St. Petersburg hosted its first Open Streets event on Sunday, October 9, 2016 in the Downtown EDGE District to celebrate new and different ways of thinking about transportation. People gathered in the streets around Mirror Lake to participate in a variety of activities including group hula-hoop lessons, roller-skating, cycling, yoga, running, skateboarding, scooting, walking, and learning choreography to dance to David Bowie.

Bike/Walk Tampa Bay was one of 46 vendors who populated the streets. BWTB’s certified helmet-fitting specialists fit children and adults for new helmets and talked to passersby about bicyclist and pedestrian safety. Local artisans and food trucks offered a wide array of items and culinary experiences, punctuating the strong presence of health and safety advocacy groups. Coast Bike Share had their bikes there, holding a “slowest” bicycle race. The bikes are not available for rent yet, but Coast expects them to be deployed in St. Petersburg soon.

Arielle Mundy was one of many St. Petersburg cyclists who stopped by the Bike/Walk Tampa Bay tent. “My mom saw pictures of me and my friends out riding on Facebook and commented, ‘Looks like fun except for one thing! Where’s your helmet?’” Arielle was promptly fitted for a helmet, making the day a safety success for Arielle, her mom, and countless others who walked away with new newfound gear, knowledge, and confidence.