Resolution 2022-32298 RESOLUTION NO. 2022-32298 ,
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
ADMINISTRATION AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD
QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE,AT ITS JULY 27,2022 MEETING,TO MODIFY
THE CURRENT BEACHWALK SAFETY PILOT PROGRAM, FROM 15TH TO
24TH STREET, CONSISTING OF A SOLID WHITE. LINE MARKING ALONG
THE APPROXIMATE CENTERLINE OF THE BEACHWALK, WITH
DIRECTIONAL ARROWS AND SYMBOLS/SIGNS ON BOTH SIDES, GUIDING
ALL USERS TO KEEP RIGHT WHILE WALKING AND BIKING.
WHEREAS, the City's beachwalk is a highly utilized shared-use path that serves
recreational and work trips throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, its popularity coupled with its constrained width contributes to frequent
conflicts among pedestrians, bicyclists, and other users; and
WHEREAS, an additional concern for residents as well as the Administration is the
intermixing of pedestrians and unauthorized motorized/electric devices, including electric stand-
up scooters, electric bikes, and electric skateboards, among other motorized devices operating
illegally on the beachwalk; and
WHEREAS, although Section 70-67 of the City Code prohibits motorized means of
transportation on the beachwalk, among other pedestrian facilities throughout the City, the
growing popularity of these electric devices poses a concern for pedestrians and an enforcement
challenge for Police; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the recommendation of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life
Committee (NQLC), at its March 4, 2020 meeting, various City departments, including Police,
Communications, Property Management, and Transportation and Mobility, collaborated to
develop a holistic approach to address the pedestrian safety concern on the beachwalk through
better signage and enhanced enforcement; and
WHEREAS, this effort resulted in the installation of 142 new regulatory signs along the
beachwalk and at all beachwalk entrance points to assist Police and Park Rangers with enforcing
applicable provisions of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, in addition,the City installed 70 advisory signs along the beachwalk to advise
users that the area is a pedestrian-friendly zone where permitted/non-motorized devices such as
bicycles, skates, and skateboards must slow down and yield to pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, in March 2021, the Miami Beach Police Department initiated a daily
beachwalk pedestrian safety detail entitled "Clear Path". Since the beginning of 2022, Police
Officers and Park Rangers have conducted regular enforcement of the beachwalk, including
enforcement of Section 70-67 of the City code prohibiting motorized means of transportation on
the beachwalk; and
WHEREAS, at the July 21, 2021 NQLC meeting, to further enhance pedestrian safety on
the beachwalk, Transportation and Mobility Department staff presented a preliminary concept for
a potential pilot project, consisting of segregating cyclists and pedestrians, through striping and
signage along a typical 15' wide section of the beachwalk between 15th Street and 24th Street;
and
WHEREAS, since the onset of the initial pilot program in late May, 2022, the
Transportation and Mobility Department staff has conducted field observations, reviewed user
feedback, and collected and analyzed data, including volumes of pedestrians and bicyclists
traveling along the pilot segment and user compliance with the implemented demarcations and
signage during the pilot program; and
WHEREAS, pedestrian and bicycle volumes were evaluated for three consecutive days
(May 31 to June 2), at three locations(15th, 20th, and 21 St streets), during both morning peak(7AM
—9AM) and afternoon peak (5PM —7PM) hours; and
WHEREAS, the data showed a 60% higher usage in the afternoon as compared to the
morning hours, and for both morning and afternoon peak periods, the data showed that the
volume of pedestrians is three times greater than the number of bicyclists, and that pedestrians
frequently intruded into the bicycle space (and vice-versa); and
WHEREAS, user feedback was overwhelmingly negative; and
WHEREAS, at the July 27, 2022 Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life
Committee (PSNQLC) meeting, the Administration provided an update on the pilot program; and
WHEREAS, while the original goal of the pilot program was to achieve the separation of
pedestrians and bicyclists on the beachwalk, data analysis and field observations conducted by
the City staff concluded that separation between the modes is not viable due to the high amount
of pedestrians and bicyclists traveling in opposing directions within a constrained space, as well
as user expectations and behavior; and
WHEREAS, in light of staff's analysis, observations, and user feedback, presented at the
July 27,2022 PSNQLC meeting,the Administration recommended discontinuing the pilot program
and implementing a modified pilot configuration, from 15th Street to 24th Street, consisting of a
solid white line marking along the approximate centerline of the beachwalk,with directional arrows
and signs on both sides, guiding all users to keep right while walking and biking; and
WHEREAS, while the recommended modified configuration will not achieve the original
goal of mode separation, City staff believes that it is more intuitive and will provide a better
configuration for pedestrians and bicyclists to share the same space while traveling in the same
direction, in that, the recommended configuration relies on the basic rules of the road, where
slower traffic stays to the right and faster traffic passes on the left; and
WHEREAS, to supplement the painted markings, staff will install contextual signage in
accordance with the recommended pilot configuration; and
WHEREAS, the PSNQLC approved the Administration's recommendation by
acclamation; and
WHEREAS, the signage and pavement markings associated with the prior pilot program
were removed on August 24, 2022; and
WHEREAS, staff is finalizing the design of the contextual signage to be implemented as
part of the proposed new pilot program; and
WHEREAS, once approved by the City Commission,the Administration will implement the
modified pilot program within four (4) weeks, and will continue to monitor user compliance and
evaluate its effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, any further modifications to the modified pilot program will be communicated
to the Mayor and City Commission via Letter to Commission (LTC).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby accept the recommendation of the Administration and the Public Safety and
Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, at its July 27, 2022 meeting, to modify the current
beachwalk safety pilot program, from 15th to 24th Street, consisting of a solid white line marking
along the approximate centerline of the beachwalk, with directional arrows and symbols/signs on
both sides, guiding all users to keep right while walking and biking.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 14th day of September 2022.
ATTEST:
Dan Gelber, Mayor
���\1\111111111
Rafael E. ranado, City Clerk P1
tIN[ORP ORATED`
SEP 2 1 2022
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
cl
City Attorney `Io Date
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Mana';- k `\
DATE: September 14, 2022
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT
ITS JULY 27, 2022 MEETING, APPROVING THE ADMINISTRATION'S
RECOMMENDATION TO MODIFY THE CURRENT BEACHWALK SAFETY
PILOT PROGRAM FROM 15 TO 24 STREET AS PER ATTACHMENT B,
CONSISTING OF A WHITE SOLID LINE ALONG THE APPROXIMATE
CENTERLINE OF THE BEACHWALK WITH DIRECTIONAL ARROWS AND
SYMBOLS/SIGNS ON BOTH SIDES GUIDING ALL USERS TO KEEP RIGHT
WHILE WALKING AND BIKING.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND
The City's beachwalk is a highly utilized shared-use path that serves recreational and work trips
throughout the City. It is the public trail with the highest volume of activity in Florida; however,its
popularity coupled with its constrained width contributes to frequent conflicts among pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other users. An additional concern for residents as well as the Administration is
the intermixing of pedestrians and unauthorized motorized/electric devices, including electric
stand-up scooters, electric bikes, and electric skateboards, among other motorized devices
operating illegally on the beachwalk. Although Section 70-67 of the City Code prohibits motorized
means of transportation on the beachwalk, among other pedestrian facilities throughout the City,
the growing popularity of these electric devices poses a concern for pedestrians and an
enforcement challenge for Police.
Pursuant to the recommendation of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) at
its March 4, 2020 meeting, various city departments, including Police, Communications, Property
Management, and Transportation and Mobility, collaborated to develop a holistic approach to
address the pedestrian safety concern on the beachwalk through better signage and enhanced
enforcement. This effort resulted in the installation of 142 new regulatory signs along the
beachwalk and at all beachwalk entrance points to assist Police and Park Rangers with enforcing
applicable provisions of the City Code. In addition, the City installed 70 advisory signs along the
beachwalk to advise users that the area is a pedestrian-friendly zone where permitted/non-
motorized devices such as bicycles, skates, and skateboards must slow down and yield to
pedestrians.
In March 2021,the Miami Beach Police Department initiated a daily beachwalk pedestrian safety
detail entitled "Clear Path". Since the beginning of 2022, Police Officers and Park Rangers have.
conducted regular enforcement of the beachwalk, including enforcement of Section 70-67 of the
City code prohibiting motorized means of transportation on the beachwalk.
At the July 21, 2021 NQLC meeting, to further enhance pedestrian safety on the beachwalk,
Transportation and Mobility Department staff presented a preliminary concept for a potential pilot
project consisting of segregating cyclists and pedestrians through striping and signage along a
typical 15'wide section of the beachwalk between 15 Street and 24 Street(Attachment A).
At the July 27, 2022 PSNQLC meeting, the Administration provided an update on the pilot
program. While the original goal of the pilot program was to achieve the separation of pedestrians
and bicyclists on the beachwalk, data analysis and field observations conducted by the City staff
concluded that separation between the modes is not viable due to the high amount of pedestrians
and bicyclists traveling in opposing directions within a constrained space, as well as user
expectations and behavior. In light of staffs analysis, observations, and user feedback, the
Administration recommended discontinuing the pilot and implementing a modified pilot
configuration from 15 Street to 24 Street consisting of a white solid line along the approximate
centerline of the beachwalk with directional arrows and signs on both sides guiding all users to
keep right while walking and biking (Attachment B). While the recommended modified
configuration will not achieve the original goal of mode separation, staff believes that it is more
intuitive and will provide a better configuration for pedestrians and bicyclists to share the same
space while traveling in the same direction. The recommended configuration relies on the basic
rules of the road where slower traffic stays to the right and faster traffic passes on the left. To
supplement the painted markings, staff will install contextual signage in accordance with the
recommended pilot configuration. The PSNQLC approved the Administration's recommendation
by acclamation.
ANALYSIS
Since the onset of the initial pilot program, Transportation and Mobility Department staff has
conducted field observations, reviewed user feedback,and collected and analyzed data, including
volumes of pedestrians and bicyclists traveling along the pilot segment and user compliance with
the pilot demarcation (i.e. number of pedestrians encroaching into the bicycle space and number
of bicyclists encroaching into the pedestrian space).
Pedestrian and bicycle volumes were evaluated for three consecutive days (May 31 to June 2),
at three locations (15th, 20th, and 21st streets), during both morning peak (7AM — 9AM) and
afternoon peak (5PM — 7PM). The data showed a 60% higher usage in the afternoon as
compared to the morning hours. For both morning and afternoon peak periods,the data showed
that the volume of pedestrians is three times greater than the number of bicyclists and that
pedestrians frequently intruded into the bicycle space (and vice-versa). User feedback was
overwhelmingly negative.
CONCLUSION
In light of staffs analysis, observations, and user feedback, at the July 27, 2022 PSNQLC
meeting, the Administration recommended discontinuing the pilot and implementing a modified
pilot configuration from 1.5 Street to 24 Street consisting of a white solid line along the centerline
of the beachwalk with directional arrows and symbols/signs on both sides guiding all users to
keep right while walking and biking. The PSNQLC approved the Administration's
recommendation by acclamation.
The signage and pavement markings associated with the prior pilot program were removed on
August 24, 2022. Staff,is finalizing the design of the contextual signage to be implemented as
part of the new pilot program. Subject to City Commission approval of this Resolution, the
Administration will implement the modified pilot within four(4)weeks and will continue to monitor
user compliance and evaluate the effectiveness of the modified pilot program. Any further
modifications to the pilot program will be communicated to the Mayor and City Commission via
Letter to Commission (LTC).
STRATEGIC CONNECTION
Improve the walking and biking experience.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
According to the 2022 Miami Beach Resident Survey, the second most important capital
improvement project type is more walking/biking friendly streets, greenways, and paths (56.8%).
According to the same survey, 56.5% of residents walk as one of their primary modes of
transportation within the City, and for 27.8% of residents, walking is the primary mode of getting
around within the City. For 25%of residents surveyed, biking was one of the top three most viable
alternatives to using a car for trips within the City. -
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for the recommended modified pilot project is included in the Transportation and.Mobility
Department's FY 2021/2022 Operating Budget.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Account number: 106-9615-000349-30-403-529-00-00-00-
ATTACHMENTS:
A: Initial pilot project configuration and contextual signage
B: Recommended modified pilot project configuration and contextual signage
Attachment A Current Bea h alk Pilot Typical Section
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NO MOTORIZED MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
All Miami Beach Police Department Officers are authorized representatives of this property. MIAMI B EAC H
Pursuant to Chapter 70,Article II,Division 2,Miami Beach City Code and Chapter 316,Fla.Stat. www.:^'orr:beach9.goi
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