May is National Bike Month, and the city of Key West is celebrating.
In preparation for the May 15 Bike to Work Day, the city teamed up with the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, FDOT, the county commissioners, Key West Transit, and a host of local businesses to hold a bicycle rodeo on May 9 at Key West High School.
The event included free bike helmets, fittings and bike lights. It culminated with a group ride escorted by the Key West Police Motor Unit.
There were over 50 helmet fittings, and the city provided over 100 rechargeable bike lights and bells. WeCycle provided bike tuneups, and Eaton Bikes gave away three new bikes.
“Throughout the month of May, the City of Key West will celebrate biking and the freedom, the joy and the well-being it imbues within us, as well as the power that more people riding bikes has in making life better for everyone,” a city proclamation states.
Key West has one of the highest rates of bicycle-commuting residents in the nation. The city has been recognized as a bronze-level bicycle-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.
The Department of Health, the University of Miami Bike Safe Program and Key West High School are promoting greater public awareness of bicycle safety during Bike Month and year-round in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities.
