Cars Retake Their Place on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach

Ocean Drive in South Beach is the site of an ongoing pilot project in making space for pedestrians and businesses in space previously devoted to cars. Advocates and some local politicians don't like the direction that the experiment is headed.

1 minute read

July 13, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Ocean Drive Open Streets

Ocean Drive in Miami Beach on May 30, 2020. | Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock

"For nearly eight weeks, a sliver of South Beach belonged to the people," writes Martin Vassolo. "There were no cars allowed on a 10-block stretch of Ocean Drive, the popular seaside promenade, giving bicyclists, skateboarders, joggers and walkers a space to exercise away from cramped sidewalks and congested roads."

Now that has changed, however, after the city returned cars to the northbound lanes on Ocean Drive over the 4th of July weekend, while retaining the southbound lanes for pedestrians and outdoor dining, in what promises to be an ongoing experiment in reconfiguring the public realm in response to ongoing crises of public health and the local economy.

"Mayor Dan Gelber said the street’s new configuration will not be permanent, calling it a 'two-week pilot' program," according to Vassolo. "Ideally, he said, the city should be able to fully pedestrianize the street during certain periods, and open it to cars the rest of the time."

Activists, however, are still pushing back on the decision to allow cars back onto the street. "Activists aren’t the only ones perplexed by the city’s decision to reopen Ocean Drive. Commissioners Ricky Arriola and Mark Samuelian, who supported the closure of the street, said on Friday they were not consulted about the plan," reports Vassolo.

Additional coverage of the ongoing Ocean Drive saga is available from Joshua Ceballos.

Friday, July 3, 2020 in Miami Herald

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities