Initiatives

With hundreds or even thousands of people using BeachwalkMB at any given moment, it’s essential to prioritize safety for all. Here are some suggestions for enhancements.

Prominent Signage on the Path

Public & Traffic signs help regulate public roads. It should be the same for Beachwalk. In many areas and at certain times of the day, there are dozens of BW users simultaneously.

Existing signs are nicely designed but low contrast and are not very visible. The proposal is to have signs like any other on the public road – high contrast with a clear ‘call for action’.

Marking Exit Gates for Hotels & Condos along the Beachwalk

Unfortunately, many hotel and condo exit gates are difficult to spot, leading to challenging situations for guests and Beachwalk users. To ensure everyone’s safety, these exits must be clearly marked and easily visible for bikers and runners

Above: The first photo shows the “W” Hotel exit gate at 23rd Street, concealed within lush greenery. The second photo proposes enhancing visibility by adding additional white stripes on the pavement and a flashing light by the gate.
Below is a proposal for adding a sign at the gate advising hotel guests to look left and right when exiting.

Adjusting Landscaping

Tall landscaping along many BeachwalkMB entrances and exits poses a significant safety issue. It makes it difficult, and often impossible, to see oncoming traffic, including bikers, runners, and skaters.

Regulating Oversized Trucks

The presence of oversized trucks used for landscaping and sanitation on the Beachwalk creates dangerous situations. In the narrow segments of the path, these trucks leave only 3’-4’ of space for bikers, runners, moms with babies, and elderly walkers to pass by in both directions. A real solution would be to ban oversized trucks. In the meantime, protocols like those used for construction sites, such as workers or rangers stationed on opposite sides of the trucks, should be implemented to ensure seamless traffic flow.

Challenging Situations

Sometimes, it seems Park Rangers focus solely on tracking and stopping motorized vehicles, inadvertently neglecting other concerns. For instance, in these photos, activities obstructing a significant portion of the path pose challenges, if not dangers, for passersby. Furthermore, maintenance issues like persistent puddles or broken branches often linger unresolved, causing inconvenience and potential hazards for Beachwalk users.

Observations

Every effort was made to collect objective data (go-pro camera, speedometer, testimonials, etc.).  Yes – the majority of BW users are respectful, courteous, and paying attention. However, be attentive when using the Beachwalk, because it can be a ‘high transit’ path (for bikers, runners, walkers, skaters, etc.). Most challenging situations come from a lack of awareness. Some examples:

  • Making sudden turns on the path without looking if there is traffic around. It may be impossible to react fast enough to avoid a collision if a person on the path suddenly turns and appears in front of you.
  • People cross the path from the hotel or condo towards the beach (and vice versa) without looking left or right first.
  • Dog walkers, with their pets on a long leash. It usually happens early in the morning.
  • Dog walkers – socializing in the middle of the path.
  • Unattended small children on the path, with their parents far behind or in front.
  • People on racing bikes, especially on weekends, tend to ride in groups. Some bikers may not slow down instead they may try to zig-zag around you. Be attentive.
  • Last but not least: people walking or running while focused on their virtual world (AKA staring at cell phones). Expect the unexpected…!

Disclaimer

The ideas presented on this page are only suggestions based on personal experiences and observations by an avid Beachwalk user (on average 2hrs daily). The Platform contributor(s) are NOT responsible for an individual Beachwalk user’s behaviors and outcomes that may occur while using Beachwalk in Miami Beach.

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