Can Miami be made safe for people who walk instead of drive?

You can add pedestrian-friendly to the list of buzzwords being tossed around these days when the subject is revitalizing our nation’s cities. Others include sustainability, smart growth, and building green. Like most buzzwords, pedestrian-friendly is a subjective term that evokes different ideas from different individuals. I asked a few people what it means to them.

Dean Lewis, architect and Upper Eastside resident.

1. Protection and separation distance: “A zone of separation including barriers, both physical and perceived, between vehicular traffic and pedestrians is crucial for the pedestrian’s safe co-habitation along a public right-of-way.”

2. Zoning and mixed-use development: “This component incorporates the ‘Eyes on the Street’ principal on a 24-hour basis to avoid the ‘blacked-out downtown after 5:00’ factor, when businesses close and there is no street presence.” This would increase the feeling of safety from crimes of opportunity.

3. Citywide public transportation: “A pedestrian should not have to rely only on his personal vehicle to circulate in an urban environment. In fact, the more user-friendly the local mass-transit facilities are, the more popular and successful the urban growth of the area will be.” Perhaps a free trolley that travels up and down the Boulevard, as now exists along Ponce de Leon in the Gables, would help provide this element.

Bob Powers, president of the Palm Grove Homeowners Association.

“The first thing is that the streets are safe to cross. Pedestrian crosswalks should be provided at regular intervals.” Bob also points out that the speed of the traffic has greater impact than the amount of traffic. “It’s actually easier to cross the street during rush-hour traffic than off hours.” Traffic congestion during rush hour periods reduces speed.

Tom Hider, MiMo Historic District business owner and Boulevard resident.

“It requires the fundamental ability to safely cross Biscayne Boulevard.” Tom also suggests an innovative idea: Vehicles in traffic lanes bordering sidewalks should be required to travel at a slower speed than those traveling the inside lanes.

Margaret Tynan, president of the Belle Meade Homeowners Association and consummate dog-walker. Margaret puts it bluntly: “It means that I can cross the street or walk along a sidewalk without being run down by a car or a bicycle!”

There is an obvious common thread running through these responses: Safety for pedestrians.

It makes no sense to develop a business corridor along Biscayne Boulevard that caters exclusively to vehicular traffic, especially when the businesses back up against residential communities. People are drawn to such business corridors not just for their products and services, but also because masses of people on the sidewalks attract other people. This especially applies to the MiMo Historic District, which could become a popular place to hang out -- to people-watch and to be seen by others.

Without basic safety, however, the people will not come -- at least not by foot. And here is where the notion of pedestrian-friendly expands to include safety from crime. One example: Most people who now patronize restaurants in the MiMo Historic District drive their vehicle directly to the restaurant. They don’t park elsewhere and stroll. Even local residents aren’t inclined to walk -- and I should know.

My wife and I live just a block and a half east of the Boulevard in Belle Meade, but seldom do we venture out on pedestrian excursions. Why? Mainly because of the danger in traversing a no-man’s land between NE 6th Court and the Boulevard itself. These dark streets are a haven for those who prey on the weak or unsuspecting.

Since it seems we cannot successfully control the criminal element, the only smart thing to do is not put yourself in harm’s way. So it’s into the car, drive to the restaurant, park very close or valet, enter the restaurant, eat the meal, get back in the car, and drive directly home.

Alternatively, if you felt truly safe, you could enjoy the cool evenings and a nice walk, checking out the people and the shops. (Storefront businesses should keep their lights on so people can window-shop even when the stores are closed.) Based on the experience of the past couple of Cinco de MiMo events, sponsored by the MiMo Biscayne Association, we know the Boulevard can be a fun and happening place -- especially after dark.

When there is activity and when there is a police presence, people will come out and participate. Why? Well, they’re looking for a good time at the right price. But also, importantly, because they feel safe.

The key to the MiMo District’s success is conveying a feeling of complete safety on a daily basis, and to do that we need the active participation of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which controls modifications to the Boulevard itself, and of our police department, which provides that critical element of safety while people stroll the sidewalks, taking in the scenery.

Last month I attended an FDOT public meeting at Legion Park on the topic of pedestrian safety. This forum, led by FDOT Boulevard project manager David Korros, was called to present proposals designed to make the MiMo District more pedestrian-friendly. The proposals included several strategically placed “feedback speed signs” that display the standard 35 mph speed limit but also utilize a digital readout of the actual speed of the car approaching the sign. This idea was well received by those in attendance.

FDOT also proposed the installation of a so-called Pedestrian Refuge Island at 72nd Terrace. These islands are like medians separating traffic lanes. They allow pedestrians to cross one-half of a busy roadway, find refuge on the island, then navigate the other half. The 72nd Terrace island would feature flashing beacons instead of a full-fledged crosswalk stoplight. FDOT additionally proposed a plethora of new signage advising people to use common sense when crossing the street. This was not very well received as most everyone ignores such signs, and they just add to the visual pollution that already exists.

All in all, not a very promising set of long-term solutions, but nonetheless they should be implemented (except the extra signage, please) because they’re better than nothing.

As for added police protection, we have a new police chief, Miguel Exposito, who says one of his top priorities is to put more police on neighborhood streets -- something I’ve been advocating for years. I’ve never bought into the police mantra that “if we put a cop on every corner, we still couldn’t stop crime.” While that may be true regarding white-collar crimes or impulsive crimes of passion, it would certainly put a damper on the opportunistic criminals who plague our neighborhoods and businesses all along the Biscayne Corridor.

Let’s hope the new chief is successful in this endeavor and that he places some priority on the Upper Eastside -- both on the Boulevard and on our residential streets.

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