New Pinellas Trail segment is mixed bag

For months we witnessed workers squeezing traffic on First Avenue S from four lanes to three as they built out the easternmost part of the Pinellas Trail in downtown St. Petersburg. So just how is this all working out for cyclists biking through the urban setting?

Times editor and bicycling enthusiast Jim Verhulst wrote a piece for the July 27 Neighborhood Times assessing the new route. He also came up with the idea to do a helmet-cam and film what you'll see on the ride. It's a little bumpy, but then so is the ride. Here's the view:

St. Pete mayor wants you to cycle with him

ST. PETERSBURG-- Mayor Rick Baker wants you to bike to work with him Friday in honor of National Bike Month.

Baker will depart from the Northeast Exchange Club/Coffee Pot Park, First St. and 31st Ave. NE, at 7:15 a.m. and then continue to City Hall. The public is invited to join.

To find out more about the city's expanding bicycle trail network or other information for pedestrians and cyclists, visit www.stpete.org/bicycle.

- Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer