Getting Around Melbourne: Walkability, Public Transit & Biking

Melbourne, Florida, is largely car-dependent with limited walkable areas. The most pedestrian-friendly locations can be found in Historic Downtown Melbourne and a few residential neighborhoods such as Magnolia Park and University Park. These areas offer well-maintained, stroller-friendly sidewalks and a compact layout, making them suitable for short walking trips. However, outside these pockets, the city sprawls and lacks continuous walkable infrastructure, limiting the ability to conveniently access diverse amenities needed by travelers, like cafes or coworking spaces, on foot.

Public transit options in Melbourne are sparse. Although the Space Coast Area Transit system provides bus services throughout Brevard County, the routes are limited and run infrequently, often on an hourly schedule. For someone relying on public transport, this can lead to long waiting periods and difficulty reaching destinations efficiently. The coverage and frequency are insufficient for daily commuting, making it challenging for travelers who prefer or need to use public transportation as their main mode of getting around.

Melbourne's bike-friendliness is moderate, with some existing bike lanes and paths. Certain areas in the city have received recent improvements focused on enhancing bicycle safety, such as widening bike lanes and adding pedestrian crossings. However, significant gaps still persist in the biking infrastructure, which can make riding a bike feel unsafe or challenging in areas with heavy traffic and without dedicated lanes. While there are trails for recreational biking, the inconsistent infrastructure makes biking for daily tasks more difficult for travelers.