Moving Together, Faster
On the bike ride to work this morning I stopped to snap a couple of photos. The first displays the Miami Arena on its way out. The second, the once beautiful and ‘coulda been saved if the political will was there, ala Coppertone Girl and Marine Stadium,’ East Coast Fisheries building on the Miami River.
As I bicycle around downtown it sometimes seems this city has had almost as many buildings knocked down as put up in recent years. Some had to go, but others… alas, another day, another demo.
Reporter Andres Viglucci wrote a nice piece chronicling the City’s growing commitment to becoming a bicycle friendly city. He writes:
Whether it’s out of fear of getting crushed by two tons of speeding metal, the clueless motorists or the near-total lack of bike lanes, Miamians have long been notoriously bike-averse.
So what’s a car-choked town to do if it wants to join a growing trend and foster safe cycling for recreation and transportation?
You do what the city of Miami — incredibly, perhaps — is starting to do.
First, you draw up a bike plan for the first time ever: identify suitable streets, create bike lanes and signage, provide bike parking and print up ”bike-friendly” maps.
And then, to show that people do want this, pick a day when main streets in the center of town can be closed to cars and turn them over to the citizenry to freely bike, walk, skate, jog, congregate.
Say, Sunday, Nov. 9.
To read more follow the link above, or hey, go old school and pick up a copy of tomorrow’s edition.
From the city of Miami, 2 great events going on this week - We hope to see you tomorrow night…
- Participants are expected to include Jaquelin “Jaque” Robertson founder of the New York City Urban Design Group, former Dean of the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture, and former advisor to former New York Mayor John Lindsay; National Endowment for the Arts’ Director of Design former Mayor of Charlottesville Maurice Cox; and former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Richard Swett, author of “Leadership by Design”. Swett was the only architect to serve in the United States Congress during in the 20th century where he represented New Hampshire’s 2nd district. Mayor Manny Diaz, a member of MICD’s National Advisory Council since 2005, is one of only a handful of mayors nationwide to have been invited to serve on the Institute’s Advisory Board in it’s 22-year history.
- The Broadway Fountain is the centerpiece of the South Miami Ave and SE 15th Road roundabout that is part of the overall South Miami Avenue Improvements Project. The Rilea Group, long recognized as one of Miami’s premier developers of residential and commercial real estate, is dedicating the $300,000 fountain to the City as part of its ongoing efforts to add value to Miami’s Brickell neighborhood through beautification. Since 1981, The Rilea Group has been involved in numerous developments in and around Miami’s urban core and financial district, including One Broadway, the Mellon Financial Center, and 1450 Brickell Avenue, which is currently under construction. The inauguration will mark the completion of the South Miami Avenue Improvements Project which encompasses pavement milling and resurfacing, curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk repair, ADA ramps, landscape upgrades, 5 feet bicycle lanes, construction of the roundabout and decorative lighting among other enhancements. The Project, which has garnered widespread support among area residents, runs along South Miami Avenue between SE 15 Road and SE 25 Road.
What do New York City, San Francisco, Portland have in common with Miami? Ah…not much you would say. The first three are revered as some of our country’s most progressive, sustainable and livable cities. But Miami? Well, the times they are ‘a changin’.
Enter BikeMiami.
Last December I wrote an op-ed to the Miami Herald urging city officials to make a Miami more bicycle-friendly. I wrote because the pure lack of attention being paid to bicyclists represented a larger issue. Miami was choosing not to compete as a 21st century city. Although bicycle-friendliness does not encompass all things livable in a city, those cities who have pursued such a noble goal are those that tend to be the most livable. As a result, they are capable of outperforming others in the pursuit of new talent, investment and sustainability — a buzzword if I have ever heard one.
One of the items that I mentioned in said op-ed was Bogota’s Ciclovia, an event that closes 70km of city streets and hands them over to what makes a city work, it’s people. The shear success of Ciclovia — with thousands of bicyclists, pedestrians, joggers etc. participating every Sunday — has had a catalytic effect on how North American cities are starting to view their own streets. In many respects, Bogota has become what Jane Jacobs calls a ‘pattern city.’ That is, a city that inspires other cities to emulate its success.
Well, mark your calendar Miamians, because the City of Miami is closing several downtown streets for what is now being dubbed BIKEMIAMI. Sources close to Transit Miami confirm this landmark event will take place on Sunday, November 9th. The exact times have not been scheduled, but know that it will likely run from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Bicyclists, skaters, pedestrians, joggers, roller bladers, yoga fanatics and everyone else and their mother will be invited to come downtown and enjoy their city — without cars.
Ah, now maybe this will foster some civitas.
Keep in mind that all the details are still being worked out, but TM will be there every step of the way to report on updates and concurrent events as they become available.
A big thank you has to be bestowed upon the Bicycle Action Committee and those within the Mayor’s office who have made this little seed I planted grow into a reality. Also, please know the cooperation across City departments and with groups like the Miami DDA and the folks who run the ING Miami Marathon has been instrumental.
More to come…
In the meantime, check out StreetFilms‘ work documenting Ciclovia type events in the aforementioned cities. I think you will like what you see.
Spread the word.
Maybe we’ll put some magic back in this city yet.
The Green Mobility Network is a growing force in Miami-Dade bicycle and pedestrian advocacy.
The nascent organization was founded in July of 2007 by a few like-minded people, including founding member John Hopkins, who runs the most excellent Spokes ‘n Folks blog.
John says:
“Now’s the time, bicycle riders, to write a check or pledge some of your time to help Green Mobility Network improve South Florida riding conditions. We’ve done a lot on a shoestring over the past year — but to complete the job we need money for printing, phone bills and all the other expenses that even a volunteer group will incur on the way to success. Green Mobility’s treasurer is Tom Blazejack at 5890 SW 100th Terrace, Pinecrest, FL 33156.“
Because Green Mobility recently received their 501(c)3 designation, Tom is now accepting basic level memberships starting at $35. If you don’t have the cash on hand, let John or Tom know that you want to volunteer at an upcoming event, or start attending meetings. If you have more than $35, then go ahead and consider making a Founding Members gift. Your time and generosity will be appreciated by all Miami-Dade bicyclists and pedestrians. Having worked at a Bicycle not-for-profit in Boston, I know every little bit helps.
TM readers should know that Green Mobility Network has provided instrumental guidance on the City of Miami Bicycle Action Committee and the soon to be release Bicycle Action Plan, is helping to produce a new Bicycle-Friendly map, provides bicycle parking at major area and events, and are refurbishing their website to help better communicate their mission. Your support will help them further increase their advocacy and programs.
Please Join them, and us here at TM, in growing Miami’s bicycle movement. I’m writing my check this afternoon and so should you.
As some of you might know, Mike and I serve advisory roles in Miami’s newly created Bicycle Action Committee (BAC). The BAC is working on drafting a city of Miami Bicycle Master plan and is looking for any input our citizens wish to provide. You can download this city map, draw on it, and send back your ideas to us (movemiami@gmail.com) for committee review. You can also leave us comments or email us lists of potential bicycle routes, needed improvements, or any other suggestions. Here is your chance to shape a masterplan which will guide all bicycle related planning for years to come. I’m currently working on my version, which I will publish when complete and will finally get around to creating the Bicycle Rental plan I suggested to Alesh a while ago…
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