What is West Volusia doing to become more bike-friendly?

THE FAMILIES THAT CYCLE TOGETHER — Members of the Canova and Shepherd families meet on Artisan Alley in Down- town DeLand in preparation for a Sunday cycle tour. From left are Kelly Canova, Courtney Canova (on a recumbent bicycle), Ella Shepherd, Jeremy Canova and Jeff Shepherd.
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What is West Volusia doing to become more bike-friendly? The West Volusia Beacon

DeLand, FL - West Volusia doesn’t have sandy beaches or Mickey Mouse. What it does have is excellent bicycle rides, and cities and the county are making plans to take advantage of that attraction.

And there should be plenty of people on two wheels to respond — thanks, in part, to COVID-19.

According to J.C’s Bikes and Boards owner J.C. Figueredo, the pandemic drove many people into his shop and onto the area’s bike trails.


“People took to outdoor activities where you weren’t on top of each other,” he said. “On the trails, any given day, between people walking and rollerblading and riding bikes, it’s almost crowded.”

While sales have slowed down from a pandemic peak, there are plenty of new bike owners looking for their next great ride.

“It’s just more fun to discover a new place by bicycle,” said Maggie Ardito, president of the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop Alliance.

Ardito moved to DeLand, in part, to take advantage of the great cycling offerings in West Volusia and to work to bring awareness to the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, a bike trail that, when complete, will run 260 miles, connecting the St. Johns River with the Atlantic Ocean.

West Volusia is situated well along three long bike trails, including the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop, and also hosts the county’s Spring-to-Spring Trail.

Local city governments, and Volusia County, are beginning to find innovative ways to take advantage of the trail systems and to make the roads more friendly for cyclists — but much more remains to be done.

DeBary

The City of DeBary has made a strong commitment to support bicycling, and was recently named the “Bike Friendly Community of the Year” by the Florida Bicycle Association.

“What we’re trying to build here is ...

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