Tampa – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has teamed up with the City of Tampa, the Tampa Downtown Partnership, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay and other community partners to bring an exciting open-streets activity to Downtown Tampa as part of FDOT’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Focused Initiative.

Cyclovia (also known as ciclovía or “open streets”) is a ground-breaking activity that began in Bogota, Colombia, where major city streets are temporarily closed and re-purposed into safe and open, car-free environments for families to run, bike, play and be well together.

Cyclovia Downtown Tampa will take place on Sunday October 19, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. State Road 60/Kennedy Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic from west of Nebraska Avenue to east of Tampa Street from approximately 5:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tampa Street and Nebraska Avenue will remain open to traffic.

The Cyclovia will include bicycle/pedestrian safety training presentations, helmet fitting stations, “pop-up” interactive street games, food trucks, “slow” bike races, and other activities to promote safety and awareness of bicycles and pedestrians on roadways in Florida. The activity is free and appropriate for all ages. More information about the Cyclovia including schedule, directions/parking instructions, group-ride meet-up locations, volunteer opportunities, and SR 60 and US 41 Business detour information can be found at www.CycloviaTampaBay.com. More information on FDOT’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Focused Initiative can be found at www.AlertTodayFlorida.com.

Free on-street parking is available in downtown Tampa north of Whiting Street on weekends. Complimentary bike valet will be available on-site.

For more information, contact Kris Carson, 813-975-6060, Kristen.carson@dot.state.fl.us