Biking U.S. Hwy 19 in Pinellas?
 

I am a casual and not too confident rider. I would be riding on the sidewalk. Does anyone ever ride U.S. 19? It seems like such a small sidewalk and it's inclosed by a railing so I don't see how people would be able to get by 1 another.

Why ride on US 19? Why not take the side streets?

Haha that's just what Google Maps bike route came up with. I don't really see another way to get from Bellair Rd to Haines.

The only other route I see is taking belcher to East Bay but I have to ride East Bay currently and I just got hit by a car on that road today. I am moving soon near Bellair St and I am trying to find a way back to my work which is on East Bay/Roosevelt

Not quite sure where on Bellair or where in the East Bay/Roosevelt area you need to ride in, but the county recommends Nursery rather than Bellair on their map for the east/west portion of it and Keene or Belcher for the north/south portion. http://www.pinellascounty.org/mpo/maps/Bike_LRTP.pdf

Good luck at it - like anywhere, there are still crazies on the roads.

Biking U.S. Hwy 19 in Pinellas?



Are you daffy? 49th St would be a much better option for you. Or 28th ST. But please stay clear of US 19, my sister drives that route twice a day and she has had numerous moving violation summons'.

I've only ridden on a very, very short section of it (East Bay to Bellair) and I've stuck to the sidewalk. It was tight but pretty easily do-able.

Thanks for your input.
I really have NO IDEA what a decent bike route would be. I am a very casual biker who is just now getting into biking to work and I am moving to this new area next week and I am trying to plan a route.

This is around where I need to get to and from
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...&z=14&lci=bike

It does not look like 49th street is doable for me, right? Should I just continue down 66th st instead of going on to 19?

Thanks!

Looks good. Bellaire is a decent ride.

That's good to hear! Thanks!

I haven't ridden Bellaire but I agree it looks like it shouldn't be a big deal. So far even with all the construction going on on 19 right there the sidewalks have remained open. I can tell you there is a traffic light there at Bellaire and 19 so you can cross 19 easily there if the sidewalk on the West side should get closed. Otherwise, just ride the sidewalk south and then you can very easily cross at Whitney where there is an overpass. That's where I usually cross.

Roosevelt also has sidewalks on both sides and several traffic lights so that will be a breeze as well!

There are more accidents and crazy drivers on 19 than any other place in the area. Please stay away or ride the PinTrail.... it's a great trail and will take you all the way through the county.

Sorry, but this was my first thought when I read the original post. :) 19's either a vast simmering parking lot or a sort of straightened out NASCAR track; either way, not anyplace I'd look to be putting a bicycle. :) Pinellas has enough north-south drags and such a vast network of quiet neighborhood streets that it really ought to be possible to come up with a bunch of alternate routes. Good luck!

Favorite west central Florida bumper sticker sighting: "PRAY FOR ME - I DRIVE ON 19"