The Miami Tragedy

The story of the group of cyclists hit by a cab driver on Miami’s MacArthur Parkway has of course taken the Florida cycling community by storm, but we have to do what we can as cyclists to counter the perception that this a “bicyclist safety” story.  Focusing on this event as a bicyclist problem will only reinforce our culture’s belief that roadway cycling is a dangerous activity.

The average law-abiding cyclist is more likely to get skin cancer from sun exposure than to be hit by a car.

The real story here is how the State of Florida (and many other states) continue to permit tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of incompetent motorists to travel our roads.  This cab driver (who fell asleep at the wheel) could have just as easily hit a police officer writing a citation, a motorist fixing a flat tire, a pedestrian in a crosswalk, or someone working along the road.  On an undivided roadway he could have just as easily drifted left and killed a family in an oncoming minivan.

We are all endangered by such drivers, no matter how we travel.

All that aside, I know I can speak for all Florida Bicycle Association members, board members, and staff in wishing the victims the speediest of recoveries.

Ride strong people.