As bicycle riders filled a block of Main Street in Miami Lakes and patiently awaited the signal to go from Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, there was a sense of excitement.
“We’re here together with the community, with faith leadership, everybody because we are the ideal place to live, work and play because you can ride your bike all year long,” Levine Cava said.
About 150 riders led by 60 Miami-Dade Police officers on bikes and motorcycles took to the streets to ride six miles from Miami Lakes to Hialeah early the morning of March 9.
This year’s Bike305 Bike to Work Day kicked off in Miami Lakes, which was recognized as the Municipality of the Year in 2019 for encouraging cycling and education.
In its 10th year, Bike305 Day encourages bicycle use throughout the county.
William Sanchez, leisure services manager for the Town of Miami Lakes, said the event “was amazing.”
“Seeing everyone everybody together [and] working together -- the county, city of Opa-Locka and the Town of Miami Lakes -- it’s great to see,” Sanchez said.
The municipality didn’t receive its award due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with scaled-back rides held in 2020 and 2021.
Riders got a free neon T-shirt, a free helmet and other swag provided by sponsors and businesses.
There were 10 booths, including local eatery ACAI EXPRESS; Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department whose staff fitted helmets; AvMed Insurance; Mack Cycle and Fitness; HelBiz and Miami-Dade College’s Hialeah campus.
Community partners included The Graham Companies; Freebee; Wheels bikes and South Florida Commuter Services.
Officials from 18 municipalities also journeyed to Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah and many spoke from a stage before the ride began.
Miami-Dade County Parks Director Maria Nardi thanked Levine Cava for her dedication to the cause.
“It’s really about building safer cycling infrastructure,” Nardi said.
Nardi also thanked Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid and the town for hosting the event this year.
Mayors from as far south as Palmetto Bay to as near as Miami Gardens were present, as were Miami-Dade County Commissioners Rene Garcia and Jean Monestime and Vice Chair Oliver Gilbert III.
Nardi celebrated the accessibility of Main Street in Miami Lakes, calling it a linear park with its tree canopy.
Levine Cava said biking brings the community together. She also thanked Cid and the town as well as The Graham Companies President and Chief Executive Officer Stuart Wyllie and Andrea Graham Rechichi, vice president of corporate relations for helping to make the ride happen.
Gilbert observed how during the pandemic, people rediscovered how great it was to ride a bike.
“I appreciate that we have the most beautiful community in the world to do it,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert said the ride was for everyone in the county, and that Miami-Dade County was one community.
Following the speeches, bikers grabbed their bikes, lined up along Main Street and hit the road.