Coast-to-Coast Bike Trail for Florida

[thelakelander]

Pretty cool.

Cycling enthusiasts have long dreamed of having a paved trail through the center of Florida that would give riders a continuous path from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

Now that vision may become reality.

The budget the Legislature passed last week includes $50 million to create a 275-mile "Coast to Coast Connector" by filling gaps between existing trails, from Canaveral National Seashore on the east coast to St. Petersburg on the west. In Central Florida, the trail would cut through portions of Lake, Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Brevard counties.

full article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/outdoors/os-florida-coast-to-coast-bike-trail-20130501,0,6115493.story

[spuwho]

This is excellent. I have always wondered why bike trails were so limited here in Florida with such a long riding season.

With so many abandoned railroad ROW's in the state, this makes a great opportunity. I would definitely ride a coast to coast trail.



The Volusia Trail uses the old FEC Enterprise-Maytown ROW.  The old FEC K-Line is still nearly accessible from New Smyrna all the way to Okeechobee. It would make a great N-S trail to connect with. It would be kind of cool to have a trail from Cedar Key to Fernandina...call it the "Yulee Trail" after our famous Senator following his upstart railroad line from the 1850's.

I have ridden bike rail to trails in Missouri that have brought new business to old small railroad towns that nearly died after the railroads left. Economy lofts for overnight riders, bike accessories, small food shops, etc.

I hope it works out.

[peestandingup]

This is excellent. I have always wondered why bike trails were so limited here in Florida with such a long riding season.

Florida really should be the cycling mecca of the country. In some ways it is (with weather playing an obvious factor), but in many ways it isn't (infrastructure). It pains me that places like DC, NYC, Seattle, Portland, etc are considered the year round "places to be" for cyclists because I for one hate their weather & it would make me not want to ride, even WITH a top notch infrastructure. Been there, done that & truthfully its not enjoyable. I see my old friends in DC posting cycling pics constantly in that shit weather they have most of the year & think they're crazy. Maybe FL has spoiled me, who knows.

Anyways, I think we'll get there & will eventually have the best of both worlds. It's just slower moving.

[Noone]

Along with a Bike Trail  there is a Waterways Trail. And Duval county didn't participate. It's True. Pull the tape. Visit Jacksonville!

[mbwright]

There are lots of abandoned rail lines that could easily be converted.  The Nature trail has some additional rail line that is not being utilized.  This should be able to go to Tallahassee to Tampa without too much trouble.
http://www.traillink.com/trail/nature-coast-state-trail.aspx

[tufsu1]

too bad this was passed by the Legislature LAST YEAR...and promptly met with a VETO from Gov. Scott!

[tufsu1]

try this version of the article

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-biking-trail-legislature-20140127,0,2146759.story

[PeeJayEss]

too bad this was passed by the Legislature LAST YEAR...and promptly met with a VETO from Gov. Scott!

But now Scott is trying to get re-elected and, therefore, flipping on plenty of issues (see teachers, Everglades, etc). Why not alternative transportation/recreation as well?

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

This will be a dream come true.

Will also be great for eco tourism.