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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PREPARE A REPORT TO THE BOARD WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OUTLINING THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING SAFETY MEASURES FOR BICYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS ALONG THE RICKENBACKER CAUSEWAY, BRICKELL AVENUE, SOUTH BAYSHORE DRIVE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE SAFETY AND EDUCATIONAL MEASURES DESCRIBED HEREIN

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WHEREAS, this Board is committed to enhancing the quality of life of residents and visitors to Miami-Dade County through the promotion of healthy activities such as bicycling, jogging, and walking; and
WHEREAS, the County�s bike paths and greenways provide opportunities for recreation as well as for increased and more efficient use of bicycles as a mode of transportation; and
WHEREAS, this Board is committed to the safety of those who use such bike paths and greenways; and
WHEREAS, the Rickenbacker Causeway is one of the most scenic and well-established routes in Miami-Dade County, attracting regular riders as well as visitors; and
WHEREAS, in addition to a history of tragic accidents on the Rickenbacker Causeway involving bicyclists as well as recent construction constricting traffic and placing vehicles in even closer proximity to the riding public and pedestrians, it is imperative that this Board and this County explore and implement all prudent safety and educational measures; and
WHEREAS, the area surrounding and leading to the Rickenbacker Causeway, including Brickell Avenue, South Bayshore Drive, provide access to the Rickenbacker Causeway and are in their own right some of the most popular bicycling and pedestrian areas; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires to ensure that the safest possible environment is provided to bicyclists and pedestrians using the Rickenbacker Causeway, Brickell Avenue, South Bayshore Drive and the surrounding area while still ensuring orderly traffic flow and necessary construction; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires for the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee to prepare a report that examines all common-sense as well as innovative solutions in both the short and long term in order to address the situation facing riders and pedestrians along the Rickenbacker Causeway, Brickell Avenue, South Bayshore Drive and the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires that such report examine the feasibility of implementing safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians along the Rickenbacker Causeway including but not limited to: enhancing enforcement of the 45 mph speed limit and establishment of regular DUI checkpoints; enhancing enforcement by increasing communication and coordination with other municipalities with jurisdiction over parts of the Rickenbacker Causeway including the City of Miami and Village of Key Biscayne; reduction of the speed limit where possible; closing the right lane of traffic in both directions on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 6:00 am to 10:00am.; improving and enhancing signage; painting bicycle lanes green to include �peg-a-tracking� and chevron arrows; creating a 3 foot unprotected buffer between the roadway and the bicycle lane; installing and marking of enhanced crosswalks, with red flashing stop lights, that can be activated by pedestrians; placing physical separation as a feature in dangerous areas such as bridges and marked buffers along trajectory of the bike lane; and designing and promoting a motorist and bicyclist education and outreach campaign; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires that such report examine the feasibility of implementing safety measures on Brickell Avenue, South Bayshore Drive and the surrounding area including but not limited to: enhancing enforcement of the various speed limits and establishment of regular DUI checkpoints; reduction of the speed limit where possible; improving and enhancing signage; painting bicycle lanes green to include ''peg-a-tracking'' and chevron arrows; creating a 3 foot unprotected buffer between the roadway and the bicycle lane; installing and marking of enhanced crosswalks, with red flashing stop lights, that can be activated by pedestrians; placing marked buffers along trajectory of the bike lane; and designing and promoting a motorist and bicyclist education and outreach campaign,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee is directed prepare a report to the Board within sixty days outlining the feasibility of implementing safety measures for bicyclists and pedestrians along the Rickenbacker Causeway, Brickell Avenue, South Bayshore Drive and the surrounding area including but not limited to the safety and educational measures described herein.