There is no doubt that Robinson Street is an important lifeline to the City of Orlando. It runs through the heart of the city serving a diverse range of people including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists and freight/trucks. Robinson Street also borders Lake Eola Park – a major downtown destination. Thousands of people flock to Lake Eola each year for popular festivals, races and other community events.
This is why the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the City of Orlando are thinking about the street’s future. They are conducting a study of the corridor and continue to seek community input about what Robinson Street’s future should look like.
Below are some findings from the study so far which were shared at a public workshop on Nov. 4:
- Many users, one street a.k.a. multi-modal. Serves a diverse range of people: pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, and trucks/freight.
- Important for people biking shorter distances around Downtown Orlando. It’s not part of the City of Orlando’s designated regional bike network yet many bike users still ride throughout the Robinson Street corridor. So far the study has found most bicyclists prefer to ride on the sidewalk which is actually prohibited in Downtown Orlando.
- Pedestrians tend to cross Robinson Street from Lake Eola Park mid-block. Mid-block crossings are the norm. Legally, you can cross mid-block as long as you look out for cars.
- More public meetings to come. The study is only at its halfway point (scheduled to be completed by Fall 2016) and continues to seek community feedback (see workshop poster below to view study timeline).