Aug 4th, 2010
by Tony Garcia.
Thanks to Commissioner Gimenez’ staff for forwarding along this update on the Commodore bike trail from Esther Calas, P.E., Director, Miami-Dade Public Works Department, along with the renderings below of the new proposed bridge crossing at Cocoplum Circle.
The Commodore trail is a continuous, primarily off-road bicycle/pedestrian facility within the designated Bike Route 1 which parallels the following corridors within the limits of the City of Miami:
- Douglas Road to Main Highway
- Main Highway to McFarlane Road
- McFarlane Road to South Bayshore Drive
- South Bayshore Drive to Aviation Avenue
The project consists of reconstructing portions of the trail to meet current design standards by providing a 10’ bikepaths and minimum of 6’ grass strip separating the path from the travel lanes. This is a minimum width for a paved two-way path minimizing the risk of bicycle-bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian collisions, and absolute minimum width of clear zone from the edge of the travel lane for local roads without curb & gutter.
However, there are segments of the trail where the existing path does not meet design standards because of insufficient right-of-way, presence of existing coral walls or in order to preserve big banyan trees. These areas, where the minimum path width and the minimum width of clear zone cannot be provided are considered exception areas. Therefore, the scope of work for these substandard portions of the shared use path includes only resurfacing of the bikepath. Additionally, in these exception areas, warning signs will be installed advising that the bikeway narrows. Furthermore, “No Parking/Bikepath” signs will be installed to avoid people parking on the existing trail. Finally, the bikepath will be identified with appropriate signage throughout the limits of the project.
The pedestrian/bicycle path will increase the efficiency of cycling as a mode of transportation, will reduce traffic congestion on existing roads and will provide recreational opportunity for Miami-Dade residents and visitors.
The project is in its final design stage. Pending are permit approvals from the environmental agencies for the proposed pedestrian bridge over Coral Gables Waterway along with execution of temporary construction easements by the City of Coral Gables. The project is expected to be bid for construction in October 2010 and construction is expected to start in November 2010.
Posted in: Uncategorized.
Tagged: Commodore Tail
Aug 2nd, 2010
by Kathryn Moore.
On August 1, 2007, the Minneapolis freeway bridge collapsed, killing thirteen, injuring 145 and leaving many more with the emotional scars of the experience. Blamed on integral design flaws compounded by years of neglect on the part of engineers and surveyors, the story jolted Americans into a debate on our national funding priorities. People who never before considered how roads and bridges were built were talking about the need to invest in our public transportation infrastructure. Eclipsed by the economic downturn and other issues of national concern, the debate returns to national media headlines one night each year.
photo from edf.org
Must we wait for another tragedy before we get serious about investing in better, more sustainable transportation facilities for America?
Transportation advocates have been pressuring Congress to take a hard look at our failing bridges and ‘fix it first’, but none of our elected leaders had the chutzpah to push for this language in the stimulus package. (See a map of Florida/US bridges that would have been prioritized under such a law). As many TransitMiami.com readers know, the 395 bridges that connect Interstate 95 with the Macarthur Causeway are also ‘structurally deficient.’ (As of December 2007, 447 of Florida’s bridges were ‘structurally deficient.’) FDOT has since been investigating the most affordable way to make necessary improvements to the corridor that severed Overtown decades ago in the interest of connecting South Beach directly with Downtown and the airport.
Transit Miami reflects a belief that civic responsibility calls on us to follow these developments. Our country bears the burden of all kinds of financial obligations. Transportation is frequently sidelined by the debates on bailouts, wars, unions and taxes. At the end of the day, however, it is one thing that we are all dependent on. For this country to keep moving, we need the infrastructure to take us there.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts on TransitMiami.com.
Posted in: Bridge, Fedral transportation policy, Infrastructure.
Jul 22nd, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
The word on the livable street is that FDOT will begin a major resurfacing project on Brickell Avenue early next year. Brickell Avenue will be resurfaced from SE 25th Road to SE 5th Street (approximately 1.5 miles).
This is an excellent opportunity for FDOT to shows its commitment to livable streets. Brickell Avenue is one of the most densely populated and pedestrianized areas in all of Florida; it is a destination, not a thoroughfare, therefore it needs to be designed in such a way that speeding is discouraged.
The current design plans for this project call for the same 11 foot travel lanes, no bicycle facilities, and improved crosswalks. This project will come under close scrutiny of Transit Miami (we have high expectations). If you have any suggestions for FDOT, please use the comments section. We really need everyone’s help on this one. Together we can make Brickell Avenue a safe place for people to walk, bike and drive.
Posted in: Bicycle Infrastructure, Brickell, FDOT, Pedestrian, Pedestrian Activity, Pedestrians.
Jul 19th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Just wanted to spread the good word about 311. If you notice something that is broken, needs repair, or requires general maintenance please call 311. The county tracks all complaints and usually addresses reported issues within 2 weeks.
Miami Dade County 311 will soon launch a smartphone application too. We will let our readers know once it has been released.
Posted in: Uncategorized.
Jul 19th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Source: Huffingtonpost.com
Kudos to the Germans, they shut down 37-miles of the Autobahn between Duisburg and Dortmund. The result: 3 million people turned out amid fine weather, one million of them with their bicycles. The highway, which crosses North Rhine-Westphalia state, is normally one of Europe’s busiest. Check out more pictures here.
If the Germans can shut down a major highway for six hours, I don’t see why we can’t close a lane of traffic on the Rickenbacker Causeway on weekend mornings for a few hours.
Posted in: Bicycles, Open Streets.
Jul 18th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
I had to stop to talk to Lance yesterday. Lance was born with out legs and it doesn’t seem to bother him. He casually told me “I never had legs, so I don’t know what its like to have them”. He’s completed multiple marathons using his skateboard and trains on the Rickenbacker Causeway. Unfortunately, he could not train on the Rickenbacker Causeway yesterday because a big tree was knocked down a few days ago during a storm, blocking the bicycle path and his access to train.
Its difficult enough being a healthy pedestrian on Brickell, I can only imagine how Lance must feel. Lance should be an inspiration for all of us.
Posted in: ADA, Pedestrian, Pedestrian Activity, Pedestrians.
Jul 17th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Posted in: Uncategorized.
Jul 17th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Unscientific Transit Miami research says “yes”. On my morning ride today, I decided to count cyclists and cars during 5 minute periods. If you may recall, I shot a five minute video a few weeks ago and I counted about 180 cyclists. Here are the results of today’s handle bar research:
| Number of Bikes and Cars Counted in 5 Minutes on the Rickenbacker Causeway |
|
|
|
| Bike count #1 |
124 |
| Bike count #2 |
153 |
| Bike count #3 |
87 |
Average # of bikes in 5 minute period
|
121 |
|
|
| Car count #1 |
87 |
| Car count #2 |
128 |
| Car Count #3 |
101 |
| Average # of cars in 5 minute period |
105 |
It seems that bicycles alone outnumber cars. I did not count pedestrians, but there were a lot of them out there. I think it would be fair to assume that pedestrians and bicyclists outnumber cars on the Rickenbacker Causeway on weekend mornings.
So when is the county going to start closing down a lane of traffic on the weekends for pedestrians and cyclists to exercise safely? I don’t have the answer to that question, but I can say with all confidence, this initiative is long overdue.
Posted in: Bicycles, Bikes, Pedestrian Activity, Pedestrians, Rickenbacker Causeway.
Jul 17th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
I came upon two separate bike accidents on the Rickenbacker Causeway this morning. Both cyclists did not appear to be seriously injured, and I don’t believe cars were involved in either accident. Both accidents occurred in the south bound bike lane/shoulder; the first accident occurred on the William Powel Bridge and the second one near Crandon Park.
Luckily no one was seriously injured, but the margin for error here is very small. With cars whizzing by at 45-55 mph someone could have easily been killed today.
A special thanks to Miami-Fire Rescue, MDPD and MPD.
Posted in: Bicycles, Rickenbacker Causeway.
Jul 17th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Check out Pimco’s June 2010 US Commercial Real Estate Project. Looks like there will continue to be trouble ahead. U.S. consumers have curbed their unsustainable spending habits and increased their savings rate. Continued high employment will also help drag down CRE. According to this report, we may not see peak 2007 prices again until 2020.
Certain retail properties could also struggle in the New Normal. Many retail properties built in anticipation of large housing development will simply suspend operations, because sustained reductions in the home ownership rate mean that many planned housing developments will not restart for years.”
Posted in: Real Estate, Suburban Sprawl.
Jul 16th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Source: http://sdotblog.seattle.gov
Miami Dade County has about $1,000,000 to invest on bicycle infrastructure improvements. Sharrows are a great option, especially when the roadway isn’t wide enough to accommodate a bicycle lane. Please contact Collin Worth, (305-416-1022) Bicycle Coordinator for the City of Miami, and let him know where you would like to see sharrows. There is a caveat; the speed limit of the road must be less than 35 mph for sharrows to be considered and it must be on a city or county road, however it cannot be a state road.
The County Public Works Department has approved the use of sharrows, FDOT on the other hand has not. Please send Gus Pego, District 6 secretary, an email and ask FDOT to approve the use of sharrows immediately on state roads.
You can also leave your suggestions in the comments section.
Posted in: Bicycle Infrastructure.
Jul 14th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Posted in: Public Transit.
Jul 14th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
While riding my bike through Belle Meade today, I spotted this unusual traffic calming device.
This is an effective instrument to discourage speeding. It is unusual, funny, and motorists easily take notice. Sadly, about an hour later, it was removed. Hmm…is one of my neighbors practicing guerilla urbanism? I sure hope so!
Posted in: Guerilla Urbanism, Traffic Calming.
Jul 14th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
| July 17, 2010 |
| 9:00 am | to | 7:00 pm |
| July 18, 2010 |
| 9:00 am | to | 6:00 pm |
The South Florida Bike Expo takes place this weekend and supposedly it will be the largest expo and sale of bicycles and bicycle accessories in South Florida’s history.
The South Florida Bicycle Coalition will also be there spreading the bike gospel. Please stop by and say “hello”. SFBC is looking for volunteers, so if you are interested in helping out for a couple of hours on Sunday please send me an email. For what it’s worth, the event promoter has promised the SFBC a good view of the large screen showing Stages 13 and 14 of the Tour!
The event will take place this Saturday from 9:00am to7:00pm and on Sunday from 9:00am to 6:00pm at the War Memorial Auditorium in Ft. Lauderdale. Admission is free.
Posted in: Bicycles, Calendar, South Florida Bicycle Coalition.
Jul 13th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
| July 15, 2010 |
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Well folks, yours truly, is moving from Brickell to Belle Mead. I’ve just purchased a home with my wife and we should be moving into the neighborhood in a couple of weeks. So don’t be surprised to hear a lot more about issues affecting the Upper East Side on this blog.
I’ll start by saying this, “Biscayne Boulevard is a disaster”! There ain’t no two ways about it. The recent FDOT resurfacing project, for the most part, was designed solely to move cars faster. Pedestrians and cyclists were not given much consideration while designing this roadway. I consider myself an experienced cyclist, but even I will tell you to avoid riding your bike on Biscayne Boulevard. And if you are a pedestrian then forget about it, crosswalks are few and far in between and of poor quality. Biscayne Boulevard is extremely wide, making it difficult for anyone that is not in tip-top shape to cross the street.
Travel lanes are extremely wide, which encourages cars to speed. The speed limit is 35mph, but the design speed of the roadway is closer to 45-50mph. Needless to say, not pedestrian or cyclist friendly either.
That being said, we have a chance to ask FDOT to design a roadway at a more human scale.
FDOT is conducting a Pedestrian Mobility and Safety Study along Biscayne Boulevard at the request of area residents. The limits of the project extend from NE 77th Street to NE 87th Street.
Possible upgrade include the restriping of crosswalks for greater visibility, enhancing signals and adding traffic control devices to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the road.
A public information meeting is being held on Thursday, July 15, 2010 from 6-8 p.m at Legion Memorial Park, located at NE 7 Ave, Miami, FL for more information contact Gus Pego, District 6 Secretary”.
Hope to see you there!
Posted in: Belle Meade, Bicycles, Biscayne Boulevard, Calendar, Crosswalk, FDOT, Mimo, Pedestrians, Upper East Side, bike lanes, biking.
