Bicycle Friendly Community

Boca Raton, FL | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: Beautiful scenery, oceanside frontage, great weather, 44 miles of bike lanes, and 60 percent of arterials with bike lanes or shoulders makes Boca Raton a flourishing biking community. This Florida coastal town is home to The El Rio Trail, a 12 foot wide shared use pathway which provides residents the opportunity to ride a bike over three miles with little interaction with motor vehicles. The trail provides a direct link to the Tri-Rail commuter station. In addition, the City has funded four shuttle buses that provide bike racks on the front of the buses to include cyclist.

Most Significant Recent Accomplishment: Boca Raton boasts the completion of the most important link of the El Rio Trail, a 12 foot wide shared use pathway. This link provides a connection between Spanish River Blvd. and Yamato Road with a direct connection to the Tri-Rail platform, a commuter rail, via a bridge. The trail skirts along the waters edge, passing a decorative picnic area with landscaping and continues under the I-95 overpass. This section of the El Rio Trail provides a wonderful opportunity to Florida Atlantic University students accessing the campus by bike from the Tri-Rail station as well as providing recreational opportunities to the residents. The cost of construction was $1.7 million with funding through federal, state and local dollars.

Current Activities that Promote Bicycling: The city and the Boca Raton Bicycle Club (BRBC) jointly sponsor the 'Tour of Boca.' A 16 mile, police-escorted bicycle ride for most ages and all types of riders throughout the city. The professionally led ride is held once a month from November through April and gathers nearly 100 participants each event. The BRBC provides activities for children which includes collaboration with local civic groups and providing free helmets. The group also offers Safe Cycling Course led by League certified instructors for new and established riders.