Blog Category
Zero Fatalities by 2035 – Key West Aims for Safer Streets for All
Posted on July 27, 2025 Leave a Comment
July 27, 2025 Key West is taking proactive steps to make its streets safer for residents and visitors — whether they’re walking, biking, or driving. Through a collaborative effort with the University of Florida, the City has launched a Safety Action Plan grounded in the Vision Zero philosophy: eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. Community […]
Conch Disconnect: Repeal Without Replace Is Just Regression
Posted on July 24, 2025 Leave a Comment
July 24, 2025 Following our recent article on the discontinuation of Conch Connect, Monroe County Commissioner Michelle Lincoln responded with thoughtful insights. She reaffirmed the County’s shared goal of reducing car dependency and explained that the Freebee pilot, while well-intentioned, resulted in mostly single-passenger trips—undermining its purpose and potentially increasing traffic. We appreciate Commissioner Lincoln’s […]
Conch Disconnect: County Scraps Transit Service for Local Workers
Posted on July 20, 2025 2 Comments
July 20, 2025 Key West’s workforce increasingly lives beyond the island, pushed outward by housing costs and pulled into long, exhausting commutes. With infrequent transit and few alternatives, driving becomes an expensive necessity. Last year, Monroe County launched the Conch Connect micro-transit service, a bold step toward addressing the region’s transit challenges. The eventual program […]
Making the Duval Loop Free and Easy Helps Downtown Prosper
Posted on July 14, 2025 Leave a Comment
On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 8 U.S. Radio One Evening Edition’s Nick Wright interviewed Chris Hamilton after reading the article “The $1 Mistake: How Key West Is Undermining the Duval Loop, Again,” published July 6, 2025 where it was generating buzz on Facebook. What follows is a transcript of that conversation. You can listen […]
The $1 Mistake: How Key West Is Undermining the Duval Loop, Again
Posted on July 6, 2025 1 Comment
July 6, 2025 In May 2020, the Key West City Commission voted 5–2 to impose a $1 fare on the Duval Loop, despite strong opposition from workers, downtown businesses, hoteliers and residents. Just six months later, the decision was reversed because the City’s Covid Recovery Plan prioritized free Loop access to support downtown recovery and […]
Key West is Florida’s Best Biking City. Could It Become the Paris of Small Cities?
Posted on July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment
The PeopleforBikes 2025 City Ratings rank Key West the #1 Place to Bike in Florida. Could it become the Paris of Small Cities?
Just Six Months Old, Conch Connect Micro-Transit Is Already Beating Expectations
Posted on January 24, 2025 1 Comment
By Chris Hamilton. Story is cross posted at KONK Life on January 24, 2025. Follow us at Friends of Car-Free Key West & Duval Street/Historic Downtown on Facebook. Just six months after its debut, the Conch Connect on-demand, Uber-like micro transit service is shattering forecasts by more than doubling expected ridership. In its first four full months of service, […]
Rebuild of South Street Is Complete and Includes Brand New Bike Lane
Posted on January 17, 2025 1 Comment
By Chris Hamilton. Story is cross posted at KONK Life on January 17, 2025. Follow us at Friends of Car-Free Key West & Duval Street/Historic Downtown on Facebook. A $3.5 million dollar City rebuild of South Street between Duval and Reynolds Streets is wrapping up as the first coat of paint has gone down on the newly repaved and […]
Commissioner Lee Is Right. It’s Time To Get Fast Moving E-Bikes Off Our Promenades
Posted on January 10, 2025 1 Comment
Commissioner Donnie Lee advocates for moving fast e-vehicles from Key West’s promenades to streets due to safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. As e-bike and scooter popularity surged, accidents increased, prompting discussions on regulation. Recent meetings highlight the potential for stricter laws, emphasizing the need for safer multi-use paths.
Work To Upgrade Lower Keys Shuttle Bus Stops Completed
Posted on September 13, 2024 Leave a Comment
By Chris Hamilton. Story is cross posted at KONK Life on September 13 , 2024. Follow us at Friends of Car-Free Key West & Duval Street/Historic Downtown on Facebook. The City just completed a two-year, mostly grant-funded, $1.4 million dollar “Final Mile” construction project improving all 62 bus stops along the Lower Keys Shuttle bus route that ferries residents, […]