FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/1/2014
Contact: Tim Hayes
Phone: 612-423-6873
Email: info@swift-cycle.com
Web: swift-cycle.com
Re: National Bike Month

City of Gainesville Recognizes May As National Bike Month.

Gainesville, FL- With summer around the corner and for the second consecutive year, the City of Gainesville and local community members including Gainesville Citizens for Active Transit, Gainesville Cycling Club, University of Florida’s Office of Sustainability in conjunction with local bicycle shops, Swift Cycle and Gator Cycle have recognized May as National Bike Month. At the recent City Commission meeting on Thursday, May 1st, Mayor Ed Brady proclaimed, “the bicycle plays an important role in the lives of many Gainesville residents, serving as an integral form of transportation and recreation.”

Bicycling in Gainesville is a growing choice for transportation and recreation. According to the US Census Bureau 6.2% of commuters in Gainesville travel by bicycle. Compared to the national rate of .6% the City of Gainesville can be considered a cycling mecca.

The community boasts several active clubs, organizations and businesses dedicated to cycling. The Gainesville Cycling Club has over 1100 members and is currently active in defending their National Bike Challenge title they won in 2013 from the League of American Bicyclists. The recently formed Gainesville Citizens for Active Transportation has been working on identifying projects for cyclists and pedestrians for the upcoming County Sales Tax Referendum. Two local bike shops, Swift Cycle and Gator Cycle have joined forces in working to increase cycling advocacy and awareness within the business community.

Keith Richards, co-owner of Swift Cycle, said “Biking to work, or riding for recreation can be both exciting and rewarding. With proclaiming May as bike month the City of Gainesville is continuing to show that they respect and appreciate individuals that make cycling a part of their everyday life.”  Another example of the City’s growing commitment to cycling was the completion of the 6th Street spur of the Hawthorne Trail that travels past the newly constructed Gainesville Police Headquarters. With more infrastructure improvements along the way Richards is excited, “the City of Gainesville continues to recognize that a sizable and growing percentage of folks choose to travel by bicycle in our wonderful city.”