Atlantic Greenway Network

The City of Miami Beach is part of the South Florida metropolis extending from the Palm Beaches to South Miami, and is intertwined with the greater whole, but retains its own culture and identity. The development history of  Miami Beach is primarily responsible for the overall geographical layout of its streets and open spaces.The layout of the city connects the north and south through a series of main arterial roadways. Commercial properties were strategically placed at major crossroads, and large development lots were created to lure the wealthy to the city. Hotels were then developed along the major thoroughfares parallel to the waterfront.

Today, Miami Beach is a major tourist destination for travelers worldwide. Its climate, beaches, culture and nightlife have made it a trend-setting hotspot for decades. Although the city is home to over 90,000 residents; during high season, the number of visitors reaches into the millions.The arterial roadways are highly urbanized corridors that experience thick volumes of traffic especially during fluctuations in population . Any corridor improvements or reconfigurations require large construction expenditures which result in event heavier congestion. Additionally most roadways do not offer bicycle lanes to promote alternative transportation and are often a safety hazard.

To help offset congestion, the City of Miami Beach began the process of integrating its bicycle, pedestrian and greenway facilities into the Atlantic Greenway Network (AGN). The AGN is section of the larger East Coast Greenway Network, the nations longest connected bicycle and walking route. The East Coast Greenway is is approximately 3,000 miles of trails that connect the southernmost point of Florida to the state of Maine.

In Miami Beach the AGN network knits together elements of the city’s bicycle/pedestrian transportation system: the north-south Beach Corridors running parallel to the dunes, and the Neighborhood Trails that provide access to the beach, parks, schools, and the commercial, cultural and civic destinations. The AGN encourages and fosters the development of multi-modal transportation systems throughout the City including integration and connection to the existing and proposed transit systems; linkages to existing and proposed multi-modal transportation centers; and the creation of a network of safe transportation alternatives. The overall goal of the AGN is to provide seamless multi-modal connectivity along Miami Beach’s streets and greenways.

Learn More:

2008 Atlantic Greenway Network Master Plan
East Coast Greenway Network Official Site
Transportation Department – AGN