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  "PageContent": "<h3>| Friends of Car-Free Key West &amp; Duval Street/Historic Downtown</h3> Posted on November 7, 2025      1 CommentKey West’s Crosstown Greenway is a quiet triumph — a safe, slower bike route that threads through the quiet heart of the island, offering locals a way to avoid the chaos of N. Roosevelt Boulevard, the heavy traffic on Flagler and the long loop around the promenade on S. Roosevelt. Starting at Duck Avenue and S. Roosevelt, the Greenway weaves through a couple of improvised cut-throughs before winding along Staples Avenue, Von Phister, Reynolds, and finally connecting to South and United Streets downtown. It’s not just a path — it’s a story of community persistence, smart planning, and ongoing investment.Recent data from a permanent counting dashboard installed on the Staples Avenue Bridge shows that roughly 1,100 people cross the bridge daily, with about 900 cyclists and 200 pedestrians. Since the bridge sits at the midpoint of the Greenway, this number offers a strong proxy for the volume of people traversing the route each day.In our story below we examine how the path was born, some of the recent improvements including a roundabout, a new bike/ped bridge and new bike lanes to connect to the heart of downtown and plans for future improvements. With the City in the middle of developing a Safety Action Plan, the Crosstown Greenway takes on greater importance as the safe route of choice to cross east to west across the island. Let’s take a look more closely…🚲 How the Greenway Was BornThe Crosstown Greenway didn’t start with a master plan — it started with locals who saw a better way. Tom “The Bike Man” Theisen and then–Bike Coordinator Jim Malcom were early champions, piecing together a safe route through the middle of the island in the very late 1990s to early 2000s.One of their first victories was securing a right-of-way across Housing Authority property between 12th Street and Kennedy Street. At the time, the Housing Authority had fenced off access, forcing bikes to either use a dumpster ramp on the tall Housing Authority building or detour a couple of blocks to Flagler Avenue and “salmon” — that is, ride against the flow of traffic on a narrow sidewalk. This affected everyone — workers, tourists, and kids heading to school.After Hurricane Georges, Tom launched a guerrilla campaign. He cut plywood into square signs, stenciled “Henry’s Blockade” (a jab at Housing Authority director Henry Haskins), and screwed them to the fence. The signs were removed as fast as he put them up. He also organized a letter-writing blitz to the Citizen, enlisting friends to sign each one to bypass the paper’s submission limits. Eventually, Jim Malcom stopped by Tom’s house with good news: the Housing Authority would grant the right-of-way.Top photos show the cut through from Kennedy at left and 12th at right across Housing Authority right-of-way. Solid green line on map show the same.Funding stalled the project until Jim found leftover concrete from another job. Just like that, the path went in — a mix of old sidewalk and fresh concrete. It’s still in use today.Another key link was the path through the Wickers Sports Complex parking lots — a quiet connector that helped form the original “Locals’ Bikeway.” Combined with the Staples Avenue Bridge, these segments gave residents a car-free alternative to Flagler Avenue and N. Roosevelt Boulevard.Jim Malcom, who passed away in 2008, was instrumental in these early efforts. Known for his tenacity and commitment to accessibility, he pushed for ADA-compliant ramps and curb cuts across the city, often ruffling feathers but making lasting change.The City formally embraced the route in March 2019, when it was designated the “Crosstown Connector” in the Key West Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The idea was and is, to use low density neighborhood streets with low volumes of traffic (Seidenberg, Staples, Von Phister) and further enhance their safety with traffic calming measures as an alternative to heavier trafficked, but sometimes more direct streets (N. Roosevelt or Flagler). The slow, leafy residential nature of the route is why it is today referred to as a Greenway.From Recommendations to Real ChangeAs improvements began — from green paint to new bike lanes — the name quietly shifted to the “Crosstown Greenway,” reflecting its growing role as a safe, people-first corridor. What started as a locals’ workaround is now a centerpiece of Key West’s mobility future.This is where the City began to seriously pick up on the recommendations from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and start turning ideas into action. Volunteers and advocates showed how small, targeted improvements — like green paint and quick-build projects — could make streets safer and more welcoming for people on bikes and on foot.This momentum led to tangible improvements: wayfinding signage on poles and painted directly on the street, the Staples Avenue Bridge replacement, the installation of the new mini roundabout, and the permanent bike counter on the bridge. These projects mark a turning point, demonstrating the City’s commitment to safer, more accessible streets and the ongoing evolution of the Crosstown Greenway.🚧 A Bridge Worth CelebratingThe Staples Avenue Bike/Ped Bridge is more than just a crossing — it’s a cornerstone of the Crosstown Greenway. Originally installed about 25 years ago after contentious community meetings pitting neighbors afraid of gas-powered scooters against bicycle advocates wanting a simple, straightforward path. A trans quadriplegic in a motorized wheelchair regularly attended meetings and was a powerful advocate for inclusive, straightforward design.As Tom Theisen recalls, “The biking community (also) wanted a straight approach but was tired of fighting the neighbors at that point.” So, eventually the bridge was shaped by compromise: bikers had to get off the street and use the sidewalks to access the bridge. Bollards were added down the middle of the bridge to calm traffic. The sidewalks and bollards, meant to scare away the scooters, also made it very difficult for bike riders, many of whom had to dismount to traverse the bridge as a result, especially for tricycles. But it was still way better than the alternative routes and so was heavily used.We’re told the original bridge was championed by passionate commissioners, including Merili McCoy and Jeremy Anthony, who faced fierce opposition from neighbors. With the rise of e-bikes, some of those concerns have resurfaced, and Tom concedes the neighborhood is now “tormented” by them.Plans for a new and better bridge started about five years ago in 2020 when we reported on issues of rusting and corrosion reported by kayakers under the bridge. The City Engineering Department immediately responded and said although the bridge was safe, it was nearing the end of its useful life and made plans to replace it. After a couple years of funding delays the City announced in 2023 that a new bridge would be built. Work started in 2024 and was completed earlier this year.Bikes now approach the new bridge straight on from the middle of the street. At 15 feet wide, the replacement structure is much wider, allowing for two-way bicycle traffic and a separated pedestrian walkway. No more navigating onto the sidewalk and curving around onto the bridge. No more pesky bollards in the middle to crash into. No more bike vs. pedestrian incidents. Easier to cross. Safer for everyone. A huge improvement.Despite its importance, the bridge never got a grand opening ceremony when it was rebuilt and finished earlier this year. But its impact is undeniable. It connects key segments of the Greenway and offers a safe, car-free route through the center of the island.The Importance of Data: Counting on the BridgeA permanent counting dashboard was installed on the Staples Avenue Bridge a few months ago, providing valuable data on usage patterns. This data is crucial for informed planning and ensuring the Greenway continues to meet the needs of its users and neighbors.The dashboard shows that roughly 1,100 people cross the bridge daily, with about 900 cyclists and 200 pedestrians — a testament to the bridge’s vital role as a key artery for safe, car-free travel across the island.The Roundabout That Got People TalkingThe paint is still drying on the recent reconstruction of the intersection of 4th Street and Staples Avenue that included replacing the existing two-way stop controls with a neighborhood traffic circle, as recommended in the Key West Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. This change was designed to accommodate larger turning radius vehicles while improving traffic control in all directions to minimize collisions, reduce vehicle emissions, decrease traffic control disregard, and enhance pedestrian crosswalks as part of the Crosstown Connector.The project had long been in the works, approved by the City Commission and supported by the Sustainability Advisory Board. While some residents were surprised by the new mini roundabout, it reflects the City’s commitment to safer, more efficient streets.“Modern Mini Roundabouts can certainly be part of the plan… but we should ensure that we don’t create problems for people with low or no vision.” — Ryan StachurskiThough the final design lacks a landscaped island, it includes pavement markings and raised markers to guide traffic. It’s a modest but meaningful step toward safer streets. And our friend Tom Thiesen says:”The roundabout at 4th is a great improvement and should be implemented on the whole bike route.”We agree with Tom that there are plenty of opportunities for more of these along the route. Especially as he points out there’s about three dozen stops along the entire route. Either that or perhaps implement the Idaho Stop, that allows for cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, for bikes along the Greenway.The Proposed Wickers Path: Progress and ChallengesThe Wickers Path is a key segment of the Crosstown Greenway, winding through the area once home to the Wickers Stadium, a minor league baseball park from 1969 to 1975 — we wrote about the history here: In Quest to Improve Crosstown Greenway, City Prepares to Construct New Bike Trail Segment. Today, the site is known as the Wickers Sports Complex, bounded by 14th Street, Kennedy Drive, Flagler Avenue, and Poinciana Elementary School.This short but crucial trail segment connects the concrete cut-through path from Seidenberg Avenue between 12th and Kennedy through two parking lots serving the sports complex before reaching Duck Avenue at 14th Street. Currently, this area is an unsafe mess, with bikes and cars sharing tight spaces.In May of 2021, we reported that Commissioner Sam Kaufman and then-Commissioner Greg Davila championed efforts to separate bike traffic from the parking lots to improve safety for all users. At the time, Multi-Modal Coordinator Ryan Stachurski told us that Calvin, Giordano and Associates completed their report on the project, and design alternatives were expected shortly, with construction initially slated for summer 2021.However, the project has faced delays and challenges, including drainage issues that proved the allocated funding inadequate to overcome those problems. Initial funding remains allocated, but construction was pushed back from 2027 to 2029, with a likely need for value engineering due to budget constraints. Additionally, the presence of the new Flagler pump station and fire station on the Wickers property requires redesign efforts.This project has seen fits and starts, but the commitment to improving this critical connection remains strong among advocates and city officials alike as Wickers Path remains a vital piece of the Crosstown Greenway.New, where none existed before, bike lanes downtown on South and United connect to the Greenway.Downtown Extension: South &amp; United StreetsThe City of Key West has recently completed major rebuild projects on United Street and South Street, bringing brand new, wider bike lanes and improved pedestrian safety to these critical downtown corridors.The United Street rebuild, finished in 2024, included a $4.8 million investment in new curb and gutter, narrower and safer pedestrian crossings, fresh asphalt, abundant new trees, and a wider bike lane where none had existed before. This new bike lane heads out of downtown and connects seamlessly with the Crosstown Greenway and other bike facilities, helping create a safer, more connected network.Following closely, the South Street rebuild wrapped up in early 2025 with a $3.5 million investment. It features new paving, ADA-compliant sidewalks and curb ramps, improved drainage, landscaping, and a new inbound bike lane designed to be 4 feet wide with a 2-foot buffer, totaling 6 feet. While slightly narrower than state minimum standards for door-zone bike lanes, it is wider than many existing lanes in Key West and represents a significant safety upgrade.Together, these two projects act like a bike lane pair similar to the Fleming and Southard Streets lanes, providing safer, easier routes for cyclists traveling into and out of downtown. They also connect to the Reynolds Street bike lanes, which lead to Higgs Beach and beyond, enhancing the overall bike network on the island.Then Mayor Teri Johnston had been a vocal supporter of these improvements, as has Commissioner Sam Kaufman, emphasizing the importance of dedicated bike lanes to keep bikes and e-bikes off sidewalks and improve traffic flow while maintaining parking.Ryan Stachurski, Multi-Modal Transportation Coordinator, highlighted the complete streets elements incorporated in these projects, including bicycle wayfinding signs, street trees for shade, and design features reinforcing the 20 MPH speed limit to promote safety and support the City’s Vision Zero goal.These new bike lanes and pedestrian improvements mark a major step forward in Key West’s commitment to safer, more accessible streets for all users.What’s Next for the GreenwayThe Crosstown Greenway is a sprawling, evolving project with many moving parts. According to Ryan Stachurski’s April report, several key initiatives are on the horizon:Completing wayfinding confirmation signage across the entire route to help users navigate more easily.Installing complete street features, some embedded or funded within the Von Phister Street resurfacing project, though not all details have been finalized.Continuing progress on the roundabout at 4th Street and Staples Avenue and the Wickers Path, both covered earlier in this page.Where Duck Avenue Meets S. RooseveltAdditionally, the City is actively pursuing grant funding to study improvements at the Duck Avenue and S. Roosevelt intersection, a critical entry point to the Greenway. Advocates have long called for enhanced safety measures here, including a traffic light or pushbutton flashing beacons, as detailed in our previous coverage here: “Do We Need a Traffic Light at Duck Avenue and S. Roosevelt?“. The Sustainability Advisory Board supports this grant effort, and the City is open to community input. While construction may be years away, securing early design funding could accelerate the timeline.We’ll point out that Tom Thiesen suggests that Eagle Avenue is a safer alternative than busier and more congested Duck Avenue. We agree and often use Eagle ourselves when getting to S. Roosevelt from the Greenway. But the problem of safely crossing the four lanes of traffic on S. Roosevelt would still need to be overcome. So we applaud studying options.Other Intersections That Need Safety FeaturesFrom a safety perspective, there are other busy crossings along the Greenway that need attention, including White Street, First Street, 5th Street and Kennedy Street. In addition to the crossing why oh why does Kennedy Street need four lanes of vehicle traffic?Both the Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan and Ryan’s recent updates highlight White Street as a priority for improvements. For example, bulb-outs could shorten crossing distances and enhance pedestrian safety where sidewalk expansion is limited. And green paint could be applied across the street to alert cars to the presence of the Greenway.Von Phister Targeted NextThe Von Phister Street resurfacing project is backed by $500,000 in grant funding. It primarily involves mill and pave work and shoulder restoration but aims to lock in some of the temporary improvements from the original pilot project, such as sharrows and wayfinding signage. Sidewalk improvements may be limited due to space constraints, but safety enhancements like bulb-outs at White Street are under consideration. The project design is expected to be done mostly in-house, with construction planned for this year. Official project documents are available here.The Crosstown Greenway: A Path Worth Investing InThe Crosstown Greenway isn’t just a shortcut — it’s a statement. It shows what happens when a city listens to its residents, prioritizes safety, and builds for the future. With continued investment, clearer markings, and community support, this not-so-secret bikeway can become a signature feature of Key West’s mobility landscape.Encouraging more people to get on bikes not only reduces congestion and emissions but also makes life on our island healthier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone. The Greenway’s evolution is a testament to what’s possible when community advocacy meets smart planning and sustained commitment.Ryan Stachurski sums it up well:“The Crosstown Greenway is an important facility for residents and visitors as not only does it provide a comfortable bicycle route for students to get to school and families to get to the game – but it means fewer cars on the road and less parking congestion at the destination. Workers who take the route don’t displace car-parking spaces that might otherwise be used by customers. Slower-speed roads with safe crossings correlate with fewer injuries that can be catastrophic for vulnerable road users and their families.”Stay tuned for ridership data and more updates as the story unfolds.Together, we can keep moving Key West forward — one pedal stroke at a time.# # #Chris Hamilton is the founder of Friends of Car-Free Key West &amp; Duval Street/Historic Downtown, a local advocacy group championing sustainable mobility and vibrant public spaces. Subscribe to the blog and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Substack for updates. All stories are cross posted at KONK Life News. Originally from Washington, D.C., Chris spent over two decades leading nationally acclaimed initiatives in transit, biking, walking, and smart growth for Arlington County, VA’s DOT. Since moving to Key West in 2015, he has embraced a car-free lifestyle downtown, dedicating his time to non-profits and community projects. Explore all Streets for People column articles here.",
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