When a city resident submitted a request through Orlando’s Quick Build Interest Form asking for safer cycling on Livingston Street, it helped set in motion one of two new protected bike lane projects the city will begin building next month.
Orlando will break ground in March on separated bicycle lanes in Rosemont and Colonialtown South, funded with approximately $82,855 in Safety Funds and $200,000 to $300,000 in Bike Plan Implementation funds, according to Laura Hardwicke, the city’s Safe Mobility Manager. Construction on both corridors is expected to wrap up by May.
The projects are the latest in a series of improvements stemming from the city’s 2020 Bike Plan Update, which has already produced the Packing District Improvements, Downtown Connector Trail along Anderson Street, SODO Urban Trail, and Grand National Drive capacity improvements, among other initiatives, Hardwicke said.
Both corridors underwent a comprehensive screening process that assessed existing and connecting bike facilities, traffic and speed levels, crash report data, and the prevalence of nearby businesses, public amenities, and other community destinations, according to Hardwicke.
Two Neighborhoods, Different Approaches
In Rosemont, the project will add vertical bike lane protections along the southern portion of Lake Orlando Parkway from North Lane to Long Road — the road that circles the 178-acre Lake Orlando at the heart of the neighborhood, according to the city’s project page. Low-profile traffic separators will create a physical barrier between cyclists and vehicle traffic.
The project covers only the southern stretch of the lake loop. The city said future expansions will be assessed based on post-installation evaluation and available funding.
The Colonialtown South project takes a more comprehensive approach, combining separated bike lanes with intersection improvements along Livingston Street from Fern Creek Avenue to Maguire Boulevard.
At three key intersections — Livingston and Fern Creek Avenue, Livingston and Bumby Avenue, and Livingston and Maguire Boulevard — the city will install bulb-outs that extend the curb with posts and paint to shorten pedestrian crossings and slow vehicle turns, per city project documentation. The project also includes bike boxes that give cyclists a head start at red lights and dedicated bicycle crossings designed to slow traffic.
The Livingston Street project will connect with the existing Bumby Avenue multi-use path, which was part of a $7 million corridor retrofit.
“I Actually Expected Bumby to Be More of a Challenge”
Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who has represented the area since 2000, said the Bumby Avenue experience gave the city confidence to expand protected cycling infrastructure in the district.
“I actually expected Bumby to be more of a challenge than it was,” Sheehan said. “I think people saw the value in accessing it directly. It did not hurt that the City of Orlando also poured driveways as part of the project. Many of the properties lacked them, and it was a huge benefit to many who could not afford the improvement.”
Sheehan said she supports the new bike infrastructure as part of providing alternative transportation and wellness options. But she acknowledged that nearby residents have expressed concerns about construction impacts, and that an existing challenge in the area involves drivers using bike lanes to avoid brick-street traffic calming.
“We have had OPD monitor and issue tickets,” Sheehan said.
The city has improved its Public Works communications on construction projects in response to resident feedback, she added.
Commissioner Roger Chapin, who took office in January after winning the District 3 runoff election in December, said the Lake Orlando Parkway project builds on what is already a standout cycling corridor.
“The bike lanes around Lake Orlando are, in my opinion, some of the best in the entire city,” Chapin said. “They are wide, enjoy park access and incredible lake views. So, the added safety measure adds to an already wonderful bike lane in this area of Rosemont.”
Chapin said he hears from constituents across District 3 and the city about the desire for expanded bike lanes and added safety measures. “I’m proud the City of Orlando places a priority on bike safety and expanded lanes and trails,” he said.
How the City Will Measure Success
Unlike the city’s $3.9 million federally funded Safe Streets for All quick-build program — which covers 28 locations — the Rosemont and Livingston Street projects are funded separately through local safety and bike plan dollars, Hardwicke said.
The city will track vehicle speeds, cyclist volumes and ridership rates, miles of comfortable biking routes, and observed behavioral changes such as cyclist movements at intersections and how often motorists obstruct bike lanes, according to Hardwicke.
After a year, the city will evaluate whether to make the installations permanent based on maintenance needs, impacts on street safety for all modes of travel, and effects on public services like trash collection and street maintenance.
The quick-build approach allows the city to deliver projects at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional capital improvements. From previous quick-builds, the city has learned it can implement meaningful projects for under $500,000, designed and installed within a year, Hardwicke said.
What’s Next
Both projects are part of the 2020 Bike Plan Update, which replaced the city’s original 2008 bike plan and identified both corridors as demonstration projects to improve network connectivity.
For Rosemont, the bike lane arrives as the neighborhood undergoes broader change, with the former Lake Orlando Golf Club site being redeveloped into the RoseArts District, a mixed-use community.
In Colonialtown South, the Livingston Street improvements add to a neighborhood already known for its walkability. The intersection treatments at Fern Creek, Bumby, and Maguire could serve as a model for similar improvements elsewhere in the city.
Construction is scheduled from March through May 2026.
This story was updated on Feb. 20, 2026, to include a response from Commissioner Roger Chapin.
This story was developed using AI analysis of public records and official transcripts. See our editorial standards for more information about how we produce coverage.