A grassroots initiative that has encouraged St. Petersburg residents and visitors to forego driving downtown since 2019 has a new moniker and mission.
Car-Free St. Pete is now Connect Pinellas, a newly established nonprofit. The change reflects the organization’s evolution from focusing on awareness to facilitating community-driven, small infrastructure projects that help improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Nicole Roberts, former program manager of Car-Free St. Pete and vice president of Connect Pinellas, noted the importance of expanding in a county that annually ranks among the state’s most dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. The new nonprofit celebrated its launch Sept. 21 by partnering with local organizations, including the Pinellas Run Club, to host the World Car-Free Day Beer Crawl…