Wellness & Mobility: Biking Along Horizon West

Locals gather to plan healthy vision of biking and walking

A Healthier and Safer Horizon West

Horizon West was designed with wellness and accessibility in mind. With an eye to the future of mobility, developers designed the villages of Horizon West to include bike racks, pedestrian trails, and lush walkways along residential and commercial streets - promoting a sense of health, safety, and well-being for residents and visitors alike.

With this ethos in mind, residents and community leaders of Horizon West can promote a continued sense of wellness for their family and neighbors by participating in initiatives that help to keep cities biking and walking friendly.

Additionally, our Horizon West community can make use of existing bike racks and walking paths throughout the community, and urge local developers, schools, and community leaders to keep biking and walking safety in mind when planning future build projects. These advocacy efforts were explored locally at the Annual Florida Bicycle Summit held in Winter Garden.

The Florida Bicycle Association Summit

The Florida Bicycle Summit, held November 15th-17th this year in Winter Garden, was hosted by the Florida Bicycle Association (FLBA), a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and partners to make Florida better for people who enjoy biking for sport or hobby, and for people who may instead need to bicycle.



Their mission states:

"We advocate for better policies and infrastructure, we provide training and education for cyclists, motorists, and other roadway users, and we deliver direct assistance to communities. We do this work to improve public health, strengthen local economies, advance equity, and protect the environment."

FLBA Executive Director Kelly Morphy with summit keynote speaker, Erick Cedeño, "The Bicycle Nomad"

Photo: @bicycle_nomad on Instagram



Summit Highlights

The first day of the summit was marked by best practices for planning, designing, and building places that are bicycle-friendly, with speakers encouraging active participation in community hearings and meetings that discuss upcoming road and park projects.

The second day of the summit focused on how to make the case for such places, with group bike rides being held on both days. Speakers like Tony Garcia of StreetPlans, an advocacy group that creates more bikeable cities, highlighted how cities can use creative volunteer opportunities with road developers in their area to highlight bike and walking paths, making roads safer and more accessible for our neighbors.

This year’s keynote speaker was nationally recognized biking advocate, historian, and storyteller, Erick Cedeño, who shared his journey of biking and ways to get involved.

Biking in Horizon West

Here in Horizon West, countless parks and trailways offer tranquil rides for bike beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Looking to the future of bikeability in Horizon West, Horizon West Regional Park (HWRP) offers families and bike enthusiasts a way to explore riding, through its large urban nature sprawl of 215 acres. Currently under construction, the first phase of the park is expected to be complete by late 2025, offering those looking for more biking options in Horizon West a new sense of hope.

Additionally, many businesses located within Horizon West offer bike racks for those looking to commute in a way that is healthy, environmentally-friendly, and fun to their favorite Horizon West shops along the villages.

Bike Rack Access Along Village Shopping Centers

Parks & Paths Around Horizon West

In keeping with the village-centric design of Horizon West, neighborhood parks serve as shared outdoor gathering places and offer green space for the local residents. Provided and operated by Orange County, typical neighborhood parks offer amenities like bike racks and paved walkways for those looking to start cycling.

These small parks are designed to serve residents within walking distance and are often located adjacent to Orange County public schools. Below are some parks within Horizon West to explore while biking or on foot.

Get Involved

Visit Florida Bicycle Association's website for more information on creating bikeable and walkable streets for Horizon West, including volunteer and leadership opportunities.