ORLANDO, Fla. — Parking at the University of Central Florida, like any school, can be a headache.

But some students, like senior Lina Giles, say biking or walking to campus isn’t much easier.

“It’s not very pedestrian friendly,” she said.

What You Need To Know

  • UCF senior Lina Giles says it can be dangerous to bike to school due to traffic

  • Data show that there have been 34 pedestrian-related crashes on Alafaya Trail and University Boulevard near UCF in the past five years

  • Orange County officials say plans are in place to make improvements, including enhanced crosswalks, wider sidewalks and mid-block pedestrian crossings

Giles says it’s difficult to bike to campus from her apartment, just a mile away.

“I’ll take my bike every now and then, but especially leaving my neighborhood here, there’s not any sidewalks and I have to go against traffic sometimes,” she said. “It freaks me out sometimes.”

Instead Giles said she often takes her car, but would prefer to take her bike.

The problem is, trying to bike along Alafaya Trail is dangerous, she said.

“Honestly it’s a really stressful situation sometimes because you really never know whether drivers are paying attention, whether they’re on their phones,” said Giles. “So you really have to keep an eye out to make sure you’re paying attention in case they aren’t.”

Crash data from the area shows that Giles has reason to be apprehensive.

MetroPlan Orlando found 34 pedestrian-related crashes on Alafaya Trail and University Boulevard, just near UCF, in the past five years. Of those crashes, 12 resulted in someone dying or being seriously hurt.

“I see people running across the road or just simply walking across the road, looking like they’re not in a hurry at all,” said Giles.

That’s why Orange County officials say they are planning to improve safety on University Boulevard and Alafaya Trail near UCF, with enhanced crosswalks, wider sidewalks and mid-block pedestrian crossings.

Plus a fence will be installed in the median to prevent people from jaywalking.

“It would probably stop people jaywalking,” said Giles. “And it’s sad that we have to worry about the pedestrians, instead of trying to teach the proper behaviors to the drivers. Because the drivers are really the one with the power.”

New pedestrian-scale lighting is also included in the project.

MetroPlan Orlando found in this area, 92% of the fatal and serious injury crashes involving pedestrians during the past five years were in dark conditions.

County officials say construction is expected begin in the first half of 2023, and should take about a year to complete.