Since 1978, motorcycles in the U.S. have been designed to have the headlight illuminated when the engine is running. It was a voluntary change made by the motorcycle manufacturers in an effort to increase a motorcyclist’s visibility. Back in 1978, there were few automobiles equipped with daytime running lights so you might have been more likely to spot a motorcycle heading in your direction if the headlight was on. Times have changed when it comes to automobile lighting and it might be time to consider a change from the standard motorcycle headlight to a modulating one.

A modulating headlight flashes or modulates in intensity, providing an increased level of visibility for riders. At this time, I don’t know of any models that come with this type of headlight  as a factory installed option. Modulator kits are priced from about $50 to $150 and use a microprocessor to control the intensity of the light. Depending on the manufacturer, the microprocessor causes the light to flash at a specific frequency, between 240 (plus or minus 40) cycles per minute (CPM). This frequency is chosen because it is the most noticeable to the human eye and helps it to stand out against the constant light of traditional headlights. A word of caution, if you don’t fully understand your bike’s electrical system, and if you don’t want to mess up your warranty, have the work done by your local bike shop.

The lights are legal in all  50 states. In Florida, they’re addressed in FS 316.405 which says, “During the hours of operation between sunrise and sunset, the headlights may modulate either the upper beam or the lower beam from its maximum intensity to a lower intensity, in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 571.108”. To ensure they’re only used during the day, the modulator has a sensor that allows only the regular headlight to operate after dark. Kinda makes sense, doesn’t it?

While there aren’t any scientific studies that support headlight modulators as an effective safety device it’s hard to deny they can give you additional visibility. Traditional motorcycle headlights can be difficult to see during daylight hours or in low-light situations. A modulating headlight, on the other hand, is much more noticeable, helping other drivers and riders to see you more clearly. This can help prevent accidents and make you feel more confident when riding.

Modulating headlights is a relatively new technology in the world of motorcycles, but their popularity is growing as bikers look for ways to make other motorists aware of their presence. They can help reduce the risk of distracted drivers by providing a more noticeable and dynamic light source. This means that other drivers are more likely to see you, even if they are not paying attention as they should.

Do they help? The best example I can give is a conversation I had with my wife when a bike equipped with this type of headlight was coming towards us. “That blinking light is annoying”, she said. “Perhaps, BUT you did see the motorcycle.” 

Tires are a crucial component of any vehicle. They provide traction, stability, and safety while driving. However, not all tires are created equal. Automobile and motorcycle tires may appear to be similar, but they have significant differences that affect their performance, design, and construction.

The most obvious difference between automobile and motorcycle tires is their size. Motorcycle tires are much smaller in diameter than automobile tires, with widths ranging from 90 to 200 millimeters and aspect ratios of 50 to 90. In contrast, automobile tires can be several times larger, with widths ranging from 175 to 335 millimeters and aspect ratios of 30 to 70. The smaller size of motorcycle tires makes them more agile and maneuverable, allowing for quick turns and sharp movements that are not possible with larger automobile tires.

Another key difference between automobile and motorcycle tires is their tread pattern. Automobile tires typically have a symmetric or asymmetric tread pattern, which helps to improve traction, stability, and handling on various road surfaces. Motorcycle tires, on the other hand, have a more complex tread pattern that is designed to provide better grip on both dry and wet roads. Motorcycle tires have deep grooves and channels that allow for efficient water dispersion, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and increasing safety in wet conditions.

The construction of automobile and motorcycle tires is also different. Automobile tires are typically made of steel belts and radial plies, which provide stability, durability, and resistance to wear and tear. Motorcycle tires, on the other hand, are often made of bias-ply construction, which is less stiff and more flexible than radial construction. This allows for better shock absorption and a smoother ride, which is particularly important for motorcycles when they encounter bumps and rough terrain.

The mounting method also matters. Automobile tires are mounted on metal rims that are bolted to the wheel hub of the vehicle, while motorcycle tires are mounted on spoked or cast alloy wheels that are attached to the bike’s frame. This difference in mounting affects the way the tires handle, as motorcycle tires have to cope with lateral forces and centrifugal forces that are not present in automobile tires.

Finally, the type of rubber used in automobile and motorcycle tires is also different. Automobile tires are typically made of harder rubber compounds that provide better durability and longer tread life, while motorcycle tires are made of softer rubber compounds that provide better grip and handling. The softer rubber used in motorcycle tires wears out more quickly, but it provides better performance in terms of acceleration, braking, and cornering.

In conclusion, while automobile and motorcycle tires may look similar, they have significant differences in size, tread pattern, construction, mounting, and rubber compound. These differences affect the way the tires handle, perform, and wear over time, and they are important to consider when selecting the right tire for your vehicle. Whether you are driving a car or a motorcycle, choosing the right tire can make all the difference in terms of safety, performance, and enjoyment on the road.

My name is Kylee and I am a brown-eyed four-paw Biker Babe.  I was adopted from the Akita Rescue in Jacksonville and what a life-changing adventure it’s been.  Since that day I’ve been to all the lower 48 states cruising the highways and byways in my chariot.

Now I don’t want to mislead any of my four-footed brothers and sisters, getting started diffidently took some serious work and patients but eventually, Hyway got his act together.  I’m here to tell ya it’s been a fantastic adventure.

First things first.  None of us like going’ the vet, but like havin’ to get a bath, it’s a necessary evil.  Before you even think about going on a road trip you’re gonna wanna make sure you’re current on all vaccinations, including “Kennel Cough”.  You never know where you might end up spending the night or even a few days when on a road trip, could be a rest area, a campground, a motel, or even a friends or relative’s house. While I’m on the subject of prevention, those pesky parasites like fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and worm larva-eggs are everywhere!  Be sure to keep up on your Heart Worm meds and flea and tick preventative, not only for your comfort but to keep your travel companion from going ballistic one morning waking up to find they’ve spent the night sleeping in a flea-infested sleeping bag or covered with ticks that have been feasting on them all night!  Hygiene is IMPORTANT; no one likes the smell of B-O whether it’s K9 or human or to get covered in hair when they pet you. Remember you’re gonna be sleeping in a small tent or at best a small room so keepin’ clean counts.  Whenever possible rinse off in a lake or stream but never use any type of soap or shampoo in lakes or streams.  Most campsites have some type of water supply for the campers so take a good shampoo bath from time to time; a good brushing is always appreciated.

Make sure your license tags are up to date, Ranger Rick just might wanna check ‘em out and be sure you’ve been microchipped with all current information.  It never hurts to have a separate ID tag also.  Word of warning tho, don’t put your name on the tag.  Just put Microchipped, daily medication, and your companion’s cell number on it.  Not everyone is honest, if you get kidnapped knowing your name is a huge benefit for ‘em and if they think you need daily medication they might turn you loose, and at least you have a chance to get found by an honest person or even the local dog catcher who will call your buddy or take you to a vet to get the chip read.

I know it’s beyond comprehension but there are some folks who just don’t like dogs or cats so make sure your travel buddy is aware of that.  Respect their opinion, don’t invade their space. The best way to change someone’s opinion about you is to be on your best behavior.  Even the most enthusiastic animal lover doesn’t like being jumped on, or havin’ to listen to continuous obnoxious barking!  Basic obedience training is your best bet for converting a non-believer.  The training needs to be well established so that you will be welcome in most places.  The two most important commands is the recall and stay command.  There will be times when you just can’t go in an establishment with your companion so learning to stay and wait is extremely important.  Teaching your travelin’ bud to be aware of your comfort while waitin’ for ‘em is also extremely important. They need to be aware that animal lovers are everywhere watching out for us and they’re not bashful about expressing their opinions or callin’ “Johnny Law”!  You’ll be surprised at how often the folks in charge will “bend” the rules and let you come in from the hot summer heat if you don’t stink, are clean, and behave yourself.

The next thing that needs to be figured out is how you are going to travel.  I personally travel in a trailer or as I call it my chariot. I love the wind in my face and hair (LOL!!!  Helmet laws don’t apply to us!).  The best option is gonna depend on your size, some of my smaller brothers and sisters are content traveling in a crate attached to the buddy seat or the back rack and some bigger ones even have their own sidecar!  It really doesn’t matter how you do it, there are always gonna be risks involved after all motorcycle touring isn’t the safest means of travel no matter how you chew the bone.

One last point, problems are gonna come up anytime you are traveling away from home.  Be sure your travel buddy has some basic animal first aid knowledge and has the 24-hour emergency telephone number of your vet.  In an emergency, they can at least call and get some over-the-phone advice.

Wishing you a doggone good trip!

(Originally published in Go For A Rider Magazine, August 2015. Kylee’s road-trip partner was Go FAR contributor Hyway Rebel.)

Larry was screaming at the top of his lungs, “I love you Louise and I want to spend the rest of my life with you”. 

Louise, shouting to be heard over the din of the passing traffic, replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll hold you close and never let you go until the day I die.”/p>

SSSPPPLLLAAAAATTTTTT!!!!!

Actually, I don’t know if Larry and Louise were their real names. And, I can’t say with total certainty that was the exact conversation they were having immediately prior to their demise. However, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it’s going to take more than Windex to clean up the remains. From my bike’s windshield, that is. That’s where the amorous couple, along with dozens of their friends, said adieu to this world and punched their tickets for Love Bug Heaven on a recent warm spring day.

If you do some riding in Florida for a few years you’ll become accustomed to the biannual swarms of love bugs that seem to be attracted to highways and byways like bargain hunters to those blue light specials. You know you’ve seen them, flying two-by-two, attached end-to-end, doing their own fluttering insect version of the mile-high club. They’re also called the honeymoon fly, telephone bug, double-headed bug, and March fly, but the scientific name is Plecia nearctica Hardy.  They’re less than an inch long, black in color, with a patch of red behind their heads. Girl bugs are a bit bigger than the boy bugs but they need the extra heft to enable them to maintain flight with the male corpse attached. You see, once the male performs his reproductive duty, he dies but continues to remain attached until the female lays her eggs and also dies. (Unless they happen to meet a certain windshield prior to that event.) If successful in avoiding the deadly roadways, or getting devoured by a hungry bird or lizard, the typical love bug can expect to live about two to three days out of the three to five weeks when they’re active each season. 

A popular myth is that an environmental experiment at the University of Florida created the bugs. The story goes that they were being bred to help control the mosquito population in Florida and some of them were accidentally released into the wild and began to flourish. Good story, but not true. The love bugs are native to Central America and arrived in the United States on cargo ships and spread from the ports into several southern states. Since the mid-1940’s the bugs have been annoying Sunshine State motorists. And, unfortunately, they’ve never been known to have developed that taste for mosquito meat. 

If you ride, it’s almost impossible to avoid them because one of their favorite places to lay eggs is in the dead grasses along our roads and highways. That’s when they perform their only useful chore by feeding on the decaying vegetation. They then take flight looking for love. I’ve gotta believe they’re at, or above, the curve on social networking as you never see them flying alone so they gotta be hooking up somewhere before taking flight. Are there singles bars or perhaps a Starbucks? Mated pairs of love bugs are not what you’d call aerodynamically efficient and I doubt they’re giving their full attention to where they’re going. This results in the bug-splattered vehicles you see on the road and also makes it easier to figure out the bikers who ride without a windscreen. Dude, what is that crawling around in your beard? 

Removing the bugs from your bike should be done quickly and with care as those little carcasses can be lethal to some paint jobs along with looking downright nasty. Come to think of it, those bugs in the beard could be lethal to some relationships. 

(Originally published in Go For A Ride Magazine June 2011)  

One of the joys about riding a motorcycle is the pleasure of going to different places to ride. I have been lucky enough to ride in many different areas in the U.S. and Europe, and every experience has created memories for me that will last a lifetime. Some of them are good, and some of them…well… not so good.

Going to ride a different stretch of land on a street bike can be an exciting adventure. There are few new variables to consider, but for the most part, when you are going to be traveling on asphalt, the road takes you where you are going. When you decide to try something totally different on a dirt bike, there are surprises that you might not be expecting. There are more to consider before you leave for your rides. Once you get to your riding destination, you may also have to completely adjust your riding style and technique to accommodate the conditions. This is something that happens in all aspects of motorcycle riding, but the degree of changes that you need to make for off road riding can be dramatically different compared to the others.

When I first started riding, I did most of my learning on motocross tracks…nice, wide motocross tracks. I remember the first time we went to a new riding area that had a motocross track and also some trails for woods riding. Most of the guys I rode with were very experienced riders, so they thought nothing of riding some laps on the moto track, and then cutting into the woods for some fast paced trail riding. Being a newbie at the time, I thought I would just follow them right off the track and into the woods. Within 200 yards of entering the woods, I knew I was completely out of my element and skill set. I hit a group of uncovered, wet tree roots with my front tire, and was quickly taking a soil sample with my head. Fortunately, I was smart enough to decide I needed some practice at that type of riding, swallowed my pride, and rode back to the moto track. I eventually did get that practice in the woods, and started racing some of the off road GNCC races for fun. But there was definitely a lesson learned that day.

A few years back, I took a few of my friends to ride some of the sand dunes in Michigan. (yes…they have full-blown sand dunes there). A couple of the guys that went to ride with us were fairly new to riding, and thought the sand would be a great place to go. My guess is that they were thinking that riding on sand would not be very difficult, and if they fell-down for some reason…it wouldn’t hurt. Cause sand is soft…right?? I had been riding for some time, so I knew I had to stay on the gas and adjust my weight back to keep the front wheel from digging in. Unfortunately, my buddies were experiencing something new, and found themselves two-footing their way around the dunes for a few hours before they figured things out. We all still had a great time, and I remember sitting around the campfire laughing until I cried talking about some

of the amazing riding we experienced that day. The point I want to make is that with off road riding, you can really switch things up and get a whole new experience. You can ride in the woods in the east, or the desert in the west, tracks, trails, up-hills, or down. You can go ice riding, or dual-sport riding. All of it is a good time. Plan a different type of ride this year. Take a weekend, and try something new. You are sure to create some good memories.

(This article was originally published in Go For A Ride Magazine, May 2011)

Over the years, I’ve attended a lot of motorcycle industry trade shows for work. These shows are great for seeing some of the new products available and they’re also great for seeing old industry friends. While roaming around and looking at all the cool stuff, I ran into one of those old friends. After spending 10 years racing supercross,  he decided it was time to quit and concentrate on his family and a new career. Now he finds himself working for one of the big parts distributors as a rep and spending the rest of his free time training some of the current crops of riders.

We spent a few minutes talking about family and friends and catching up on old times. He has two young kids and was telling me all the stories that come with being a father. Eventually, that led to a conversation about his kids learning to ride and what bikes they were on, which led to a conversation about the current race series and some of the riders. It’s funny how the conversation always leads to the passion for riding and racing.

When you get inside the industry it is pretty interesting to hear some of these stories. There is plenty to be told about the riders and some of the struggles they face. First, he told me about one of the top riders he was training. He recently injured his left leg and hasn’t been comfortable on the bike ever since, so he hired my buddy to come down and train with him to get things figured out. After a few hours of testing and watching him ride, the result was that the rider was favoring his good leg so much that he was riding lazily. Not shifting the bike when he needed to and trying to ride the whole track in two gears. He also was riding with poor form keeping his elbows down and riding out of position. All of these things resulted in poor lap times and a lack of confidence for the rider. The rider didn’t realize he was doing these things. It’s amazing that someone can be so good at something and do it so often that they don’t realize when they are doing it wrong. They only see the results and realize something is wrong. Another person’s point of view can be helpful at times like this. A few quick adjustments, mixed with some practice, and his lap times fell by a full second, which in this game is a lot of time.

He also told me about another rider who has a health issue. His immune system isn’t functioning properly and it is causing him to have issues maintaining stamina during a race. He gets tired after about ten laps and starts to slow down. At this level that is something you can’t do, so they were trying different training techniques in combination with a change in his diet to try to even things out. It’s still to be determined if it will work.

The public doesn’t get to hear these stories because the riders tend to keep these things under wraps. That’s why I am not putting any names in this article. Any disadvantage is an advantage to the competing riders, so keeping these things quiet is really important. Another consideration is the factory teams talk to each other, so, if you have an injury, letting people know could be detrimental to your future career. Really puts the riders in a tough spot. Who do you talk to, and how do you get help?

People don’t realize all the struggles these guys go through to get to race day. Most people think the riders just show up, everything is ready for them, and they hop on the bike and go race.

That’s not the case at all. These guys spend countless hours training and getting ready for race day. There is a ton of testing and planning that goes into every race. It’s really not as glamorous as people think. It’s a lot of work, and most of it isn’t very enjoyable. The ones that are good at it do it for the same reason as the guys and girls that ride on the weekend. They love it, it’s a passion and they want to be the best. It always seems to come back to that.

(This article was originally published in Go For A Ride Magazine, March 2015.)

One of the benefits of dirt bikes is you have all kinds of options for making your bike look cool. Dirt bikes use plastic body panels which get covered in vinyl graphics. These graphics are made of a thick durable material with a really strong adhesive. The graphics are usually available in all kinds of different styles and designs so you have plenty of options to choose from. When I buy a new bike, I usually go out and buy a replacement body kit and graphics right away. I save one of those kits, so when I decide to sell the bike, I can make it look like it just came off of the showroom floor. Initially this cost me a little money, but I have been able to get top dollar for the bikes when I sell them so it works out just fine.

The graphic kits usually run about 150 bucks for a full kit with all the trimmings. That seems like a lot of money, but when you consider the cost for a paint job on a street bike…it makes it a little easier to deal with. Full kits should consist of shrouds, rear, and front fenders, air box, front forks, swingarm, and number plates. You can find deals out there, but be careful. Those cheap eBay kits will not last very long and they usually don’t fit well. Try to go with a good brand name with 3M adhesive. Very important!

Over the years I have learned a few tricks for installing these graphic kits. Years ago I was tasked with designing these kits for KTM, so I got real familiar with applying them and determining what worked and what didn’t. You don’t want to rush the job. Take your time and things will go well. Try to rush it and your graphics are going to look like you rushed it.

First thing is to take the bodywork off the bike. Trying to apply them while the plastic is on the bike can be done, but it is a lot more difficult. I always take the plastic off the bike.

Next is to find a clean place to work. Dust or hair is your enemy. Getting anything under the adhesive will cause big ugly bubbles, so petting your dog while trying to put these on is not a good idea.

Clean all the plastic with a mild soap detergent and water. Using brake cleaner or even Windex will leave an oil residue on the plastic. You don’t want that. Even if the plastic is brand new, you have to clean it. It’s the only way to be sure the graphics will stick well. Once I clean the plastic with soapy water, I dry it off and wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. This will ensure the plastic is oil-free and clean.

Ok, now you are ready to start putting the graphics on. I suggest taking some of that soapy water and putting it in a spray bottle. Spray a slight mist on the plastic. While the plastic is still wet, peel off part of the graphics backing and position it on the plastic. Once you get it in place, peel off the rest of the backing and start smoothing it out. Use a credit card and work from one edge to the other applying even pressure. The goal is to lay the graphic without trapping air under it.

Once the graphic is on, then you can use a hairdryer to go over the entire piece. Be careful not to hold the hairdryer in one spot too long. You just want to activate the adhesive. This also will allow you to smooth out any issues where the graphic didn’t conform to the plastic shape. The heat makes it much more pliable. If you have any air bubbles you can use the heat with pressure from the credit card to work out the air bubble. If that doesn’t work, get a straight pin and pop the bubble. Then use the heat and push the air out of the pinhole.

If you take your time your bike will look awesome and your graphics will last a long time. Plenty of cool designs out there to choose from, so pick one out, and go ride!

(This article was originally published in Go For A Ride Magazine, February 2015.)

Technology has made certain kinds of theft easy. It gives us access to an incalculable number of photos, videos, and music files and it’s fairly easy to download copies. Therein lies the problem. Many people seem to believe that anything posted online is free for the taking and they can use it as they wish. In some cases, that’s true. Some of the stuff posted online or through the social media sites is put up there with the hope that people will see it and share it. That “going viral” type of distribution is precisely what some people want. On the other side are designers, artists, and others who expect, and deserve, credit for their work. The credit could be monetary or some other form of attribution, but the key point is that the item can’t be used without the owner’s permission.

What is copyright? The United States Copyright Law gives protection to the creators of certain works, such as books, magazines, newspapers, photos, recordings, songs, and so forth. Collectively these items are known as Intellectual Property and the creator of a particular piece has the right to determine when, where, and how the work is used. The law extends that protection until 70 years after the creator’s death. You’ll find copyright notices on all kinds of products but a lack of that notice doesn’t mean it’s not protected.

Copyright protection is pretty much automatic. When you take a picture of something, you own the copyright to that image. Even if you post it on your Facebook page, you still own the rights to that image and someone else can’t legally use it unless you give them permission. Using the Share function on Facebook is not a copyright violation.

If you take the time to actually read the Terms of Service for the main social networking sites you’ll see it includes a rule against posting images that you don’t own the rights to. If you do, you could be violating the U.S. Copyright law. I’ve seen many music clips posted online with a disclaimer, “I don’t own the rights to this song”. Exactly, so you shouldn’t be using it. It’s like walking out of the store with merchandise and saying “I didn’t pay for this” but you’re taking it anyway.

You are not allowed to use those images commercially. A few years ago a professional photographer I know found a company using one of his images to promote a holiday sale. He put his signature on all of his work, but it had been removed. He was frustrated but summed it up by noting that the mindset is that if it’s on the web you can use it.

So, unless you have the original creator’s permission, you can’t use that photo. Right? Not quite. You see, we’ve also got this very gray area called Fair Use. Section 107 of the Copyright Law addresses Fair Use and lists some of the factors which might allow a copyrighted piece to be used without the need to get permission. Those include when the work is used in news reporting, teaching, parody, comment, criticism, scholarship, and research. Yep, it’s a gray area and the fog gets thicker as new ways to share data evolve. It’s unlikely that any individual person is going to hear from the Copyright Cops for posting and sharing on their personal social network pages. Sharing is what this online socializing is all about.  

The problems arise when commercial entities, such as a motorcycle parts company, use images they don’t own to promote their business. This is especially prevalent on social media sites like Facebook. There’s a lot of pressure these days to have a dynamic website or Facebook page and everyone is trying to be the one to post the next “It’s Gone Viral” online sensation. And as long as you’re using your own creations, that’s a good thing.  But thievery should not be rewarded. However, policing the entire Internet is an impossible task, and it’s very likely you won’t get caught. And hey, everybody else is doing it! Why should you be left behind? Uh, perhaps because you’re an honest person with some integrity?

Back roads are the best roads. I’ve never been a “get there as quick as you can” rider. I avoid the interstates with a preference for any two-lane that curves through the countryside. Quick enough to feel the breeze, slow enough to enjoy the scenery and way from the hustle of the ever expanding urban landscapes. 

How do you find these roads? We’ve got dozens of them on our website map page (see link below). The maps are from the archives of Go For A Ride magazine which featured a map as the centerfold in each issue. That idea was the result of the time I spent working for Mad Maps helping to design their Florida scenic ride maps.  

Doing research for both those projects I discovered the Florida Scenic Highway Program. It was started in 1996 and is similar to the National Scenic Byway program that the Department of Transportation operates. That program began in 1991 as a means to give recognition to some of the more scenic but less traveled roads across the country in an effort to spur tourism and economic development. This was an attempt to undo some of the effects of the national interstate highway system. Those multi-lane, high speed, no traffic signal highways allowed travelers to cover more miles in less time than ever before. That convenience came with a cost. Small towns and businesses along the old highways and state roads that were dependent on the travelers struggled to survive. Travel the famous Route 66 now and you’ll find abandoned business, tourist attractions, and even a few ghost towns. The new Service Centers along the interstates offered everything a traveler needed at one location. 

For those of us who aren’t in any particular hurry to get somewhere, the Florida Scenic Highways are a salvation. Presently there are 27 stretches of roadway that have been designated. Of those, six of them also carry the National Scenic Byway badge and two of them, the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway and the Florida Keys Scenic Highway, have qualified as All American Roads, which is the top scenic highway crown. This honor is reserved for roadways that are a destination unto themselves and if you’ve toured on either of these roads, you’ll likely agree.   

 What makes a stretch of road qualify at the state level?  The Florida Scenic Highway website says it should be a “public road that has been designated through an official government agency declaration to protect and promote its special cultural, historic, archaeological,recreational, natural, and scenic resources”. While it doesn’t say “guaranteed to put a smile on a motorcyclist’s face”, it could. 

One very cool aspect of the program is that any person or group can nominate a road to be considered for designation. But it’s not a simple nor quick process. First, there’s the Eligibility Phase which includes forming a nomination committee and putting together a very detailed package that explains how this roadway meets the criteria for the program and showing that there is support for it from all of the municipalities involved. If it’s approved, the process moves onto the Implementation Phase. The road signs get installed and proclamations are made. But the work doesn’t end there. A Year One Work Plan must be followed and annual reports are required to ensure the roadway and its resources are properly maintained and promoted.

The state’s scenic highways can be found from the Keys to the Panhandle. They include some beautiful coastal rides as well as the hidden treasures of Florida’s interior. Two of them, the Bradenton Beach and J.C. Penney Memorial highways, are only 3 miles long. At 233 miles, the Indian River Lagoon is the longest. Most unusual designation goes to the Suncoast Scenic Parkway which, while scenic, is a four-lane toll road north of Tampa.