collage of images with bike signs, someone biking, and multiple bikers
collage of bikers along harbor, biker with dog, and regular biker on path
collage of woman biking along harbor, park bench, and man biking on path
collage of people parking and riding bikes
collage of couples biking along harbor and on path
collage of people biking along harbor and on street
collage of bikers and biking trail signs

With mild winters and plenty of flat terrain, Punta Gorda is a wonderful year-round place to ride a bicycle.  Whether you haven’t ridden a bicycle in years or ride dozens of miles at a time, Punta Gorda has something for everyone.

Bicycle Loaner Program

If you don't own a bicycle, the local business community and TEAM Punta Gorda have collaborated to offer a Free Bicycle Loaner program that operates at several area hotels and marinas. Current locations where bicycles can be obtained are:

  • Four Points by Sheraton, 33 Tamiami Trail
  • Springhill Suites, 101 Harborside
  • Fresco's Coffee Shop, 321 Taylor Street
  • Military Heritage Museum, 900 West Marion Avenue

Bicycle Routes

The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau has published a Cycling Guide, which features local cycling paths and can be viewed below.

 

There are four marked on-street bicycle routes that range from 17 to 31 miles in length. These routes pass through Punta Gorda and the surrounding countryside, providing enjoyable and challenging rides for the experienced bicyclist.

BR Bridges  30 Miles  Ride runs over 13 bridges in the Punta Gorda area including a round trip over beautiful Charlotte Harbor
TG Tropical Gulf Acres 33 Miles Ride runs south to the Webb-Babcock National Wildlife Refuge and back to historic Downtown Punta Gorda
PG Tour de Punta Gorda 17 Miles Ride runs west from Downtown Punta Gorda through the beautiful Punta Gorda Isles neighborhood, then east past Florida SouthWestern State College, and back Downtown.
WL Washington Loop

31 Miles

 Ride runs east from downtown past the Punta Gorda Airport on a scenic route in the countryside around Washington Loop Rd and Riverside Dr

Florida Bicycle Laws

In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle and the bicyclist is a driver. Bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways, and must obey the same traffic laws as the drivers of other vehicles. These laws include:

  • Obey traffic signals & signs
  • Riding with the flow of traffic
  • Using lights at night
  • Yielding the right-of-way when entering a roadway
  • Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalk

Florida bicyclists should be aware of these additional laws:

  • Bicyclists are allowed on all roadways in Florida except where specifically prohibited
  • Bicyclists have the right to occupy the travel lane if the travel lane is not wide enough for the safe passage of both a vehicle and a bicycle
  • A vehicle passing a bicycle must give a minimum of 3 feet of clearance to the bicyclist
  • Bicycles are permitted on sidewalks
  • Helmets are required for any rider under 16 years old

Shared Path Etiquette

  • Keep right
  • Bicycles ride slowly
  • Stop at driveways and intersections
  • Audibly warn when passing
  • Keep pets under control
  • Listen for audible warnings from passing joggers and bicycles
  • Groups or couples give way to passers of oncoming traffic