Is biking Miami feasible? (Miami Beach, South Beach: to rent, beach, suburban)

[rsdplaya]

Hey all, I'll be visiting Miami in November. Staying in Wynwood most likely. Is it feasible to just bike around as opposed to renting a car? As a note, I'm not opposed to biking at all, I bike 6-10 miles quite often, and from what I can tell, it's about a 7 mile trek from Wynwood to South Beach area.

My trip will include hanging around Wynwood, hitting South Beach, going to a Heat game, and probably Little Haiti and Little Havana.

[pslhomie]

Riding a bike in Miami is considered a form of suicide.

[rsdplaya]

Originally Posted by pslhomie

Riding a bike in Miami is considered a form of suicide.

How so?

[hurricaneMan1992]

Actually, in the City itself and on the Beach biking has become more popular, though not as much in the surrounding suburban areas. There is Citibike bike share in Wynwood, downtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove, and in Miami Beach. It is definitely feasible, though you want to stay off of the main roads. Avoid US1 especially north of the arts center (NE 2nd Ave. is a more sane alternative, as are Miami Ave. and NE 1st Ave. through downtown). NW 2nd Ave. and NW/NE 14th ST, and the MacArthur Causeway have bike lanes. But for the bridges on the MacArthur, stick to the protected walkways. The causeway bike lanes are wide and have a 1-2 ft buffer from traffic with rumble strips (though it's not a physical barrier). Sometimes people stop in the bike lane so you have to stop and wait for a break in the traffic to pass. I bike the Causeway regularly and usually encounter 3-4 bicyclists going the same way during the 20 minutes it takes me to get across (I'm a bit slow). In fact, Miami Beach has the most people on bikes that you'll see anywhere in Florida.

For the Heat game, come across on 14th and use the wide walkway along Biscayne Blvd. to the arena. Little Haiti is a few minutes up NW 2nd. Little Havana is a bit of a challenge, I'd probably go down to 14th ST then west to 7th Ave. and take that down--that part of 7th Ave. is relatively sane traffic wise (it's a somewhat sketchy part of town) and there are also sidewalks without many pedestrians if you need them.

[ace587]

Originally Posted by rsdplaya

Hey all, I'll be visiting Miami in November. Staying in Wynwood most likely. Is it feasible to just bike around as opposed to renting a car? As a note, I'm not opposed to biking at all, I bike 6-10 miles quite often, and from what I can tell, it's about a 7 mile trek from Wynwood to South Beach area.

My trip will include hanging around Wynwood, hitting South Beach, going to a Heat game, and probably Little Haiti and Little Havana.

little tricky going to SoBe with the Venetian Causeway not accessible.

[humming100]

Try a scooter

[rsdplaya]

Originally Posted by ace587

little tricky going to SoBe with the Venetian Causeway not accessible.

Why is that not accessible? From what I've been looking at on Google Maps, that's the ideal route to get to South Beach area.

[rsdplaya]

Originally Posted by hurricaneMan1992

Actually, in the City itself and on the Beach biking has become more popular, though not as much in the surrounding suburban areas. There is Citibike bike share in Wynwood, downtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove, and in Miami Beach. It is definitely feasible, though you want to stay off of the main roads. Avoid US1 especially north of the arts center (NE 2nd Ave. is a more sane alternative, as are Miami Ave. and NE 1st Ave. through downtown). NW 2nd Ave. and NW/NE 14th ST, and the MacArthur Causeway have bike lanes. But for the bridges on the MacArthur, stick to the protected walkways. The causeway bike lanes are wide and have a 1-2 ft buffer from traffic with rumble strips (though it's not a physical barrier). Sometimes people stop in the bike lane so you have to stop and wait for a break in the traffic to pass. I bike the Causeway regularly and usually encounter 3-4 bicyclists going the same way during the 20 minutes it takes me to get across (I'm a bit slow). In fact, Miami Beach has the most people on bikes that you'll see anywhere in Florida.

For the Heat game, come across on 14th and use the wide walkway along Biscayne Blvd. to the arena. Little Haiti is a few minutes up NW 2nd. Little Havana is a bit of a challenge, I'd probably go down to 14th ST then west to 7th Ave. and take that down--that part of 7th Ave. is relatively sane traffic wise (it's a somewhat sketchy part of town) and there are also sidewalks without many pedestrians if you need them.

This is GREAT info. Thank you! From what I've been reading online, people are down on biking as opposed to renting a car, so this is a welcome post.

[ace587]

Originally Posted by rsdplaya

Why is that not accessible? From what I've been looking at on Google Maps, that's the ideal route to get to South Beach area.

its closed and under repairs at the moment

[rsdplaya]

Originally Posted by ace587

its closed and under repairs at the moment

Oh. Are there alternative routes? I should ask if me visiting in November would allow me to come in after it is back up and running, if you happen to know the timing...