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West Palm Beach encourages more biking in downtown

Posted at 7:03 PM, Mar 25, 2017
and last updated 2019-03-26 21:33:38-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Raphael Clemente says one of the best ways to see downtown West Palm Beach is on a bike.

Since the city started a bike share program in 2015, there are more than 8,000 registered bike users.

Clemente, who is with the Downtown Development Authority, said,  "It helps bridge those gaps where it's just a little too far to walk, but I don't necessarily want to jump into an Uber or get on the trolley."

He said, "When you get more people into downtown, driving becomes a little more challenging, parking, driving, etc."

Mayor Jeri Muoio believes riding a bike improves the air you breathe. "It also helps us to lower our carbon footprint. We are committed in our city to making sure that we are carbon neutral by 2050," she said.

Next week the city will have a bike-to-work challenge, and they're in the process of adding more bike routes beyond downtown.

Penni Redford, the climate change and resiliency manager, told us,
"Every time you walk or bike or carpool or take public transportation, you are helping." Heather Tribou with the planning and zoning division said, "Biking supports sustainability goals, health goals, mobility goals and it makes a better place to live."

Of course there is a warning. If you decide to ride your bicycle -- ride safely. Clemente has some tips, "Behave like a motor vehicle. Follow the rules of the road stop at lights and at stop signs. Make yourself visible to drivers, signal your intentions."

The city is hosting a series of meetings to inform the public of the Bike Master Plan. The next meeting is March 29th  6pm-7p:30pm at Conniston Middle School. Also, the city is partnering with local agencies during Bike-To-Work week March 27th through March 31st.