Bicycle Plan

The City of Orlando Bicycle Plan is a long-range plan detailing the City's bicycle facility improvements through 2010.  It was developed as the City’s response to Bicycling Magazine's ranking of Orlando as the second "Worst" city for bicycling in its 1990 annual ranking of major cities. City officials accepted the ranking as a challenge to improve conditions for bicyclists. In May of 1994, the Orlando City Council adopted the Bicycle Plan, which set forth the City's bicycling vision for the foreseeable future.  
                    Planned Bikeways by 2010
                      Existing Bikeways 2007

Plan Goal

The goal of the Bicycle Plan is to increase bicycle use as transportation by implementing a system of safe, economical and efficient bikeway facilities and by supporting bicycle-related programs.  City of Orlando staff and the Bicycle Plan Steering Committee met throughout 1993 to develop a vision statement regarding bicycles as a form of transportation. The meetings resulted in a vision where a multi-modal transportation system creates a high level of accessibility, reduces dependency on the automobile, increases transit usage, creates a quality pedestrian environment, and offers a safe and attractive ambiance for bicycling.  The Bicycle Advisory Committee communicates regularly to provide guidance to implement the vision. 

Plan Development

City staff conducted several surveys to analyze citizen attitudes and behavioral patterns towards bicycle usage. The survey data helped calculate the number of potential bicycle riders if adequate facilities were available. In addition, staff conducted a detailed review of existing facilities, accident data, City Code regulations, state traffic laws and institutional arrangements to determine the City's bicycle facility deficiencies and needs.

City staff then scrutinized bicycle facility design standards to determine the most appropriate design features for the City of Orlando. They revised parking standards, bicycle lanes, paved shoulders, off-street bicycle facilities, sidewalks, dual use facilities, bicycle paths, bicycle trails, bikeway structures, and signage to determine the best fit for the City of Orlando.

Plan Updates

In September 1996, the Mayor of Orlando issued a challenge to complete 100 total miles of bikeway facilities by 2000. The City not only met but also exceeded this goal prior to the end of 2000 and in December of 2000, the League of American Cyclists designated the City of Orlando as a "Bicycle Friendly Community". As of August 2001, the City had provided 148 total miles of bicycle facilities, which exceeded the original 2010 goal of 132 miles. The Bicycle Plan update of 2001 extended the City’s multi-modal transportation vision by calling for the construction of an additional 79 miles of bikeway facilities resulting in a total of 227 miles by 2006 and the addition of at least 100 more miles connecting all parts of the City by 2010.  As of December 31, 2006, the City has over 250 miles of bikeways.

End Result

Based on the survey analysis and existing facility review, City staff derived a list of needed bicycle facility projects. The improvements were classified by type of project. Staff based the cost estimates for each type of facility on information from the City's Public Works Department. Existing funding sources, federal and state assistance, private contributions and/or new sources fund current and future bicycle improvements. The total estimated capital and maintenance costs for the Bicycle Plan through the year 2010 is approximately $11,700,000.  

The Bicycle Plan incorporates the vision of multi-modal transportation developed by City staff and Steering Committee members by outlining future bicycle opportunities for the City of Orlando. The plan is achieved through a set of goals, objectives and policies, a recommended bikeway facilities map and various bicycle support programs. Through the continuous evaluation of existing bicycle conditions and development of plans for improvement, the Bicycle Plan provides the framework to foster a bicycle friendly community.  Because of the City's commitment and dedication to developing bicycling options for citizens, Orlando was recognized in October 2004 and again in 2006 as a bicycle friendly community at the bronze level by the American League of Bicyclists.  The City of Orlando is committed to ensuring Orlando's future is characterized as a bicycle oriented city.