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In a recent episode of the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust’s (CITT) podcast, Mobility Matters, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Miami Lakes Town Manager Edward Pidermann to explore how one of Miami-Dade’s most dynamic municipalities is using the “half-penny” People’s Transportation Plan (PTP) funds to improve mobility and the town’s quality of life.
During our informative discussion, Pidermann – a long-time Miami Lakes resident and former firefighter – shared how the town has grown into a model of multimodal connectivity and municipal innovation, transitioning from traditional circulator buses to a fully on-demand transit system through a partnership with Freebee, a locally-grown provider of micro-transit services.
The popular fare-free service now connects riders to key regional transit systems, such as the Palmetto Metrorail station, providing essential first-and-last-mile service.
“The use of that (Freebee) to connect to the Palmetto Metrorail (station) has really exploded over the last year,” Pidermann said of the on-demand service.
But mobility in Miami Lakes goes far beyond transit. Pidermann detailed how the town has embraced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, thanks in part to PTP investments. Projects include shared-use paths, safe routes to school, and newly redesigned corridors with narrower lanes, shade trees, and seating areas — all aimed at encouraging active transportation and improving neighborhood livability.
We also explored the challenges Miami Lakes faces in being landlocked by major highways and the efforts underway to improve east-west connectivity within the town. Pidermann discussed long-range plans involving the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Greater Miami Expressway Authority (GMX), where he serves as a board member, to ease congestion and create new local access to the Gratigny Parkway.
Beyond mobility, our conversation touched on Pidermann’s deep roots in Miami Lakes and his service through the Miami Lakes Optimist Club, where he coached youth sports and helped foster a strong sense of community. From transportation policy to local legacy, this episode spotlighted how vision, leadership, and partnerships can shape the future of movement not only in Miami Lakes, but throughout Miami-Dade.
To watch the full episode (No. 88) of this podcast, visit CITT’s YouTube channel @TransportationTrust.
To learn more about the Town of Miami Lakes, visit www.miamilakes-fl.gov.
To explore CITT initiatives, visit www.miamidade.gov/CITT.
