Transforming Downtown WPB
West Palm Beach is taking significant steps to make its biking network more accessible, enjoyable, and connected. The city’s 2025 Bicycle Master Plan Update builds upon the strong foundation established in 2018, aiming to improve how people travel by bike—whether heading to work, meeting friends, or exploring local attractions.
Where Things Stand Today
Currently, 68% of our streets offer a low-stress biking environment. While that’s great progress, these roads are often cut off from each other by major, high-stress intersections. This creates 398 “islands” of low-stress bikeways—smaller pockets of bike-friendly streets that don’t fully connect to one another.
We know the value of biking goes far beyond just getting from point A to point B. Shorter, safer bike trips help people save time, improve health, and reduce traffic for everyone. Right now, the average bike trip in West Palm Beach is about 22 minutes—longer than in many comparable cities. By bridging these gaps and improving key intersections, we can help everyone enjoy shorter, more direct rides, whether you’re commuting to work, meeting friends downtown, or exploring a new neighborhood.
Our Plan for 2025 and Beyond
The 2025 Bicycle Master Plan update focuses on turning those “islands” into one cohesive network. How? By transforming high-stress intersections into safer, more intuitive crossings and adding new protected bikeways along key routes. This will open up direct, low-stress connections across the city—so a trip that used to feel complicated and lengthy becomes smoother and more enjoyable.
Here’s what we’re working toward:
- Seamless Connectivity: Fewer “islands” of isolated bike-friendly streets.
- Safer Intersections: Better crossings that give people on bikes safe, predictable pathways through busy areas.
- More Low-Stress Bikeways: Protected lanes and calmer streets that encourage more daily biking for errands, exercise, and commuting.
Your Voice Matters
Great biking infrastructure doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s shaped by the people who use it. That’s why the city is hosting community meetings in every district this January and February. Your input helps in the decision where improvements matter most and ensures that the final plan reflects what you value in your day-to-day travels.
How to Get Involved:
- Attend a Community Meeting: Join in this winter at a neighborhood meeting in your district. Share your perspective on what would make biking more convenient for you.
- Explore Our Resources: Dive deeper into the plan details or view the presentation from the first steering committee meeting.
- Reach Out: Have questions or feedback? Contact Jessica A. Keller, Mobility & Transportation Manager, or visit the 2025 Bicycle Master Plan City of West Palm Beach website for updates.
