Vero Beach Residents Petition for Sidewalk to Protect Kids

Elimination of proposed sidewalk along State Road A1A raises safety concerns for local families

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:26am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print of a child's bicycle repeated in a grid pattern, representing the safety concerns for local families due to the lack of pedestrian infrastructure.The elimination of a proposed sidewalk along a busy Florida road has forced local families to choose between risking their children's safety or limiting their mobility.Vero Beach Today

Residents of Vero Beach, Florida are petitioning the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to reinstate a proposed sidewalk along State Road A1A after it was recently eliminated. The sidewalk was intended to provide a safe path for children to access nearby amenities like a 7-11 store, restaurants, and a local park, but its removal has forced them to cross the busy road directly through traffic.

Why it matters

The lack of a sidewalk along this stretch of State Road A1A jeopardizes the safety of local children and families, who now must navigate the busy road without a dedicated pedestrian path. This issue highlights the ongoing challenges many communities face in ensuring safe infrastructure for pedestrians, especially in areas with high traffic volumes.

The details

Vero Beach resident Michael Newman has been vocal about the sidewalk's elimination, noting that his own children can no longer safely ride their bikes to nearby destinations without having to cross the road directly. The FDOT's decision to remove the proposed sidewalk has prompted local residents to start a petition calling for its reinstatement to protect the community's children.

  • The proposed sidewalk was recently eliminated by FDOT officials.
  • Vero Beach residents have since started a petition calling for the sidewalk's reinstatement.

The players

Michael Newman

A Vero Beach resident who has voiced concerns about the elimination of the proposed sidewalk and the impact it has on his family's safety.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

The state agency responsible for the decision to eliminate the proposed sidewalk along State Road A1A in Vero Beach.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My kids love to ride bikes and right now have to cross A1A through traffic to get to the west sidewalk in order to get to 7-11, restaurants, the park, etc.”

— Michael Newman, Vero Beach Resident

What’s next

The Vero Beach community is continuing to circulate the petition and advocate for the FDOT to reconsider its decision and reinstate the proposed sidewalk along State Road A1A.

The takeaway

This situation in Vero Beach highlights the ongoing challenges many communities face in ensuring safe pedestrian infrastructure, especially for children. The elimination of the proposed sidewalk has forced local families to choose between risking their safety by crossing a busy road or limiting their mobility and access to nearby amenities.