JUNE UPDATE: SUMMER SAFETY AND THE BLUEPRINT FOR A SAFER FLORIDA

June has officially arrived in Florida, bringing a noticeable shift to our streets and pathways. School is out for the summer, meaning more children and families are sharing our neighborhood streets, local paths, and e-bike routes.

However, when summer heat and sudden afternoon downpours mix with heavy vacation traffic and distracted driving, the stakes for people on bicycles become incredibly high. Florida consistently faces a bicycle safety crisis, leading the nation in fatalities. Preventing these tragedies requires a coordinated safety system, not a single standalone solution.

That is why the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) message this month is simple: Safer bicycling across Florida takes all of us.

Over the past few months, the Florida Bicycle Association team has worked tirelessly to make the organization more visible, more vocal, and more useful. We are actively challenging dangerous road design and making the case for real, physical protection instead of mere white paint. Every initiative we launch centers around four foundational strategies: Advocacy & Policy Influence, Infrastructure & Planning Partnerships, Education & Safety Leadership, and Expanding Our Reach. These are the exact blueprints we use alongside our dedicated supporters and advocates to turn collective concern into concrete action.

Stay up to date with us on your preferred social media platform using the links below.

MULTIMEDIA DIGEST: VIDEOS, AUDIO, AND ARTICLES

If you missed any of our updates, videos, or discussions this past month, we have rounded up some of our top digital content below. Take a look, listen, and share these resources to help build community empathy and awareness.

FEATURED VIDEOS & AUDIO DEEP DIVES

• Watch: Safer Bicycling in Florida Takes All of Us – The core vision for our statewide safety ecosystem.

• Watch: A Stronger Statewide Voice & Why Florida Needs It – Rebuilding visibility and trust.

• Watch: Florida Bicycle Safety in 2026 – The current landscape and what the data tells us.

• Listen/Watch: Rediscovering Bicycling & Florida’s Bike Safety Crisis – A deep dive interview with Richard Garrett.

• Health & Cycling: Watch the Video or Listen to the Substack Podcast.

• Interview: April Podcast Interview with Rich.

ADVOCACY, INFRASTRUCTURE, & SAFETY SHORTS

• Advocacy: The Core of Bicycle Advocacy.

• Infrastructure: Built for Safety: How Infrastructure Saves Lives.

• Skills: Simple Skills That Prevent Bicycle Crashes.

• Regulations: Know the Difference: E-Bikes, Scooters, and More.

• Design: What a Protected Bike Lane Actually Does.

• Behavior: Why Riding With Traffic Makes Roads Safer.

• In Memoriam: Honoring Lives: The Ride of Silence Video.

ARTICLES, NEWS, & CAMPAIGN UPDATES

• National Policy: LAB National Bike Summit 2026 Summary.

• Our Blueprint: The 4 Pillars of Safer Bicycling in Florida.

• Behavior Change: Skills Plus Behavior Change Saves Lives.

• Engagement: Making a Difference: FBA and National Bike Month.

• Local Action: Safer Bicycling Starts with Showing Up.

• Growth: Together We’re Expanding Our Reach.

COMMUNITY & MEDIA IMPACT

• In the News: Manatee County Discusses Safety Study After Person on a Bicycle Was Killed.

• Feature Coverage: The Ride of Silence Coverage – The Observer.

• National Press: Do Drivers Hate People on Bicycles? – USA Today.

• Resources: Coastal Cruisers Supporter and Advocacy Presentation | Richard's YouTube Video Update.

HOW THE FBA SAFETY ECOSYSTEM WORKS

The Florida Bicycle Association operates a statewide safety ecosystem rather than a single-program organization. To build lasting change, we align our four core pillars with the strengths of our partners and supporters:

• Individual Supporters & Advocates: Ground our work in lived experience and amplify grassroots voices to inform regional planning discussions.

• Community Partners (Clubs & Local Groups): Create a unified local-to-state advocacy voice, ensuring better coordination with Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and local governments.

• Corporate Partners: Provide the vital funding engine needed to scale safety initiatives, improve education, and expand organizational capacity across the state.

• Government & Agency Partners (FDOT, MPOs): Deliver institutional alignment, creating crucial feedback loops for safer road networks and evidence-based safety messaging.

• Philanthropic Supporters: Accelerate our five-year strategic plan through long-term investments in systemic safety leadership and innovation.

THREE WAYS TO TAKE ACTION THIS MONTH

As we navigate through the busy summer months, we ask every advocate and supporter to commit to three simple actions:

1. Share the Message: Pass along one video, article, or resource from this update to someone who rides, drives, plans roads, or teaches children.

2. Grow the Coalition: Invite just one friend, family member, or riding partner to follow Florida Bicycle or become an official supporter.

3. Flag the Danger: When you see a street layout, intersection, or trail condition that puts lives at risk, flag it to your local officials, and drop us a line to let us know what you are seeing.

Florida Bicycle is actively rebuilding visibility, trust, and statewide impact—one intersection, one community partnership, and one safer street at a time. Thank you for refusing to accept the status quo. Let us make this summer safe.

SUPPORT SAFER BICYCLING STATEWIDE: BECOME A SUPPORTER OR ADVOCATE TODAY