Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Around the Block

Florida DOT Gets Much-Deserved Mockery for Failing to Make Bridges Safe for Cycling

12:26 PM EDT on July 31, 2017

Protection for cyclists on major urban bridges in Florida exists only in renderings, not real life. Image: Bernard Zyscovich via Gridics

The deadliest state for cycling is Florida. One in five cyclist fatalities in the U.S. happens on Sunshine State roads. While the Florida Department of Transportation is funding research that examines the problem, it's not doing enough to address known safety hazards.

Even when FDOT does pay attention to dangerous conditions, it doesn't do enough. On the Flagler Bridge between West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, for example, the agency is adding a buffered bike lane but no physical protection. With construction wrapping up, Jesse Bailey at Walkable West Palm Beach went out for a ride and imagined a world where FDOT actually prioritizes safe streets for cycling:

Great news: FDOT has outdone themselves again, as they’ve provided the Holy Grail of bike infrastructure over bridges: A physically protected bike lane. Video is below.

The barrels work well to provide a protective barrier between bicyclists and fast moving vehicles. Although we’d be happy to see the barrels remain in place, we suspect FDOT and Palm Beach are working double time this weekend to install a more attractive permanent treatment in time for Monday’s ribbon cutting event. Dignitaries on hand Monday have much reason to celebrate, as not only will the bridge provide enhancements to traffic movement, better sidewalks, and aesthetic improvements, it will also mark the first (to our knowledge) such protected bike lane design over a bridge in the state.

It’s great progress to see FDOT putting bicyclists behind physically protected barriers over high-speed bridges such as the Flagler Bridge. No doubt this new design will be the new standard across the state and be implemented on such bridges as the Rickenbacker Causeway and the 17th Street Bridge in Vero Beach in order to prevent the needless tragedies that have claimed the lives of so many Florida cyclists. Bravo, FDOT.

Note: At press time, we could not reach an FDOT official to actually confirm the policy change.

How many more people will be killed before we see a real policy like that from FDOT?

More recommended reading today: Carfree America makes the case for Dallas to invest in common sense changes to streets, not big expensive mega-projects. And the Transportist says that if driverless cars are the future, highway expansion projects make even less sense.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Tuesday’s Headlines Are Trending Down

An estimated 19,515 people died in car crashes during the first half of 2023, which is down 3.3 percent but still 19,515 too many.

October 3, 2023

What Do ‘Livable’ Streets Look Like in an Era of Driverless Cars?

Does a world of autonomous cars really have to make our streets less human? Possibly.

October 3, 2023

Why Chicago Advocates Are Providing Bikes to Migrants

Unless funds are freed up from a larger entity, bike distribution to asylum seekers is going to stay in crisis mode indefinitely.

October 2, 2023

Monday’s Headlines Are Open for Business

Monday will be just another Monday for federal employees, as Congress avoided a government shutdown. Plus, declining gas tax revenue provides an opportunity to rethink transportation funding.

October 2, 2023

Why Connecticut is Investing in New Regional Rail

Gov. Ned Lamont will spend $315 million investment on new rail cars — but they're not going anywhere near Grand Central. Here's why.

October 2, 2023
See all posts