This item is sponsored by Commissioner Ricky Arriola and was referred from the January 13, 2021 City Commission meeting.
Bicycle-Pedestrian Master Plan Update
In April 2016, the City Commission adopted the Bicycle-Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) and Street Design Guide as part of the adoption of the Transportation Master Plan. The BPMP is based on a 20-year implementation horizon and categorized projects into three priority levels. Since 2016, the Transportation & Mobility Department has focused on advancing 38 Priority 1 BPMP projects intended to close gaps in the current bicycle network and improve safety and comfort of existing facilities within five years of plan adoption (2016 – 2021).
In the last update transmitted via LTC # 219-2020 dated June 22, 2020, the status of BPMP Priority 1 projects was as follows:
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mobility needs of the community have shifted and the demand for bicycle facilities has increased as more residents are biking and walking on a daily basis. During the pandemic, staff has concentrated on the implementation of various pilot projects and quick-build projects to improve bicycle facilities and promote green mobility while enhancing the economic resilience of the City. These quick-build projects have resulted in increases not only in bicycle and pedestrian volumes but also in economic activity. As of February 2021, the status of Priority 1 BPMP projects is as follows:
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In planning (8) – 8.8 miles
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In design (18) – 8.25 miles
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In construction (4) – 2.1 miles
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Completed (4) – 13.55 miles
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Quick-build/pilot projects (4) – 7.55 miles
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Not yet started (2) – 0.86 miles
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Found not feasible following analysis - 3
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% of BPMP Priority 1 projects underway (in various phases of development) or completed – 88%
Below are key bicycle facility projects that have progressed since the June 22, 2020 update:
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West Avenue Protected Bike Lanes – the City has striped a temporary bike lane between 16 Street and Lincoln Road. This is an important link connecting the mainland and the Art Deco Cultural District via the Venetian Causeway, West Avenue, and 16 Street.
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Venetian Causeway Protected Bike Lanes – staff completed design drawings for a protected bike lane within Miami Beach city limits and worked with the County for approval. The County has prepared a design for protected bike lanes along the entire Venetian Causeway and expects to implement the project later this year.
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Meridian Avenue Protected Bike Lanes from 16 Street to Dade Boulevard – City completed the striping work associated with the lane elimination and bike lane and installed temporary protection via plastic delineators. The installation of green paint and Zicla bike lane protection devices is expected to occur this month.
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Meridian Avenue/28 Street Shared-Use Path from Dade Boulevard to Prairie Avenue – this project is part of the Bayshore neighborhood improvement project which has been paused; however, the City will move forward with the shared-use path component as a stand-alone project. Design has been completed and construction is expected to begin this year subject to funding appropriation.
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63 Street Protected Bike Lanes –City has finalized a concept for protected bike lanes through a lane elimination which FDOT has approved for inclusion in the future Alton Road project. This is the first lane repurposing project that FDOT approves in Miami-Dade County.
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Euclid Avenue Buffered Bike Lanes – Miami-Dade County has approved the design plans and the City expects to commence construction in March 2021.
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Indian Creek Drive from 26 Street to 41 Street Bike Lanes – City worked with FDOT to obtain approval for installation of bike lane protection. FDOT is evaluating the use of Zicla bike lane protection devices. If approved, this will be the first installation of its kind on a state road.
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23 Street/22 Street Protected Bike Lanes – City is at 30% design development. Design and permitting is anticipated to take an additional 10 months.
While not a master plan project, the City is finalizing construction of the first green bicycle box in Miami-Dade County at the intersection of West Avenue and 17 Street. This project is expected to be completed in February 2021. In addition, the City expects to complete construction of 1.5 miles of protected green bike lanes on Euclid Avenue, 72 Street, and 73 Street in spring 2021.
The City has also implemented quick-build/pilot projects to enhance the bicycle network. It is worth highlighting that the two projects below are “firsts” in our County:
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Washington Avenue Parking-Protected Bike Lanes, Road Diet and Parklets (0.95 miles)– as of December 2020, this project had resulted in an increase of over 538 additional bicyclists per day along the corridor and an increase of 35% in business revenue as of January 2021 (based on data provided by the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District).
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Flamingo Park Neighborhood Slow Streets Program (5.6 miles) – City is installing aesthetic and contextual signs and flexible planters. The pilot has shown positive trends in the increase of bicycle and pedestrian volumes while decreasing cut-through traffic in the neighborhood (LTC # 012-2021).
Cambridge, MA Bicycle Safety Ordinance
A key component in the successful deployment of any master plan is the adoption of policy driving the implementation. In 2019, the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts adopted a Cycling Safety Ordinance (Attachment A). In essence, the ordinance mandates that the Cambridge Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction Plan include improvements to comply with the Cambridge Bicycle Plan. The ordinance provides that compliance with the plan is not required if the City Manager can demonstrate that the project is impractical or unfeasible due to physical features or financial constraints.
In October 2020, the City of Cambridge adopted an amendment to its Cycling Safety Ordinance (Attachment B) which introduces additional types of bicycle facilities and sets specific deadlines for the implementation of certain bicycle facilities on certain corridors. The ordinance amendment also directs the City Manager to implement quick-build separated bike lanes and temporary traffic control separated bike lanes at locations where permanent projects are not possible and to complete those quick-build/temporary bike lane projects within the stipulated deadlines. Project implementation deadlines can only be extended by the City Manager by one year following submission of a report detailing why the extension is necessary and subject to approval by the Cambridge City Council.