SWFBUD Wants A Paved Trail Along The Bypass Canal

You just witnessed one of the few paved sections along the Bypass Canal.

SWFBUD wants the entire 14-mile public right-of-way stretch along the Bypass Canal -- which is operated by Southwest Florida Water Management District -- to have a paved trail just like the one you just saw.

The Bypass Canal Trail is just ONE segment of a multi-trail unified network of paved trails that SWFBUD is proposing for Hillsborough County.

This evening, I was joined by Jason Wilson and Nereia Cormier on a bike ride along the Bypass Canal from south of I-4 to State Road 60.

SWFBUD believes this unified trail network can be blended into a comprehensive bicycle infrastructure system that also includes intersecting roads with bike lanes.

The Bypass Canal Trail runs from State Road 60 all the way to New Tampa.



Most of the bikeable area along the canal is like this -- grassy.





Unfortunately, this public trail has too many points where access is discouraged. Like these two spots.






The Bypass Canal Park is one access point.


This is exactly what SWFBUD is asking for -- a paved trail along the canal. What a great ride. This section is adjacent to the Bypass Canal Trail Park. Unfortunately, not much of the right-of-way along the canal is paved. The vast majority is grass -- and in some places, knee-high grass.







This is the one road we were able to go under. Most time we go to the surface road, cross it and return to the canal right-of-way.


It's a lot of grass to bike through.


On the way to SR 60.


Barbed wire mounted across the opening in the fence -- not exactly inviting.


Jason and Nereia arrive.


The three of us at State Road 60.