6.2: Improve streets and bus stops for bike and pedestrian safety

Issue Statement and Context

By prioritizing speed in our street design, we are faced with potentially dangerous conditions for both walkers and bikers. In addition to safety concerns, this decreases equity throughout our community. In many cases, our infrastructure is not sufficiently serving members of our disability community.

Studies show that “older adults, people of color, and people walking in low-income communities are disproportionately represented in fatal crashes involving people walking – even after controlling for differences in population size and walking rates” Dangerous by Design, 2021. Improving safety and comfort for walkers and bikers is a top priority, including those waiting for public transit. These deaths and injuries are unacceptable and preventable.

Kids riding bike. — *Ride your bike to work day event hosted by Bike305*

Miami-Dade was identified as the fourth most dangerous metropolitan area in the nation for pedestrians in 2016. Since then, we have been working to increase infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Mayors Challenge for Safer People, Safer Streets. Improvements to transit infrastructure are outlined in our Complete Streets Design Guidelines, including better bus stops, protected bike lanes, and wide, elevated sidewalks.

Relatedly, the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's (PROS)’s Growing Green Bus Stop program aims to shade unsheltered bus stops in line with the Safer People Safer Streets initiative and Vision Zero, a plan that includes the development of infrastructure that prioritizes cyclists and pedestrians over cars and aims to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by the year 2030.

Detailed Action Summary

Change the Complete Streets Design Guidelines to better accommodate pedestrians.

- Ensure design guideline changes are embedded into Department of Transportation and Public Works’ (DTPW) 5-year plan.
- Empanel an Action Committee to review the guidelines and make recommendations.
- Include protected bike lanes where feasible.
- Institute regular polling and surveying of bike riders and pedestrians to gauge satisfaction with current infrastructure and success of projects once implemented.

6.2: Improve streets and bus stops for bike and pedestrian safety

Issue Statement and Context

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Detailed Action Summary

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