TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa has miles to go when it comes to bicyclist safety.
"We absolutely need to become a more bike-friendly city,” said Stephanie Vinson. "Cycling is not an obstruction to traffic. We are traffic and that's really the purpose of the ride."
The two-hour ride the last Friday of every month through the city is called "Critical Mass Tampa Bay."
The ride takes place globally and 135 riders showed out this weekend in Tampa.
"Don't get in front of us to try to turn. We're traffic just like you so just be cognizant of that and respectful of that,” explained Vinson.
Vinson leads the Critical Mass ride which teaches cyclists and drivers how to navigate traffic. You can join if you have lights and a helmet.
"Drivers are supposed to give bicycles three feet,” said Kurt Johnson.
The co-owner ofTwo Broke Spokes bike shop in Seminole Heights says if you come across the group be respectful and attentive.
"If you're on a lane that has the bicycle with the arrow, that means that the lane is too narrow for to pass the cyclist within the lane,” said Johnson.
You should pass bicyclists just like a car in the other lane.
Rules of the road Vinson is hoping will catch on as the group rides.
"I'm not here to annoy you. I'm just here to get my ride on and have fun,” she said.
