We review commission and committee agendas to highlight items we believe are important to the community. We’ve identified three important items at the upcoming Finance Committee meeting this Friday. The full agenda can be viewed here.
Item 13: Beachwalk Pedestrian Safety and Installation of Bollards and Signage
Item 16: Possibility of Creating a Parallel Path like Bal Harbour Village and Town of Surfside
Item 19: Discuss the status of the current Citi Bike contract…
In Miami Beach, the 7-mile long Beachwalk serves as a shared-use path that accommodates both bicyclists and pedestrians. Funded by a mix of local, county, and state monies, the path has increasingly become a subject of discussion regarding the safety and potential conflicts between these two groups. While the Beachwalk is designated as a shared-use path under Florida statutes, it’s crucial to note that there is currently no empirical data—such as crash statistics or speed collection—to substantiate the claims that the space presents safety concerns. To date, most of the concerns appear to be based on individual feelings and anecdotal observations rather than quantifiable evidence.
To address these issues, an upcoming committee meeting has scheduled two agenda items specifically focused on the Beachwalk.
Item 13: Beachwalk Pedestrian Safety and Installation of Bollards and Signage
Sponsored by Commissioner Laura Dominguez
Item 13 on the agenda proposes the installation of speed feedback signs along Miami Beach’s 7-mile Beachwalk to address safety concerns. The cost per sign is estimated at $20,000, with proposed locations targeting high-traffic areas.
For full details, you can read the committee memo here.
Our Take
Before committing to the significant investment of approximately $20,000 per speed feedback sign, we suggest a more fiscally responsible approach: start with traditional speed limit signs. These can be installed at a fraction of the cost and could be an effective first step in mitigating speed-related conflicts between bicyclists and pedestrians.
Item 16: Possibility of Creating a Parallel Path like Bal Harbour Village and Town of Surfside
Sponsored by Commissioner Alex Fernandez
Item 16 proposes to move bicyclists and other wheeled users to alternate routes, possibly including surfaces like the sand, to mitigate conflicts with pedestrians on the 7-mile long Beachwalk in Miami Beach.
For full details, you can read the committee memo here.
Our Take
We have significant concerns regarding the proposal to move bicyclists onto potentially less ideal surfaces. The Beachwalk was constructed at an estimated cost of nearly $50 million and, to date, there hasn’t been empirical data to support a true conflict necessitating such a drastic measure.
Instead of duplicating a resource-intensive project that has taken decades to build, we suggest focusing on expanding the on-street bicycle network, as outlined in the adopted Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transportation Master Plans. Redirecting resources to duplicate the Beachwalk serves as a distraction and could potentially misallocate the limited resources currently earmarked by the commission for the Transportation and Mobility Department.
Item 19: Discuss the status of the current Citi Bike contract, including contract period of performance, plans for renewal of the contract or plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a similar bike program, revenue generated to the City of Miami Beach from the contract, and other related matters the committee wishes to discuss and review
Sponsored by Vice-Mayor David Richardson
A discussion item, likely with a recommendation, on the upcoming expiration of the city’s bike-share contract is on the agenda. Key points may include the contract’s period of performance, plans for renewal, and generated revenue for the City of Miami Beach. The administration recommends extending the contract on a month-to-month basis until a new RFP can be issued, which is anticipated for October 18, 2023.
For full details, you can read the committee memo here.
Our Take:
Citi Bike, Miami Beach’s bike-sharing program, has seen rides plateau at around 1.7 million annually for the past five years, excluding the 2020 pandemic. This trend indicates that it’s time for an overhaul of this essential public service. Beyond mere transportation, Citi Bike serves a larger role in alleviating Miami Beach’s mobility challenges. By updating and expanding the program, we can accelerate our mode shift goals, offer residents and visitors an alternative to cars or ride-shares, reduce traffic congestion, and cut down on parking space needs, among other benefits.
What You Can Do
- Attend the Meeting: The Commission Finance Committee meeting is open to the public. The Commission Chambers have been temporarily located to the Convention Center. Directions to attend meetings are available here.
- Voice Your Opinion: The Finance Chair does not allow public comment during the meeting. However, you can write to the Committee members and key City Staff on these issues.
- Commissioner David Richardson, Chair
Commissioner Alex Fernandez, Vice-Chair
Commissioner Ricky Arriola, Member
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Alternate
Aliana Hudak, City Manager
Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager, Transportation and Public Works
Jose Gonzalez, Director of Transportation and Mobility
Joe Gomez, Director of Public Works
Jason Greene, Committee Liaison - DavidRichardson@miamibeachfl.gov
Alex@miamibeachfl.gov
RickyArriola@miamibeachfl.gov
KristenRosenGonzalez@miamibeachfl.gov
JasonGreene@miamibeachfl.gov
AlinaHudak@miamibeachfl.gov
RickelleWilliams@miamibeachfl.gov
JoseGonzalez@miamibeachfl.gov
- Commissioner David Richardson, Chair
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on our website for updates on these items and others that affect mobility and public transit in Miami Beach.