More than 450 cyclists gathered in downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday, Nov. 7, for the free Not Just A Cyclist: Share the Road Ride, a community event that combined advocacy for safer roads with a charitable giveback. Hosted by Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers at Green Bench Brewing Co., the event featured 25- and 50-mile routes and concluded with food, drinks, and a bike build competition that resulted in 11 bicycles donated to children through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay.
The ride is part of the Not Just A Cyclist campaign, founded by attorney and cyclist John C. Austin to encourage drivers to recognize the person behind the handlebars. Through community rides, education, and local ambassadors, the campaign aims to foster awareness and respect among all road users. “The Not Just A Cyclist campaign is a call to action for everyone who shares the road,” said Austin, a partner at Roman Austin and founder of the campaign. “As an avid cyclist, I’ve witnessed the life-changing impact that road safety can have. That’s why I’ve pledged to follow the rules of the road and advocate for a safer, more respectful environment for all who share it. We’re asking drivers to show that same care. Bringing our community together is how we turn that shared responsibility into safer roads for everyone.”
The post-ride bike build competition added a charitable dimension, with teams of four assembling youth bicycles. “The ride is about safety, but the bike build is the part people remember,” Austin said. “You spend the morning on your own bike, then you spend the afternoon building one for a kid who might not have one otherwise.” The donation continues the campaign’s tradition of supporting local children through its community rides.
Local cycling clubs, businesses, volunteers, and community partners helped organize the event, which provided an opportunity for participants to connect around a shared message: every cyclist is a person whose safety matters. The event’s turnout and the bike donations underscore the campaign’s dual focus on education and community engagement.
For those interested in further involvement, the campaign encourages community members to take the Not Just A Cyclist pledge, become an ambassador, and share its road safety message. More information is available at romanaustin.com/not-just-a-cyclist.
The implications of this event extend beyond the immediate participants. By combining a mass ride with a tangible donation, the campaign highlights the role of community-led initiatives in promoting road safety and fostering goodwill between cyclists and drivers. Such efforts can contribute to reducing crashes and injuries by encouraging mutual respect and adherence to traffic laws. The involvement of local businesses and organizations also demonstrates how cross-sector partnerships can amplify safety messages and create lasting community impact.
