Nominations open for Michael R. Schwaid Bicyclist of the Year

Michael R. Schwaid being presented the first BWTB Bicyclist of the Year award by former Advisory Board Chair, Mayor Jane Castor (left); winners of the Michael R. Schwaid Bicyclist of the Year award, named in Mr. Schwaid's honor, Steve Brown (center) & David Guttenplan (right).

Each year the Bike/Walk Tampa Bay (BWTB) Advisory Board selects a local citizen bicycle advocate to receive the Michael R. Schwaid Bicyclist of the Year award. BWTB invites readers to submit nominations for the 2020 Michael R. Schwaid Bicyclist of the Year award, which will be presented later this fall. Candidates are local Tampa Bay citizens who have displayed resilience and courage to overcome an obstacle to continue bicycling, demonstrated commitment to improving bicycling locally, or is a source of inspiration to other bicyclists.

BWTB presented its first Bicyclist of the Year award to Michael R. Schwaid, who was known by many as “Michael on Bicycle,” in 2017. Michael was honored for his passion for bicycling, and his courage and resilience in getting back on his bicycle after being rear-ended by an intoxicated motorist. Michael later passed away of natural causes; to honor him, the BWTB Advisory Board, with the support of the Schwaid family, named the award “Michael R. Schwaid Bicyclist of the Year.” The award has since been presented to Steve Brown (2018) and David Guttenplan (2019).

Nominations are being accepted from now until October 30, 2020. If you would like to submit a nomination, please do so here: surveymonkey.com/r/schwaidaward.