SEMINOLE HEIGHTS — Located in a state known for bicycle fatalities, Tampa often gets a bad wrap when it comes to bicycles.
Florida leads the nation in bike-related traffic deaths, clocking in with 6.52 cyclists killed per million residents in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
But a coalition of local dealers is trying to make the city more bike-friendly.
Headed by cyclist Alan Snel, the Southwest Florida Bicycle United Dealers, SWFBUD for short, is committed to helping improve Hillsborough County's bicycle infrastructure.
The efforts have garnered national attention.
In mid April SWFBUD was awarded the Bicycle Retailer and Industry News' BRAINy award for bicycle advocacy.
Chosen from more than 4,000 bicycle retailers across the country, SWFBUD is the first coalition of bike shops to win the award.
"It's nice to be recognized nationally," Snel said.
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