
Our Commitment to Florida
The Florida Bicycle Association is positioned as Florida’s credible authority on bicycle safety. By combining advocacy with community education and local leadership development, the FBA is building a statewide coalition to advance safety outcomes for everyone.
The national conversation is moving toward the exact space the FBA has been defining: safety leadership that integrates advocacy, infrastructure, and education. We remain committed to our mission of making Florida a state where bicycling is safe, accessible, and low-stress for all—because we deserve better.
