ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida streets are getting a splash of color and creativity, thanks to a new safety initiative from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
On Wednesday, FDOT unveiled student-designed bike lane icons at Avalon Elementary School in Orlando as part of National Bike Month.
The designs, created by elementary school students from six Central Florida schools, were selected through a regional contest aimed at promoting bike safety and awareness. Students who won the contest received certificates and were recognized alongside their families during the unveiling ceremony.
“I hope that the kids will wear their bicycle helmets and put their bike lights on,” said Libertad Acosta-Anderson, Passenger Operations Manager for FDOT District Five. “We want everybody to make smart choices, no matter how they choose to travel.”
One of the winning designs featured a dragon riding a bicycle, created by fourth-grader Jacob Hughes.
“There are a lot of details I’ve added to it. There’s a little horn on the helmet,” Hughes said, beaming with pride.
Another student winner , Chin Yang, encouraged her peers to stay creative.
“Don’t turn down on your dreams. I really thought this was just going to be a cool drawing and not going to win — and it ended up winning. So don’t give up on your dreams,” she said.
The student-designed icons are part of a broader FDOT initiative to encourage safe cycling and pedestrian practices across the region. FDOT says these events support its “Target Zero” campaign, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Florida roads.
“Safety is the most important thing we do at the Florida Department of Transportation,” Acosta-Anderson said. “At the end of the day, we just want everyone to get home safely.