TBAY cyclists can nearly rejoice.

Tampa kicked off work on the final stretch of the Green Spine Cycle Track earlier this week. Once finished, the ~3.5 mile protected, two-way bike lane — featuring a three-ft concrete divider — will keep cyclists safer as they wheel through Tampa’s downtown core, into Ybor City + East Tampa.

Where is the last stretch?

This pass is located along West Cass Street from North Howard to North Rome Avenues, which comes out to more than a third of a mile. Construction on the project should be finished by the end of the summer.

Take a peek at the expanded route. | Graphic via City of Tampa

More need-to-know biking updates

In addition to this urban trail, some local biking enthusiasts are also working on one of TBAY's first mountain biking trail systems. The Southwest Association of Mountain Bike Pedalers — fittingly monikered SWAMP — are making it happen at Lake Seminole Park, according to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. What exactly does a mountain biking system look like in Florida where you know, there aren't mountains? The setup boasts 10 miles of off-road trails, adaptive-friendly routes, and a skills and training course area.