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.
Rumbles? No. AVPMs? Yes!
Huh?
OK , in English. Effective 2009 the Florida Department of Transportation will require “Audible and Vibratory Pavement Markings” on projects widening or resurfacing rural highways (state roads only). These are a huge improvement over the ground-in rumble strips that have been installed on some highways; the ground-in rumbles are treacherous for cyclists.
AVPMs are best described with a photo (click photo to enlarge).
The dimples or ridges create a sound that cyclists can easily hear when a car tire runs on the stripe, and the sound and even vibration transmits into the car’s passenger compartment as well. The dimples or ridges will not pose a safety problem for the cyclist riding over the stripe. (A number of cyclists on FDOT staff test-rode them to be sure!)
AVPMs can also be used in urban areas where run-off-the-road crashes are a problem, such as this curve on Tuskawilla Road in Seminole County. AVPMs could mitigate the run-off problem without creating problems for cyclists as (for example) these posts and raised pavement markers do.
Cycling Smackdown at the Bowling Alley
Central Florida cyclists will battle it out to raise money for advertising on Lynx buses to educate motorists on the 3 Foot Passing Law.
May 24th, 2008
4-7pm
Winter Park Bowl America
1111 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
(a mile east of I-4)
$20 per person donation gets you a bowling ball, lane, shoes and 3 games.
Cash prize: Top scorer wins $100! more »
You Bike to Work? Oh, You Poor Thing!
The folks at Streetsblog have posted a video of a recent State Farm Insurance commercial in which some poor guy must resort to (gasp!) biking to work due to the high cost of gasoline. They dressed him up as a cycling fashion tragedy to help make the point. more »
A1A: Losing a Skirmish, But Winning a Major Battle
The Florida First District Court of Appeal released its decision on Bruce Rosenzweig et al vs. FDOT today, and the news is mostly very good. The Court wrote:
Bicycle paths shall be established unless the Department exercises its discretion not to establish bicycle and pedestrian ways where any of the conditions in section 335.065(1)(b) are demonstrated. Accordingly, we agree with appellants’ interpretation of the statute and find that the Department’s discretion is limited.
The key point in that to my ears is “demonstrated.” The Department must now demonstrate that a particular project cannot include bike lanes and/or sidewalks, due to reasons of safety, excessive cost, or an absence of need. The Court also made clear that cyclists and pedestrians clearly have legal standing in such matters. Cycling and pedestrian advocates must still be watchful on projects, but now have a much stronger hand to force FDOT to prove any of those three conditions. Indeed, FDOT procedures have long required that Districts record any variation from the requirement to provide bicycle and pedestrian facilities; now the Court says they must do so as well. more »
Road I Course in Orlando
FBA is teaming up with the BOBbies women’s cycling group and Metroplan Orlando to host another Road I Cycling Course.
Here’s what Ironwoman Aylin had to say about the course:
I admit that the reason I came to the course was more to accompany my friend who I am introducing to road cycling, however to my suprise I got extremely good information out of it that will benefit and protect me while I am riding.
The 10-hour course will be held Friday April 4 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday the 5th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Metroplan Orlando’s downtown offices. Six spaces are still available as of March 25. The fee is $30.
Road I gives cyclists the confidence they need to ride safely and legally in traffic. The course covers bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat, on-bike skills and crash avoidance techniques, and includes a student manual. Recommended for adults and children above age fourteen, this fast-paced, nine-hour course prepares cyclists for a full understanding of vehicular cycling.
For more information go here.
Armstrong Starts Bike Shop for Commuters
Via Spokes ‘n’ Folks
Lance Armstrong has figured out the next stage of his life. He is busily preparing to open a bike shop in May that will cater to commuters in downtown Austin, Texas.
Armstrong said he’d like to see Austin evolve into a place like Portland, OR, where biking is part of the culture and people pedal to work, to restaurants and to run errands. “Walk outside, and the streets are lined with bikes — because they have a safe place to ride,” Armstrong said of the city long known for its bicycle-friendly amenities and policies.
So how does Austin get to that point? more »
A1A Bike Lane Lawsuit Update
ADVOCATE ATTORNEYS VS. FDOT HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT
The continuing saga of the A1A issue in Palm Beach County hit a high note Tuesday in Tallahassee when attorney advocates had their day in court. Before or after you read pro bono attorney and FBA member Jeff Lynne’s summary, visit this link to the video from the hearing, then go to:
07-1373 01-29-08 BRUCE ROSENZWEIG, BOCA BICYCLE CLUB, ET AL. v. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION, ET A
BRIEF SYNOPSIS:It became apparent during the hearing that the court did not agree either with FDOT’s interpretation of §335.065, Fla. Stat., or FDOT’s assertion that we do not have “standing” to challenge their failure to follow the law. The court did have some concerns as to the procedural irregularity of the hearing below, and questioned whether we sufficiently preserved the issue for appeal, but we were able to provide the court with a case on point after the hearing which we believe should alleviate those concerns. We remain cautiously optimistic based upon our collective impressions of how the hearing transpired, and hope for the best. more »
Obama Supports Cycling
from the web site Bike Europe:
US Presidential Candidate Obama Favours Bicycling
PORTLAND, US – Bicycle advocacies from city of Portland have unearthed a quote from US presidential candidate Barack Obama regarding his support for cycling.
He even seems to be the only one of the Democratic presidential candidates who explicitly encourages bicycle transportation in his energy plans. On the Republican side, the only mention of bicycles comes from Mike Huckabee, who told Grist, “I run and enjoy the outdoors and I often ride my bicycle to the store. My kids laugh at me and call me an old geezer, but I love it. Several years ago, I would have driven.”
A part of the quote of Obama’s energy platform:
“As president, Barack Obama will build upon his efforts in the Senate to ensure that more Metropolitan Planning Organizations create policies to incentivize greater bicycle and pedestrian usage of roads and sidewalks. He will also re-commit federal resources to public mass transportation projects across the country.”
Tallahassee Newspaper Reporter Gets It Right
Kudos to Tallahassee Democrat writer Gerald Ensley and to long-time cycling advocate Chris Sands for setting the record straight.
How it warms my heart to see the words: “bicyclists fare best when they obey the rules of the road and operate like other vehicles” in print.
