As vehicles and trucks blanket the streets of Tallahassee, cyclists say they are being left behind and increasingly vulnerable.
While cities like Chicago and New York have made strides in protecting their cycling communities through designated bike lanes and strengthened traffic laws, cyclists in Tallahassee argue that the city lacks the same level of commitment.
“I’ve been hit. I’ve had several friends get hit. It’s almost not a matter of have you had friends get hit — it’s which ones are still around,” said Alan Amidon, a Tallahassee Polo Bike Club member.
Crashes involving cyclists in Tallahassee rose by roughly 8% last year, increasing from 65 incidents in 2023 to 70 in 2024, according to a study conducted by Elana Barrera and the Tallahassee Democrat.
Cyclists like Abasiano Udofiah believe this increase points to a broader issue: a lack of accountability and visible support from city officials.
“It feels like the community and the city don’t care about reinforcing the bike laws and really establishing a clear boundary for us to feel protected,” Udofiah said.
Despite Tallahassee’s infrastructure and law enforcement presence, cyclists say they often feel ignored by authorities, even after being involved in accidents.
“There have been many times when people have run red lights with a cop around. I’ve witnessed that a lot,” said Calla Mitchell, president of the FSU Bike Club. “So, they just don’t care, it seems. Like, they have other things to do, maybe. I don’t know. I feel like they could be more on the lookout, and I don’t think a police officer has, like, ever even crossed my mind to reach out to after I was hit.” Mitchell said.
Jack Porter, a Tallahassee city commissioner, has advocated for cyclists’ safety in Tallahassee and has already started making slow but steady changes. In an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, Porter listed some things the city of Tallahassee has started developing.
“Other safety improvements — some of which we have implemented in a limited capacity locally — include protected bicycle lanes, median refuge islands, high visibility crosswalk markings, pedestrian-activated stoplights, raised crosswalks, or using chicane designs,” Porter said.
Cyclists are pushing the city’s leaders to act — whether through better bike lanes, cleaner roads, a bigger presence from police enforcing bike laws, or direct outreach to the cycling community — to prevent further incidents and ensure all road users feel safe.
As Tallahassee grows, its cyclists remain caught between two wheels and a hard place.