St. Petersburg holds the distinction of being the top-ranked city in the state for biking, according to a PlacesForBikes City Ratings. The results are largely driven by the city’s improvements in conditions for cyclists, for which the program ranked St. Pete 11th in the nation. In addition, St. Petersburg ranks as the 3rd most walkable city in the state of Florida. No car required for daily errands.

St. Petersburg City Trails

St. Petersburg’s city trails include bicycle lanes, bicycle routes, recreational trails, sidewalks, crosswalks, and other devices that assist people in getting around without a motor vehicle. Thousands of residents and visitors bike or walk for health, recreation, or as their primary means of transportation.

In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle – meaning bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways, and must obey the same traffic laws, as the operators of other vehicles. These laws include stopping for stop signs, obeying traffic signals and red lights, riding with the flow of traffic, using lights at night, and yielding the right-of-way when entering a roadway.

St. Petersburg Bicycle Club

Florida’s #1 bicycle club was established in 1968. The St. Petersburg Bicycle Club, Inc. is a non-profit, social and recreational club that exists to promote safe, satisfying bicycling opportunities to both club members and the general public of all ages and skill levels, through planned activities and events.

Saturday Club Rides: The Club’s largest rides are on Saturday mornings. They offer the most variety for speed, route and distance. Beginning at 8:30 AM rides are called out from fastest (24+ mph) to under 16 mph. From the beginning of October to the end of May, rides begin at 8:30 AM; and 8:00 AM during the summer months. For more information about the club or to join, visit their website at: https://stpetecycling.com

3 Most Walkable Neighborhoods in St. Petersburg

Downtown St. Petersburg is alive with art galleries, craft breweries, unique restaurants and music venues, such as Jannus Live, State Theater, Morean Arts Center, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Dali Museum as well as plenty of unique shops that appeal to all tastes. It hosts a fantastic number of annual events including the St. Pete Pride Parade, St. Petersburg Grand Prix, and Mainsail Art Festival; its Saturday Morning Market is one of the largest in the state. With a walk score of 90.9, Downtown St. Petersburg is a walker’s paradise.

Historic Old Northeast is one of the St. Petersburg’s most desirable neighborhoods. It is perhaps best known for its mix of property styles – Prairie, bungalow, colonial and Mediterranean- revival mansions. It has brick-paved streets, mature trees, charm galore and its very own dog park! You can walk, bike, roller blade and jog along its waterfront park where the waterviews are spectacular any time of day.

Historic Kenwood has seen a resurgence in the past few years and is now one of the trendiest, safest neighborhoods to live and walk. It is where you will find the largest collection of American bungalow architecture in Florida; monthly porch parties are a staple as well as guided walking tours given by St. Petersburg Preservation. It’s a great place for young families, artists, professionals and walkers of all ages to call home.

With 56% of millennials and 46% of baby boomers reporting they prefer to live in more walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, RE/MAX Metro realtor Estelia Mesimer says, walkable communities are becoming the latest trend in real estate. Properties located in convenient communities are commanding increases in the per-foot price of both commercial and residential spaces compared to those in neighborhoods where residents do not have amenities close to where they live.

Cycling and Walking Personal Health Benefits

The physical activity gained from walking and biking can have both environmental and personal health benefits. It decreases air pollution and car crashes which in turn can reduce chronic disease rates and traffic-related injuries. Physical activity can also help to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Trading in your car for a bicycle or pair of walking shoes is a simple way to increase the amount of exercise you get.

You Are Less Likely to Die Early

• Bicyclists are less prone to dying early than those individuals who do not ride, at all. At least one study found that spending one hour a day on a bike can reduce your risk of death by 18%. Adding an extra half an hour to your routine can drop your risk of death by nearly 28%.
• Studies have shown that walking can reduce the risk of death by 39%.

Lower Risk of Heart Disease & Stroke

• Bicyclists have healthy hearts. In fact, cyclists tend to have an 18% lower rate of heart disease than people who do not ride. Choosing to walk can also reduce the chances of suffering from cardiovascular issues. Studies have shown that walking every day can significantly reduce the chances of having a stroke.

Fighting the Diabetes Epidemic

• Type II Diabetes is increasingly problematic in the United States. The disease is often the result of a perfect storm: poor dietary choices and a lack of exercise. Ditching the car to bike or walk to work is a simple way to reduce the chances of being affected by diabetes. One European study found that people who bike for at least 30 minutes a day are 40% less likely to develop the disease.

Increased Mental Health

Biking and walking are not only good for the body. Bicycling and walking are also incredibly beneficial for the mind, as well. Studies show that people who choose to bike or walk tend to suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues less than others. Getting exercise by biking or walking can help to increase blood flow, release endorphins, and reduce overall stress. Even logging 30 minutes of walking a day can help to improve mental health and energy.

Cycling and Walking Social & Economic Benefits

Cities that have embraced biking and walking campaigns tend to be happy, healthy, educated, and economically stable. Residents in towns where bicycling and walking are popular have the opportunity to connect and engage with like-minded people. Biking and walking help to foster a community spirit and feeling of unity.

Cycling and Walking Environmental and Public Health Benefits

Regardless of the naysayers, the climate is changing, and transportation is a leading cause. In fact, transportation is the leading contributor of greenhouse gases. Cars, trucks, buses, and other fuel-powered vehicles are responsible for 28.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Why are greenhouse gases so bad for the environment? Greenhouse gases help to trap warmer temperature inside of the Earth’s atmosphere. This increases the overall temperature around the globe. Rising temperatures adversely affect crops, agriculture, sea levels, wildlife, and insects and pests. As temperatures continue to rise, our country is experiencing more wildfires, more droughts, and increasing public health concerns.

Reducing traffic by choosing to bike or walk can reap incredible environmental benefits. Consider ditching your car and hopping on a bike or walking the next time you need to go somewhere. Simply choosing environmentally-friendly modes of transportation some of the time can be incredibly beneficial.

Related Links:
Walkable City Rules: A Detailed Guide to Walkability, by Jeff Speck
Why Walkability is Important When Choosing a Senior Living Location
Can COVID-19 pave the way toward walkable, bikeable cities?

St. Petersburg Communities

If you’re interested in any of these of communities or live in one of them and are thinking of selling, call Estelia today!

Allendale Terrace
Bahama Shores
Bayway Isles
Coquina Key
Crescent Heights
Crescent Lake
Downtown
Greater Pinellas Point
Historic Kenwood
Historic Old Northeast
Historic Roser Park
Historic Uptown
Isla del Sol
Old Southeast
Placida Bayou
Snell Isle