NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)October 23, 2026Hillsborough County
Tampa completes the 3.5-mile Green Spine Cycle Track connecting North Hyde Park to East Tampa
Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)
The City of Tampa has completed the Green Spine Cycle Track, a 3.5-mile protected two-way bike lane running from North Hyde Park through downtown and Ybor City to East Tampa. Construction on the final section along West Cass Street began last October and finished in September, featuring three-foot raised concrete dividers and narrowed travel lanes to calm traffic.
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)Why It Matters
Cyclists and scooter users now have a physically separated, continuous east-west route across Tampa, funded by $8 million in grants and $1.6 million in city money, with local businesses reporting increased foot traffic.
Key Facts
- The Green Spine Cycle Track is a 3.5-mile protected bike lane spanning from North Hyde Park through downtown and Ybor City to East Tampa.
- The final section runs along West Cass Street between North Howard and North Rome avenues, covering more than a third of a mile.
- Construction on the final piece started last October and concluded in September.
- The total project cost was $8 million, with nearly 80% covered by grants and the remaining $1.6 million funded by the city.
- The two-way route features three-foot raised concrete dividers separating bicycles from vehicle traffic.
- Travel lanes have been narrowed along the route to help calm traffic.
- The City's Eco-Counter recorded over 60,000 cyclists using the Green Spine during 2026.
- Local business owners attribute increased foot traffic and customer visits to improved bike and scooter accessibility.
Who's Mentioned
locationE. 21st Street“Easternmost reach of the cycle track.”locationNebraska Avenue“Route path downtown.”otherGreen Spine Cycle Track“A 3.5-mile protected bike lane.”locationW. Cass Street“Street where the final piece of the cycle track was built.”locationTampa“City government that planned, funded, and completed the cycle track.”locationN. Rome“Avenue boundary for the final cycle track segment.”locationHoward Avenue“Starting point near Cass Street.”locationNorth Hyde Park“Western starting point area of the cycle track.”OrganizationEco-Counter“City counter located at N. Boulevard and Cass Street.”locationYbor City“Neighborhood through which the cycle track runs.”location15th Street“Route path segment.”locationN. Boulevard“Location of the city's Eco-Counter.”PersonJustin Basil“Owner of Urban Jungalow.”OrganizationArmory“Landmark near the start of the cycle track in North Hyde Park.”location21st Avenue“Location of Cuscaden Park.”locationCuscaden Park“Park located at 21st Avenue along the route.”locationNuccio Parkway“Route path into Ybor City.”locationN. Howard“Avenue boundary for the final cycle track segment.”PersonJane Castor“Mayor of the City of Tampa.”OrganizationUrban Jungalow“Health-focused company on Cass Street.”locationEast Tampa“Eastern endpoint area of the cycle track.”