This item is sponsored by Commissioner Micky Steinberg and was referred by the City Commission on December 11, 2019 to the NQLC for discussion.  The item was discussed at the March 4, 2020 NQLC meeting wherein the Committee recommended that the Administration pursue strategies to improve pedestrian safety on the beachwalk and return to the September NQLC meeting with an update. 

Given the high amount of activity on the beachwalk, some residents have expressed concerns with safety due to conflicts with bicyclists, roller-skaters, skate boarders, and motorized devices.  As such, at the December 11, 2019 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Micky Steinberg referred a discussion item regarding pedestrian safety on the beachwalk to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee.

The Miami Beach beachwalk is one of the most popular shared-use paths in Miami-Dade County, generally located between abutting private properties on the west and the coastal dune system on the east and extending from South Pointe Park on the south to the city limit on the north.  The beachwalk is used daily by thousands of pedestrians, bicyclists, roller-skaters, and skate boarders for recreational and work-related trips.  The width of the beachwalk varies from 12 feet to 23 feet; however, most of the segments are limited to about 15 feet or less in width.

In 2012, via Ordinance No. 2012-3780, the City prohibited the use of personal electric assistive mobility devices (i.e. Segways) and other motorized means of transportation on the beachwalk, baywalk, cutwalk, and interior paths of certain parks.  The current rules and regulations on the beachwalk are enforced by the City’s police officers and park rangers.

The beachwalk has been constructed in segments over several years with funding provided by the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Transportation Alternatives grant program, a federally funded discretionary grant program.  Pursuant to the joint funding agreements executed between the City and FDOT for the construction of the beachwalk, the City cannot legally prohibit non-motorized vehicles, including bicycles, from using the shared-use facility.

UPDATE SINCE THE SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE (NQLC) MEETING

At the September 23, 2020 meeting, the NQLC recommended that staff proceed with the production and installation of the regulatory signs at beachwalk and baywalk entrances and advance the installation of the community-friendly advisory signs on the beachwalk and baywalk. The Committee also recommended that staff meet with Mr. Henry Stolar to review his recommendations for placement and provide an update at the December 2020 NQLC meeting.

Since the September 23, 2020 meeting, staff has completed the installation of the friendly signs throughout the entire beachwalk.  In addition, staff completed a comprehensive walkthrough of the entire beachwalk with Mr. Stolar and obtained his input and exchanged ideas over the placement of the signs.  Based on this input, staff revised the location of some signs and is currently finalizing installation.  Pursuant to the Committee’s request, once the proposed signs are installed, staff will track enforcement statistics and observe user behavior to gauge effectiveness of the signs and if further adjustments or action is warranted.  Attached is an updated signage map inclusive of resident input.

The Miami Beach Police Department deployed on-duty personnel on park and walk enforcement details throughout the beachwalk.  A 30-day watch order was put in place with motor officers deployed to specific “hotspots” and day shift bicycle officers patrolling the area at a minimum of three times per day.   No violations were observed and thus no citations given.  There were no additional complaints received regarding motorized vehicles on the beachwalk.

To mitigate the safety concerns of pedestrians using the beachwalk and baywalk, the City’s Transportation and Mobility Department staff explored delineating separate lanes for pedestrians and other uses.  Based on the existing beachwalk width, however, delineating lanes is not feasible as it would not meet the minimum width required by FDOT for either use.  For example, to delineate a two-way bike path, a minimum width of 10 feet for bicycles would be required.  With the high number of pedestrians using the beachwalk, a desired width of 12 feet would be desirable to delineate a two-way path for pedestrians.  Thus, a minimum width of 22 feet is desired to safely segregate pedestrians and bicyclists on the beachwalk.  Additionally, given the decorative pattern of the beachwalk pavers, pavement markings were considered but found to not be context-sensitive and, thus, are not recommended.

Pursuant to the NQLC’s recommendation at its March 4, 2020 meeting, various city departments, including Police, Communications, and Transportation and Mobility, coordinated to develop an approach to address the pedestrian safety concern on the beachwalk.  City staff visited the beachwalk during March and April 2020 to survey the existing signage and determine potential locations for additional signs and markings.  Based on staff’s field reviews, it was determined that additional signage was warranted.  An inventory of the existing signage was mapped to assist in the development of a comprehensive signage plan for the area.  The design of the community-friendly signs was shared with the Middle Beach Neighborhood Association at its June and July 2020 meetings.

At the September 23, 2020 NQLC meeting, the Transportation and Mobility Department staff presented a proposed signage plan.  The signage plan consists of regulatory signs to be installed at all entrances to the beachwalk and baywalk.  The proposed regulatory signs are similar to the ones currently posted along Lincoln Road which have proven effective in deterring motorized scooters from entering upon the pedestrian mall.  The signs depict specific electric/motorized mobility devices which are not permitted on the beachwalk or baywalk and reference the applicable section of the City Code (70-67).  Additionally, community-friendly advisory signs will be posted along the beachwalk and baywalk to advise users that the area is a pedestrian-friendly zone where users of permitted/non-motorized devices such as bicycles, skates, and skateboards, must slow down and yield to pedestrians.

The Administration is also exploring a safety/educational campaign in collaboration with hotels and condominiums along the beachwalk and baywalk.