Introduction to Florida’s Road Art Controversy
Florida has been at the center of a controversy surrounding road art, with the state ordering the removal of various pavement artworks, including a rainbow crosswalk at the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando and bike lanes designed by students. The decision has sparked debate, with many questioning the reasoning behind the removal of these artworks.
Background on the Art Contest
In May, two Lake Nona fourth graders won a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) art contest, which allowed them to see their designs painted on bike lanes outside their school. The colorful images, however, had a short shelf life, as the state has now ordered them to be painted over. The FDOT-sponsored art contest was part of a state initiative to reduce transportation injuries and deaths.
The State’s New Push
The state’s new push to remove "pavement art" and other roadway markings has led to the painting over of the rainbow crosswalk at the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando and has put about 400 more road art projects around Florida on a potential removal list. The Lake Nona kid-designed bike lanes are among 18 in the city of Orlando required to be removed by next week. Jim Gray, the Orlando city commissioner who represents the Lake Nona area, expressed surprise that the state targeted the bike lane art, given that it had sponsored the art contest.
Reaction from Officials
Gov. Ron DeSantis has been unapologetic about the plans to paint over the student-designed school crosswalks, including dozens in Tampa. At a press conference, he stated that the decision was a change in policy and that he did not think the kids were doing anything wrong. FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue also emphasized that pavement art was no longer allowed, citing a new law and standard.
The Impact on Communities
The removal of these artworks has sparked concern among communities, with many seeing it as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression. The parents of the two girls whose artwork will soon be removed from outside Laureate Park could not be reached for comment. However, the school had held an assembly to recognize the students and their artwork, and the student artwork is contained within the bicyclist symbol typically found in a bike lane, featuring simple shapes and colors.
The Role of Politics
The controversy surrounding the removal of road art has also raised questions about the role of politics in the decision-making process. DeSantis has suggested that he did not like the message the rainbow crosswalk conveyed, stating that "we will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes." This echoes the message of the Trump administration, which has emphasized the need for consistent markings on the nation’s roads.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the removal of road art in Florida highlights the complex issues surrounding freedom of expression, politics, and public safety. While the state has cited safety concerns as the reason for the removal of these artworks, many see it as an attempt to suppress creativity and self-expression. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the state will balance these competing interests and find a solution that works for all parties involved.
FAQs
Q: What is the reason behind the removal of road art in Florida?
A: The state has cited safety concerns as the reason for the removal of road art, stating that it is no longer allowed under a new law and standard.
Q: How many road art projects are slated for removal in Florida?
A: About 400 road art projects are on a potential removal list, including 18 in the city of Orlando.
Q: What was the FDOT-sponsored art contest that allowed students to design bike lanes?
A: The contest was part of a state initiative to reduce transportation injuries and deaths, and it allowed students to see their designs painted on bike lanes outside their school.
Q: How have officials reacted to the controversy surrounding the removal of road art?
A: Gov. Ron DeSantis and FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue have been unapologetic about the plans to paint over the student-designed school crosswalks, citing a change in policy and a new law and standard.
Q: What is the impact of the removal of road art on communities?
A: The removal of these artworks has sparked concern among communities, with many seeing it as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression and creativity.
In May, two Lake Nona fourth graders won a Florida Department of Transportation art contest. Their prize: To see their designs painted on bike lanes outside their school.
The colorful images had a short shelf life. This week, Laureate Park Elementary School learned the state has ordered the youngsters’ street art painted over, part of a wide-ranging effort to remove “pavement art” and other roadway markings that Florida officials now say are unsafe.
The state’s new push led to the painting over of the rainbow crosswalk at the former Pulse nightclub in Orlando and has put about 400 more road art projects around Florida on a potential removal list. The Lake Nona kid-designed bike lanes are among 18 in the city of Orlando required to be removed by next week.
“When this came up, I said ‘Are we sure this is on the list?’” said Jim Gray, the Orlando city commissioner who represents the Lake Nona area.
Gray said he was surprised the state targeted the bike lane art — because it had sponsored the art contest.
He attended a spring assembly with the Laureate Park students, their parents and FDOT officials when the winners were revealed and said it was a “pretty big thing” for the kids.
The parents of the two girls whose artwork will soon be removed from outside Laureate Park could not be reached for comment.
Though Florida now insists road art is unsafe, the FDOT-sponsored art contest was part of a state initiative to reduce transportation injuries and deaths. The department posted photos of the students and their artwork to Facebook in May, celebrating their designs and FDOT’s collaboration with Orlando.
The school held an assembly to recognize the students and their artwork and shared the designs on social media, too. The student artwork is contained within the bicyclist symbol typically found in a bike lane, and contains simple shapes and colors. One design had a girl riding a bike with a flower-decorated helmet and wheels.
“As a driver, you definitely notice the colorful designs on the road. They are beautiful!” one parent commented on the school’s Facebook post congratulating the students in May.
Other student-designed school crosswalks must be painted over too, including dozens in Tampa. Gov. Ron DeSantis was unapologetic about those paint plans at a press conference Tuesday morning in that city.
“We have a representative system of government. People elect their representatives, they’re able to enact legislation with the governor’s signature,” he said. “I don’t think those kids were doing anything wrong, I think it’s just a change in policy.”
When the Pulse crosswalk was painted over, DeSantis went further, suggesting he did not like the message the rainbow conveyed.
“We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes,” he said.
That echoes the message of the Trump administration, which in July said it wanted consistent markings on the nation’s roads, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy tweeted that “taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks.”
But now hundreds of other road projects with decorative paintings but no obvious political message are slated to be removed too.
FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said Tuesday that pavement art was simply no longer allowed.
“Anything that was previously permitted, installed or awarded — anything you can bring up from the past is essentially irrelevant now, because we have a new law, and we have a new standard,” Perdue said.
Ryan Gillespie of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
<p>Originally Published: August 27, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT</p>
