The first leg of Florida's coast-to-coast trail — which will eventually span from Pinellas to Brevard County — opened Thursday morning in the Tampa Bay area.

1st Bay area segment of the Coast to Coast bike trail opens today

Connector to stretch 250 miles across state

Click here for a list of the trail segments

The first completed segment of the coast to coast connector only stretches 5 miles, but will eventually take cyclists across the state. The segment takes riders from Tarpon Springs into Pasco County.

Jerry Coleman has ridden the newest 5 mile stretch and said he can’t wait for the rest.

“It’s very exciting to think that they’re spending the time and energy to do that for cyclists. It makes it safer, and it’s great for exercise, great for families, and great for cyclists,” Coleman said.

“I do about 110 miles a week — most of that on the weekend, like 30 miles on the weekend,” Kyle Keenan said. “It’s nice to be able to ride and not worry about traffic coming up on you and only worry about the intersections, so it’s great.”

Currently, the Pinellas Trail stretches 54 miles from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg. The state, along with the Department of Transportation and the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation, is working to connect all of the trails across the state — some 250 miles.

Coleman said these types of trails are just what Floridians need.

“Florida is one of the leading states that has cycling fatalities and accidents, and this is great to be able to see this and experience this, along with the nature. Today, we saw five deer and some fawn, so it’s really nice,” he said.

Officials said while constructing the trail, they took extra precautions to make sure wildlife wasn’t harmed. They used special fencing so that deer’s hooves won’t get stuck. Tortoises were also left on site and protected throughout construction.

Pinellas officials said the trail is also a huge ecotourism opportunity for the area and serves as an alternative transportation option.

The coast-to-coast connector segment was funded by the state legislature.