Bike Walk Coral Gables: History Seen from Two Wheels 

The BWCG Bikes Tours Are an Eye Opener

Every third Sunday it’s BYOB. That normally means bring your own bottle,but in this case it means “bring your own bike.” Starting at 10 a.m. from the Coral Gables Museum, bikers can join a group of 30-some other cyclists for a historical tour of the City Beautiful and adjacent communities. We signed up ($10 per person, $5 for museum members or city employees) for a tour directed by Christine Rupp, executive director of Dade Heritage Trust. She brought the history of Gables’ Bahamian settlers to life, taking us past architectural landmarks in the Gables and Coconut Grove. 

Bike Walk Coral Gables, which sponsors the monthly event, is a non-profit organization that advocates for cyclist and pedestrian safety. “We want to create a social experience when it comes to riding your bike and walking in Coral Gables – to create a safer, friendlier environment for cyclists and pedestrians alike while actively engaging them in history,” says Vice Chair Nicolas Cabrera. “Our bike tours create a sense of community.” 

We were a little nervous about biking on the street, but Bike Walk made it feel comfortable. We were surrounded by a gang of cyclists – including designated leaders with reflective jackets who stopped traffic, warned for passing cars and guided the ride in an organized formation. Each tour consists of a different theme and route, led by an expert guide. For us, the ride opened our eyes to the historic significance of places we drive by every day. Visit www.bikewalkcoralgables.org to see their tour schedule.