450 Cyclists Ride for Safer Roads, Donate 11 Bikes to Kids

More than 450 cyclists gathered in downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday, Nov. 7, for the free Not Just A Cyclist: Share the Road Ride, a community event hosted by Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers at Green Bench Brewing Co. The event combined a call for safer roads with a charitable initiative, donating 11 bicycles to children through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay. Riders tackled 25- and 50-mile routes before returning for food, drinks, and a bike build competition.

The ride is part of the Not Just A Cyclist campaign, founded by attorney and cyclist John C. Austin to encourage drivers to see the person behind the handlebars. Through community rides, education, and local ambassadors, the campaign promotes awareness and respect between people who share the road. “The Not Just A Cyclist campaign is a call to action for everyone who shares the road,” said Austin, a partner at Roman Austin and founder of the campaign. “As an avid cyclist, I’ve witnessed the life-changing impact that road safety can have. That’s why I’ve pledged to follow the rules of the road and advocate for a safer, more respectful environment for all who share it. We’re asking drivers to show that same care.”

After the ride, teams of four competed to assemble youth bicycles, turning the gathering into an opportunity to give back. The competition resulted in 11 bikes donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay. “The ride is about safety, but the bike build is the part people remember,” Austin said. “You spend the morning on your own bike, then you spend the afternoon building one for a kid who might not have one otherwise.” Local cycling clubs, businesses, volunteers, and community partners helped bring the event together. Community members can continue supporting the campaign by taking the Not Just A Cyclist pledge, becoming an ambassador, and sharing its road safety message. Learn more at romanaustin.com/not-just-a-cyclist.