Cyclists Court Death Daily

Don't worry fellow greeners,,,with the world economy heading toward collapse and the distribution of plentiful crude oil being knocked to it's knees, gas will be over five bucks a gallon sooner than later. There will be an eery quiet on the roads then,,,at least until companies like Suzuki, Honda, Toyota and Tata of India start cranking out those micro cars that will exceed 50 mpg. Yup,,we'll all be in little box cars eventually that will have speed sensors guided by GPS to not allow you to exceed the posted speed limit in that area. And heavy industry will move on to hybrid trucks that are stingy on diesel to move the necessary goods ,,,the cost will be passed on to us all. Bicyclist are on the cutting edge here, smartly living close enough to their place of employment to sprint to work without being dependent on the gas pump. Me...? I have two bad knees from thinking I was Evil Knievel Jr. as a kid on motorcycles. So I make a compromise,,,I zoom to my job each morning at 30 plus MPH on this and save my car for Saturday night. check out the pic here............... http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=image&file=1_Bad_Bike.JPG

I ride my bike just about everyday as it's my main means of transportation. I do own 2 cars as well, but, biking wins hands down. Unfortunately, it is down right dangerous. Recently, I was almost run over by a city transit bus which deliberately forced me unto the curb. It was a miracle that I was not run over. There is no bike lane on A1A where I was riding. We need bike lanes throughout the city and we need to educate all drivers that bike riders must be respected. Also, many, many bikes are regularly stolen, especially on Miami Beach. I have had at least 4 bicycles stolen, all which were locked.

Excellent story full of import and color. Especially liked these lines: - "... like a sprinkle of powdered sugar on a pile of manure" - "BPAC's monthly minutes read like the drafting of surrender papers." - "Here people drive all the time, and it makes them lonely," he says. "It's like a cloud of loneliness hanging over the city." Let's hope those in power take note. It's time Miami got its head out of its ass, and its ass on to a bike.

I have to deal with pretentious bike riders on our streets everyday. If I drove my car the way most ride their bikes I would have lost my license years ago. According to state law all cyclists must obey street signs. When was the last time you saw a bike rider stop at a stop sign or use a hand signal before making a turn? It gets worse. On weekends I have to deal with the Lycra brigade who either insist on riding on the street when there is a bike path right along side, or worse, ride two, three, four or more abreast blocking traffic. You want to ride a bike? Fine! Just get out of the way of those of us who have things to do.

quote: # You want to ride a bike? Fine! Just get out of the way of those of us who have things to do. Comment by Anthony — January 31, 2008 @ 11:22AM Anthony, you are a prick. Your trip by car is not more important than my trip by bicycle. The world would be a much better place without people like you.

I'm happy to see a story lie this. In December i was riding my bie and was struc by a car. It went unreporetd and I was left with no more bike and injuries. I felt helpless and hopeless, and still do.

"Anthony, you are a prick. Your trip by car is not more important than my trip by bicycle. The world would be a much better place without people like you." Really? Hmmmm....Lets see.... You are out joyriding and wasting more of the world's resources by riding your bike(Yep you use up 3X the energy per mile than the average car) You Break the Traffic Laws. You Hold up Traffic. .........And I am the prick? You have a pretty warped sense of humanity.

Thanks to all for the comments. Positive or otherwise, please keep 'em coming. Also, please leave your full name if you care to -- we'd like to print some of your thoughts in our Letters section, but we need a name. If you've already left a comment, feel free to email me with your full name, and where you live. Thanks again for the feedback, Isaiah

Anthony, I ride my bicycle TO WORK (you are not the only one with "things to do"), and when I ride in the street I don't break any traffic laws. I stop at the stop signs and traffic lights with the rest of the cars. Your generalizations are hasty and unfair, and it looks like you are prejudiced against cyclists. Sometimes it's downright scary to ride in the street. I've read many comments from people who say they were almost hit by a car, and I have not been an exception. For instance, I always stay in the right lane, which is supposed to be the slow lane, but there are drivers who speed by me anyway. There are drivers who, at the last minute, decide to make a sudden turn to the right, AND SOME OF THEM DO IT FROM THE CENTER LANE. There is no amount of prevention or compliance with traffic laws on the part of cyclists that could fix this. On the other hand, if I'm riding in the sidewalk and I want to cross an intersection, I have to assume that any approaching vehicle could make a turn in my direction, because almost none of the drivers use their turn signals. Despite all this, I wouldn't say that all drivers are ***holes. I own a car, and I'm very responsible and courteous when I drive it. And even if you encounter riders who break the laws, that doesn't grant you the right to be a jerk.

Hi There, I recently moved to Miami from New York and Boston prior to that. I was ecstatic to move to a city where I could bike to work year-round and even chose my apartment based on it's bikeable proximity to my new office. I was shocked to find zero bike lanes, hostile motorists, and disdain from locals about my interest in biking to work. However, I agree with Mike Lydon and am determined to continue my commute in a way that provides exercise and is an environmentally friendly mode of transport. I support Gabrielle Redfern and will clearly cast my vote for her due to her activist efforts. Motorists of course have a right to their opinion, but building bike lanes solves everyone's problems. It is significantly more hazardous for motors and cyclists alike when bikers are on the sidewalk. As almost every other major world city has demonstrated, bike lanes reduce accidents, air pollution, and provide a greater sense of community. I will continue to ride to work to support the movement. Best, Emily White

Quote By:Isaiah Thompson- Thanks to all for the comments. Positive or otherwise, please keep 'em coming. Also, please leave your full name if you care to -- we'd like to print some of your thoughts in our Letters section, but we need a name. If you've already left a comment, feel free to email me with your full name, and where you live. Thanks again for the feedback, Isaiah) Quote. I'm Glenn61.....Google my name,,,if you can...bitch...! Comment

excellent reporting on the sad state of miami biking. i ride almost daily in south beach, but it feels more like cautious creeping to avoid being killed by speeding cars and clueless pedestrians. i have lived here for a year and a half. in that time, i have suffered a dislocated elbow from falling off my bike on west ave and venetian causeway, one of the more bike friendly strips. i could have easily become a statistic that day. i also had an $800 trek mountain bike stolen out of the basement garage of my condo where it was locked. there was a rash of bike thefts there at one point, with more than 8 people losing their bikes. i then wised up and purchased a used $50 junker. it's ironic that, as unsafe as biking is in miami, there is evidently a big demand for bikes, judging from the high degree of bike theft. while i think bike lanes are nice, i don't feel safe in them. just because someone painted a white line in the road doesn't mean that cellphone talking drivers will notice you riding in the lane. i ride venetian causeway and sometimes downtown miami where it is always an obstacle course with all the construction. i have biked to key biscayne, coconut grove and along old cutler road. it's really not safe anywhere. mainly, i stick to puttering along the rollerblade sidewalk along ocean drive and weaving in between the pedestrians on lincoln road. at least, i don't fear being struck by a car there.

Great, great article! After being run over last summer by an SUV-driver who didn't want to "share" the road (which cyclists have just as much of a right to use!) I've been reluctant to ride as often. The support and encouragement of fellow cyclists and the Emerge Miami group was the kick in the pants I needed to get on the bike again. I agree that more bike lanes are needed - but perhaps we need some public education as well. We need a campaign that creates awareness about sharing public roadways, in addition to the bike lanes. I really appreciated this article, Isaiah, particularly your attention to the scores of people who cycle not by choice, but by necessity. The city belongs to them, and to us, as well.

I have been commuting on my bike since 9/11 and granted maybe it's a locale issue, I ride from Pinecrest to Brickell and back at nite, but frankly I found the article ridiculous. How do you write a giant atricle about bike-travel in Miami and completely disregard the fabulous MetroPath, which runs at least 8 miles along South Dixie and is pedestrian ONLY??? And then not a word about the 25 mile South Dade Busway bike-path, which is also pedestrian ONLY! Honestly, I could not imagine better resources. Clean, safe, well maintained, barely bisected by streets, EMPTY (there are times when I ride 12 miles and see maybe two other bicyclists), convenient to hundreds of businesses, and if I get a flat the train is right above me! And you are COMPLAINING??? Actually, no, you are IGNORING, either because your intent is to mislead, or because you write a shoddy article. Really dissappointing stuff, and slanderous to a place where you actually CAN commute with ease, which is rare in Florida. Frankly, I agree with the guy in the article who cursed out the idiot riding slowly in the road on a bike. I don't want to 'share the road' with people who are IM'ing and yakking on the phone and sipping coffee and selecting a cd and Nav'ing up dinner reservations, and they don't want me in their way either, a match made in heaven. And a 4 inch wide white stripe don't make me feel that much better about it. Thankfully we have those GREAT dedicated bikepaths that you musta...missed? PS: Check out the Snapper Creek canal path while you are at it, they just put in lights! I didn't read that you noticed though... Maybe we are just better served on the south side, I sure don't know, and I sure don't trust your opinion on it either! I speak from 30,000 miles of experience all commuting in Miami. You should be ashamed of yourself. Terrible half-truth journalism. I invite you to accompany me for a weeknite commute down the fantastic Metropath, you might cheer up and write something POSITIVE. I should be easy to find, I head south from 1401 Brickell at 5:30 every night, and I'm the only one doing it!

I was hoping that the article might give some tips to people that are considering actually commuting. Truth is that if you pick the right route and follow a few tips the trip isn't so bad. I'll leave this comment as a guide for people who would consider biking to school/work in the Miami area. Firstly, those harsh stats that the article starts off with can be mostly blamed on riders with horrid practices. For example, I've been biking and I've seen some younger kids riding (towing each other on pegs) at night with no lights which makes me think to myself.. "Damn those must be the ones that get smashed up." At night riding without lights is straight up suicide. Don't do it. Also I can understand the shock-style to get people's attention author, I don't blame you for One thing that might make or break your efforts is the route you pick. If you plan on joining the commuting by bike people like myself just use google maps and find a route that takes you through roads less traveled. There is a very nice guide here that covers everything you'll need to know in great detail, if you decide to give it a shot: http://www.runmuki.com/commute/ Another useful tip is stay away from the sidewalk at all costs. Cars do not mind you if you are there and most of the time you have to cross streets and they just turn like usual noting you once they have finally hit you. Also there is a bike path along coral way starting around 87th avenue west past FIU, please avoid that, it's fairly dangerous. It's build along apartment buildings where cars randomly enter with complete disregard to anything that might be on that path. Continuing with sidewalks, my general experience on the matter is that when you are on the sidewalk making your way through motorists see you and believe they take precedence. When you are on the road they see you and you are in their way. All of a sudden you are something to deal with. It's better this way even though some people like Anthony might get irate. The truth is that the majority of the people that come near you avoid you with comfortable spacing. I also highly recommend a rear view mirror. This helps since you can see who is behind you without having to break pace. You can also keep a close eye on them. If they haven't slowed down or veered in their path as they are approaching you chances are they haven't seen you. Keeping an eye on them helps you know what they are doing and it helps you make a choice on what to do in case an emergency comes up. And finally, no matter the education level of the general populace in regards to bicyclists' actual right to be on the road, there will always be people like "Anthony" out there. It's funny that he mentioned to get out of the way for people that "have things to do." I mean really I won't even address that. Just know that they are out there, and ironically the best way to deal with them is to get in their way. They definitely don't care about your well being but they don't want to be held liable for any damages or injuries so they'll avoid you. In the case that I see someone approaching closely I take a bit more of the lane and right when they are about to pass me I shift over to the right close to the edge to give my self comfortable spacing. Anyways hope the tips help, if you want more info email me at ultraviolet16 at gmail, I have a bunch of web resources. And, I'm interested to start an FIU critical mass group. If you commute to FIU and are interested in helping please get in contact. Author, if you would like to assist I'm more than willing. Regards, Richard

Nice article Billy G! Keep up the great research and writing. See you on trail. ononTW

Isaiah, I am glad to finally see an article like this coming into the mainstream press. With the exception of the New Times and the Sun Post, there is no such coverage regarding the lack of bicycle infrastructure within Miami Dade County. Articles related to transportation are limited to cars, trains. and trucks. Before any of these forms of transportation existed, people use to transport themselves by foot and bicycle. The truth of the matter is that bicycle (and pedestrian) infrastructure is non-existent in our city when compared to other major cities throughout the United States. We are, in fact, about 10 years behind most major cities. The Metro Rail path on US 1 is an absolute joke. It was built years ago and has been terribly neglected. The Rickenbacker Causeway, the most popular bicycling route in the county, is also a perpetual disaster. The Public Works department has been promising for years that there would be a single continual bicycle lane. It’s sad to say, but they only seem to get serious about fixing this route when either people are killed or injured. And even so, it’s only a temporary fix, until the next accident occurs. There modus-operandi is reactive rather than proactive. Painting bicycle lanes on our roads will raise the public awareness that bicycles do belong on our streets. Most motorists seem to think that bicycles do not have the right to share the road. Bicycle lanes would allocate space on our wide roads for bicycles and by default would educate the general public (motorists and bicyclists) that bicycles do belong on our streets. It seems like most of our public officials and hard-head administrations (i.e. City of Miami Beach) are living in the past, believing that building parking garages and more roads for cars is the solution to our transportation conundrum. What we need are visionary officials that understand that this type of urban development is coming at a detriment to the livability of our city. If Miami wants to become a competitive city, attracting talented and educated professionals, as well as companies which employee skilled labor, it needs to improve the general quality of life for its current and future residents. Problems with traffic, parking, and increasing oil prices are becoming an economic, as well as a quality of life issue, which needs t to be addressed urgently. Bicycle lanes are just one step in the right direction…

Thanks for the article Isaiah, To expand a little bit upon the Critical Mass rides that Emerge Miami hosts every Second Saturday, please check out our Meetup page at www.criticalmass.meetup.com/40 For anyone interested, we are doing a historic ride through Overtown, meeting at Government Center and breaking at the North Side Green Market. We have been hosting these rides for over a year and a half now, and it's great to read about other organizations working toward the same cause. On a personal note, I've ridden throughout Miami & Miami Beach, but I can't say that I've encountered hostile motorists, felt in danger of losing my life, or have been too deterred by the lack of bike lines to stop me. Maybe I've been lucky?? Regardless, come out to our rides so we can network and find ways to prove that Miami has a significant biking population in demand of more lanes.. Thanks! Bruce

Dear Fellow Cyclists, Once again, due the negligence of our already infamous Pubic Works department, another cyclist was badly injured on the Rickenbacker Causeway today. A 53-year-old woman either broke or dislocated her shoulder, in addition to suffering many cuts and scrapes to her arms, legs, and hands. Paramedics were already taking care of the injured woman when I arrived. When I initially saw the accident scene in the distance I already knew what the catalyst of the accident was. About a year ago the Public Works Department did some repairs to a section of roadway which lies just after a bridge joint on the NW side of the causeway as one is heading back to Miami. The repair job happened to be in the bicycle lane/shoulder. As with every one of their half-assed projects on the Rickenbacker Causeway, when they went to re-asphalt the repaired section of roadway they slacked. The result: a very uneven section of roadway which can be deadly when going down on a bicycle at speeds of 20-40mph. I will send the Public Works Department and other the County Officials another email on Monday morning pointing out their negligence and total disregard for public safety. They will give me some recycled political rhetoric as a response, then they’ll go out and fix the problem, then kick back until another accidents occurs six-months from now. The modus operandi of this department is reactive rather then proactive. Please write to the Public Works Dept, County and City Commissioners telling them you want to see safe bicycling infrastructure. It’s the only way things are going to change! They need to hear it from the public. Be Safe Felipe

"The result: a very uneven section of roadway which can be deadly when going down on a bicycle at speeds of 20-40mph." Why would you be doing 20-40 MPH? The bridge is clearly marked with a sign that says that you must walk your bike over the bridge. I find it impossible to fathom that a considerate cyclist would ever break the law!

Great article, Billy G -- Enjoyed hearing from different members of the local cycling community. I've ridden bikes in suburban NJ (talk about density!), agricultural Ohio (where sometimes you wouldn't SEE another car, much less get passed by one; there were, however, the occasional rednecks who threw beer bottles from pickup truck windows as they rolled by), and Florida. Note that the past tense applies to Florida, as well as those other places I don't live anymore. Daily Double and I rode A1A for a couple of years in the mornings, and we learned that to avoid the crazies, we had to ride earlier and earlier and earlier. We finally arrived at a safe time: if we left home by 4:30 am, we could make it home before the madness of rush hour. To be fair to the cars, some of the madness on A1A comes from the spandex-clad gang: they commonly run lights and stop signs and have been known to cut other cyclists off, all to maintain their desired cadence. (I hear some have been ticketed for moving violations.) At least Fort Lauderdale is more bike-friendly than Miami, so I guess we're lucky there...but I can't remember the last time I had my road bike ON the road, and that's a shame. Kudos on a job well done -- Q-Tits

Excellent article - thank you for shedding light into this alternative method of transportation and the issues Miami faces. A how cyclists come in all shapes, forms and background! I'll be sure to forward to others. And for those afraid to cycle with traffic - here is an idea that comes once a year.. last Sunday we took advantage of Miami's ING runner's marathon to safely ride the streets of SoBe, Brickell and Miami for a one-of-a-kind experience. Till next year, ride safely everyone!

I was delighted to see an article covering the topic of bicycling in Miami. Not a day goes by where I do not think to myself what a wonderful city Miami could be if only it were not for the madness on the streets, and especially the mad Miami motorists. This city truly could be the ideal place for year-round biking. However, the hostility on the streets and poor city planning make it impossible and life-threatening. Like others on this board, I have long ago made the choice to restrict my bike rides to the safe and enjoyable sidewalks of Ocean Drive and South Beach's South Pointe Park Path. Here is a thought I have harbored for long: would it not be great if the sidewalk path didn't stop for bikers on the wooden boardwalk? Can you imagine riding your bike for miles along the ocean, covering miles along one of the most scenic path the US has to offer? Miami has years to catch up. While the efforts of cities such as Portland, Seattle, Chicago and NYC are honorable, one should look across the pond to see that the future could be bright. Picture cities where bikes are not merely recreational devices, but serve workers as to-and-from work transportation, children heading to school in large groups, mothers going shopping with a baby in the back, youngsters going out on a night of celebration (having a beer and biking goes together perfectly well), and anyone else going about their daily business. Without polluting, without endangering fellow folks on the road, and, on top of it all, keeping in shape. This is currently happening in cities in Germany, Sweden, and Holland. I truly hope, for the best of Miami, for the health and growth of this city and its residents, that one day, biking is possible without fear and without disrespect from motorists padded in several layers of metal. On this day, however, I would not recommend it to anyone.

Quote from Anthony: "Why would you be doing 20-40 MPH? The bridge is clearly marked with a sign that says that you must walk your bike over the bridge. I find it impossible to fathom that a considerate cyclist would ever break the law!". Have you been on I-95 lately? Do you see cars going less than 80 mph ? Please, don't point the finger at us when you know damn-well that motorists break speed limits without even a thought. Also, (legal or not) - I do not agree with any posted signs that prohibit my right to travel freely on my bicycle. We are all Americans, I don't agree that any city has the right to tell me that I can't use a PUBLIC ROADWAY just because I am not in a motor vehicle. If I am prohibited from using a public roadway, then it is not really public is it?

I started working as a bikemessenger in downtown Miami two years before Chad Cunha http://www.miaminewtimes.com/photoGallery/index.php?id=883219&p=4 was born. At the time I started, I lived in North Miami; doing most of the sixteeen-odd mile (R/T) commute by bike on Biscayne Boulevard. I did this for about sixteen years. (For the past nine years I've lived just ten minutes west of downtown). On this basis, I would offer the following thoughts on the article and enusing commentary. Isaiah wrote: "...to ride in Miami is to be among the few and the hunted..." and... "...(young urban planner Mike)...Lydon moved to the area last spring, everyone told him he was crazy to bike to work, that riding in Miami was suicide." Comment by Richard — February 1, 2008 @ 01:16AM: "...those harsh stats that the article starts off with can be mostly blamed on riders with horrid practices." "The truth is that the majority of the people that come near you avoid you with comfortable spacing." Comment by Bruce Stanley — February 2, 2008 @ 11:02AM: I've ridden throughout Miami & Miami Beach, but I can't say that I've encountered hostile motorists, felt in danger of losing my life, or have been too deterred by the lack of bike lines to stop me. Maybe I've been lucky?? Sorry, Isaiah, but while your perspective may be pervasive, it's impertinent--and frankly, a bit melodramatic. Bruce and Richard are a lot closer to the objective truth in my experience. I must admit, I'm a bit puzzled by Bruce's failure to encounter hostile motorists. I would speculate that as each individual has his own approach to cycling, each would draw a different response from a given motorist. It's important to note, I would suggest, that you will draw markedly different responses from those for whom driving is integral to their work on the one hand (cabbies excluded), and those who only drive as their main if not exclusive means of transportation. Bruce gets to the core issue: three dimensional space. If you take a tape measure out to the vast majority of the public roads in Miami-Dade, you can see for yourself that the width of the majority of motor vehicles + your shoulder width + a reasonable space between is less than the width of the right lane. But these are the conclusions a private individual. Of what use could they possibly be when "A county map produced in 2001 grades every major Miami-Dade roadway based on traffic speeds and shoulder widths. Streets that receive an A for bikeability are drawn in black; those that get a D or worse are in red. The map is blanketed in red."? The county map, of course, being a product of bureaucracy, is taken to be irreproachable. I find that if I fulfill my obligation to keep to the right and within reason minimize the amount of space I occupy, the grand majority of the time, this allows the motorists ample space to pass. Indeed, most motorists on most roads I frequent seem to do so as a matter of course. Of course, then there are the likes of "Anthony". Reading between his lines, he most likely would find my particular approach to cycling especially vexing. I may stay out of his way in the literal, material sense. But unlike Virginia, who avers: "...when I ride in the street I don't break any traffic laws. I stop at the stop signs and traffic lights with the rest of the cars.", I'm quite adept at taking advantage of---how shall I phrase it---"unused space", particularly at busy, complex intersections. Or as "Anthony" would say, "holding up traffic", while "out joyriding". Back to the article: ...a driver revs his car engine and pulls in front of us. The passenger's head juts out the window. "You don't bike in the middle of the fucking road, bitch!" he yells, and the car tears off. says Redfern, pedaling calmly, "at least we made him slow down." Why in the world would you want a motorist to ever slow down? The faster they go, the sooner they're out of threatening position.

I didn't mean to cast dispersions on Ms. Redfern. I appreciate her efforts. I've been cycling on the Venetian Causeway regularly; It, and Miami Beach on the other end, are noticably more bike-friendly. Back to the article: "...somebody someone knows is hosting an art show — which also might have booze." I was disappointed that no one would come along to the "Art for Peace's Sake" http://miami.indymedia.org/news/2007/11/9783.php exhibit. There was a much more profound and compelling reward to be had than mere "booze". This 600 ft. mural, a product of 12 years work by the self-taught artist Anna Houng, brings home the horrors of war to our insolar realm, and inspires the advocacy of peace. Anna, a refugee from the Vietnam war, knows war first-hand. Unfortunately, the exhibit is now closed. It will move on to New York City and Washington D.C. later in the year. Those of us who have been deeply affected by this exhibit and brought together by it have resolved to carry on in it's spirit: http://3rd.iwarp.com/peaceStand1.html Saturday, February 16th from 12-3pm 200 of us will gather at 1620 Washington ave. 60ft.X 14ft. photographic portrait with the Peace Mural as a backdrop. Please join us.

I recently returned to South Florida after six years in Chicago. I got tired of living in a city that was flat, built on a swamp, right next to a big body of water, with lots of corruption ... I biked to work regularly in Chicago and thankfully I can bike here as well with little grief, since most of my short commute is by bike lane. I agree with several of the folks who have already posted - there's a lot of doom and gloom statements about the dangers of biking here, and yet the reality in my time back has been far different. Rather than reiterate the many excellent points made above, I submit this - it appears that indeed there is a critical mass here (and at least two Critical Masses!) to instigate the changes needed to make South Florida a better place to bike. In Chicago the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has done an excellent job of lobbying, of education, of sponsoring bike events that appeal to the spandex crowd, the Critical Massers, and the working class folks who view their bikes as a necessity, not a luxury. Do we have a South Florida Bicycle Federation? We sure as hell can bring one into being. Can we instigate the Miami equivalent of Bike the Drive here? We have a mayor who thinks he can replicate the Chicago renaissance here - and Bike the Drive, bike lanes, and a bike-friendlier environment has been part of that transformation (not to mention that in Mayor Daley the Younger, Chicago had a very bike-friendly mayor). I'm back. I'm here to stay. I want a bike-friendly world for my family and my kids. Anyone else for crafting the SFBF and effectuating that change? - Noah

Ken, I also use the M-Path and busway for a very similar commute to the downtown area. We've probably crossed paths at some juncture. Two points: Though riders like you and I are probably well adjusted to the M-Path, the tremendous lack of connectivity is a constant threat to new riders. Intersections such as Bird Road & US1 and Douglas Road & US1 are simply risky to cross, even for seasoned riders. Singage along the path is also nearly non-existant, evidenced frequently by the expressions on motorists' faces when you are in the crosswalk and they actually have to yield right of way. As one who rides the M-Path after dark, I am surprised that you advocate it as-is. Second, there is no doubt that the M-Path hosts great access and further potential, yet, like the busway, it only caters to riders that live in the small corridor in which it provides access. I happen to be lucky enough to utilize it. Granted, one could catch a Metrobus or the Metrorail, but that defeats the purpose and ideology of literally riding a bike to work. The fact is, on a city-wide scale, the biking infrastructure in Miami is light years behind other major metropolis areas in the United States. Fortunately, there are a few good people working among the ranks in Miami-Dade County and other independent organizations. There are many would very much like to improve the bicycling situation. Through communication and organization, it is very possible to transform Miami into the next Portland. It rests upon the shoulders of people like you and I to get active and push the issue. I also would have liked to have read about the joys of the Busway and M-Path, but Thompson and the New Times still deserve credit for bringing the issue out (with quite the attention-getting cover, I might add).

Obviously we all want change, why don't we do it then? AND, how can we do it?

How to bring about change? A start would be good old fashioned lobbying in "harmony" with radical activists. Think about how we had a major change in labor laws to allow workers to organize. In the '30s you had progressive changes in labor law because you had folks lobbying for legal changes and pointing to the guys taking over factories and engaging in sit-down strikes and saying "look, without recognizing us and legitimating this process, you're going to have anarchy." So - Chicago's Critical Mass and the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation (CBF) have that same sort of dynamic. One's a radical take over of the streets once a month in the Loop and beyond, and the other says "Come on - just give us Lake Shore Drive for one stinking day a year ..." An umbrella like the CBF is a start. I see that on Meetup.com we've got at least 200 folks interested in learning about one of the Critical Masses. Would most work with a CBF? Another is to find someone or someones who are on top of the federal funding. If ISTEA is like a lot of federal programs, there are ways to bugger up funding to get local goals. A nice start would be that Cutler Road path. Another - putting a bike path in poorer areas, where, as the NT article notes, traveling by bike is not a luxury, but a necessity. (How did we get bike racks on buses here anyway? Because the feds put up cash, or local activism? Seriously - I'd love to know how that happened in MDC.) Another way - reaching out to other groups that have overlapping interest. Jobs with Justice is interested in working with poorer communities and working class folks. That's a natural overlap for some biking issues. The Sierra Club - another natural fit. I'm certain there are other groups. Another - small but achievable concrete goals. Making cabbies sit through biker awareness training. Signage - share the road signs or yield to bikers signs, even where there are no bike paths (yet), plants the idea that we're out there and deserve respect from motorists. Demand mini versions of Bike the Drive. How about one Sunday or Saturday morning each month of Bike the Mile in the Gables, Bike the Grove, Bike Biscayne - pick the street. Make it a mini-version of Ciclovia. Entice the local stores to give a discount if you have a bike helmet. Put in bike racks - another symbol that bikes are welcome and expected. Put bike parking stickers on parking meters - every time someone feeds the meter they see that sign - or a bike parked there for free! Put out a bike-friendly routes map - hand it out, post it on-line for printing, put it in a handout at school. Get mainstream media to follow the New Times lead and put out some stories with depth, rather than "biker dead - news at 11!" coverage. I moved to Chicago in 1987. Apart from the lakefront, I don't recall it being the most bike-friendly place around. It did have the advantage of a lakefront free and clear from private land - we don't, and we probably cannot undo that in Miami. When I left in 2007, it was (and is) mind-boggling how supportive Chicago can be of bikers. It is riven with divisions based on race, class, and culture - sound familiar? - and yet progress is ongoing there. Someone there had to organize the CBF, organize that first Critical Mass, lobby that alderman or state rep, and to start the ball rolling. It's that time here. Where is the best place to shift this "conversation"? The EmergeMiami meetings? Critical Mass itself? Other ideas? - Noah

Tony, Glad to hear SOMEBODY other than me uses the M Path, and I'm guessing that you shared my astonishment at it's not being mentioned in the article. Folks, if you live and work on the south of the city and want to ride instead of driving, then forget the negativity and rejoice and read on. The M Path runs directly along the route of MetroRail from Brickell Station to Ludlam Road, continuously, and is bisected only where S Dixie is bisected, which is to say not-often. It is pedestrian-only, and is (contrary to what you have read) nicely maintained. It is not PERFECT. By far it's worst flaw is that it is utterly UNUSED by bicyclists, who instead appear more interested in complaining. There are bikeshops along the Path in several locations, in case you should get a flat, and every mile or so is a MetroRail station with attendants and bathrooms and security and...a TRAIN! Which is really kinda cool in the event you get tired or hurt or a flat or it starts raining. The path runs from Brickell south thru The Roads, the Grove, the Gables, and South Miami. No cars 12 inches off your hip. No cars, period. A guy might be walking his dog, this is high-drama on the M Path. Intersections, as Tony says, are dicey. Why? Well, nobody uses the path! Cars are in fact astonished to see me, yeah. I too am astonished to see another bicyclist on it! Granted, crossing Bird Road is worthy of Heller's Catch-22, there is no legal way to do it and live. It takes verve and skill. Having admitted that, I am just an ordinary guy and I have managed it 8 times a week for 6.5 years now, managed it today, will again tomorrow. Tony is absolutely right in that there are no paths remotely the same quality that are connected for east or west travel, which IS a shame. I ride the Ludlam sidewalk south thru Pinecrest and it is by far the most dangerous stretch on my ride. But lets start with the obvious, the M Path is a GEM of a resource. USE IT. PS: The county has hired a design team to improve it for bicyclists, they held a meeting and disclosed their plans and took suggestions. It will improve, which is remarkable, at least to me. The M Path unfortunately does get interrupted south of Ludlam, the Turnpike Extension just north of Dadeland Station disrupts it. It re-starts at Dadeland South station and connects to the South Dade Busway Path (which may in fact be called the M Path as well) and that thing runs un-interrupted to HOMESTEAD! Pedestrian only, as well. No cars. No painted stripe to protect you, no need for one. I cycled home today from Brickell to Ludlam, as usual. Tranquil, fast, empty, as usual. No risking death. No burning gas. No political agenda or complaining, just riding, instead of driving. In the Gables I often see Macaws near Riviera Drive. Is it perfect? Of course not! Is it excellent, absolutely. Frankly, most people don't even know it is there! Like Isaiah, apparently! Hahaha. Anyway, my view is that it is ridiculous to HAVE a great resource and to leave it utterly un-used, and to gripe that we need great resources. To my mind it makes far more sense to USE the resources that we have, demonstrate DEMAND (which is not demonstrated as I type), and argue for improvements based upon that demand. To me, what we should be focusing on now is demonstrating that demand. Frankly, I don't see it, not yet, not even close. There is me and Tony using M Path, oh yeah and some blond kid too. Seems like a waste of resources to maintain that path for us three. There should be 500 people commuting on that path, minimum. If there was, we could go to a gym downtown and prod them to offer a Commuter Package that was shower and locker. We could go to the commission or the mayor. But for a handful of us... To recap: a person might live near the Falls on SW 136st and work on Brickell and have a pedestrain-ONLY path that is removed from auto traffic and runs the entire way, 15 miles, with only one glitch, the 3/4 mile section from dadeland South Station to Ludlam Road. We have this NOW! And nobody uses it. If you plan to ride the M Path then I recommend a bike other than a liteweight, this is not a road, you do have to transition to the road and back onto the path, a hybrid or a hardtail mountain bike are both great choices. In addition, in winter it is dark in the evenings, you will need a good light both front and back, and a bell to alert walkers (who are generally listening to music). Also, I find that Tuffy liners in my tires are fantastic at cutting down on flats. Right-on-red will kill you in a NY minute, I pass BEHIND a car turning right, and cars travelling northbound which are turning left tend to look for a gap in southbound traffic and blast thru it...to find YOU in the crosswalk. Nobody said this was without ANY risk :) But remember the urban motorcyclists maxim: on the road, if you fall, you get run-over. On a pedestrian-ONLY path, if you fall, you get back up. Huge difference. As I tell my wife, I'm far safer on the M Path on my Trek than I am on South Dixie on my motorcycle. Good luck.

Hello Everyone, In response to a high level of activity in this comment section, I decided to suggest a different virtual meet point until we can come up with a better idea. This is the forum I usually post in for which I have no connection other than the fact that I participate in discussion quite often. The link is forums.roadbikereview.com and the link to the particular thread I started in response to this article is here: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=120019 This can be our central meet up point to discuss routes, plans, and future critical mass rides in the Miami area. Also, if anyone has webspace, I used to be a web programmer so I can setup a forum with the space for only our particular discussions and motivations..

Check that, I found a free web forum hosting site, so I started one: soflabike.proboards45.com Regards,

Ken, Right on. I agree with pretty much everthing you said. The area cut off by the Snapper Creek Expressway between Dadeland South & North can be bisected (from the south) by taking Datran Blvd (somewhat sketchy if you're not booking) and crossing Kendall to the dadeland parking lot (definitely the most dangerous part of MY ride!) The road wraps around to SW 70th Ave along Dadeland Station. The Road runs underneath the expressway, and leads to SW 80th Street. 80th reconnects with the M-Path at the highway. It is a bit of vehicular cycling, yes, but traffic does not tend to be extremely bad in my experience. It's a temporary solution, but I'm with Ken 100% that our presence indicates demand.

Gentlemen, With all due respect, I cannot believe you guys are actually saying that the M-Path on US1 is great. If you compare this bicycle path with the worst bicycle path in Denver, NY, or Washington DC, you would come to the conclusion that it is a joke too. Besides, once you get off the M-path there are no connecting bicycle paths or lanes going east or west. This is unacceptable. Mediocrity isn't gonna cut it with me. We need to demand more. Not give this crappy infrastructure praise. Sorry folks, this crap isn’t gonna fly with me. I know we can do better. I’m starting to think that those of you blogging about how great the M-path is might be working for the county.

Felipe, Honestly I doubt that the m-path guys are county workers, quite frankly WE are the only ones who care about this. Anyways about the mpath though, I have no ideas where this is guys so you can you please track it out in google maps? You can sign up for a google account and then you can save your own maps. I do that with my route and it even tells you the exact distance. It's pretty cool. Anyways I think that's a good way to share routes and honestly I'm interested to learn about that mpath because google says nothing! And, I can confess one thing that at this point can only be accepted on blind trust. I am by no means an affiliate or seeking to gain profit or any gain from setting up the forum I set up at http://soflabike.proboards45.com/ well actually I seek the gain of a better miami bicycling experience. I urge you to check it out and register yourself and introduce yourself in that site so we can all talk and get things going. No one has posted yet, I noticed one person signed up (thank you Tony).. I will be posting shortly.

"Have you been on I-95 lately? Do you see cars going less than 80 mph ? Please, don't point the finger at us when you know damn-well that motorists break speed limits without even a thought." Just because others chose to break the law that gives you the right as well? "Also, (legal or not) - I do not agree with any posted signs that prohibit my right to travel freely on my bicycle. We are all Americans, I don't agree that any city has the right to tell me that I can't use a PUBLIC ROADWAY just because I am not in a motor vehicle." So you are against all traffic laws? I suppose then it would be OK for you to ride your Schwinn in the left hand lane of I-95? Yes it is a public roadway but guess what? Driving a car on it is not a right. It is a privilege. You must have a driver's license. Stop being so ECOtistical and smug. You are no better than me. You deserve no special rights. So go hop on your Huffy and stay out of my way. If I am prohibited from using a public roadway, then it is not really public is it?

Anthony, Correct me if I'm wrong, but is your only objective in posting here to upset the bicyclists? Because really you hardly make any points and it seems like you are just desultorily bashing people's comments.

Folks, Please excuse Anthony's ignorant comments. They are illogical. He was dropped on his head at a very young age. Regards, Anthony Sr.

Felipe, You said you know we can do better and we should demand more. I agree with you 100%. If you were to re-read my initial comment, you would see that I was actually raising many concerns about the current state of the M-Path. Praise? Nope. Potential? Absolutely. The fact is that the M-Path works for me. I use it Monday through Friday, and even sometimes on the weekends. It is quite far from perfect, yet I am able to utilize it for my needs. With time, energy and resources, I believe the M-Path could be a catalyst for great things to come - including east/west lanes and paths. Change is certainly possible. In fact, MDT even hired a firm to conduct a study on improving the M-Path for pedestrians and bicyclists (for those interested, the report is available at http://www.miamidade.gov/MPO/docs/MPO_mpath_master_final_200707.pdf). But how do we get that kind of thing implemented? By going out there and riding, we present ourselves and show the city and county that a proper bicycling infrastructure is an important part of Miami-Dade's future. By attending public meetings and participating with local advocacy organizations, we further assert our cause. And, to clear things up, I certainly do not work for any city/county/state/federal government. I simply realized that I could a) ride my bike and be bitter, b) ride my bike and be complacent, or, c) ride my bike and be proactive. Everyone who rides in Miami has a choice. What's yours?

Hi folks: We all should feel sorry for Anthony. Wait, before you judge, remember the frustration we all felt as motorist. Physical the problems of traffic nightmares, rude & incompetent drivers, poor road planning & repair, and inadequate enforcement make everyone less than congenial. Physiologically, there are many factors which contribute to the attitude that Anthony and many others have acquired in this crazy urban landscape. I know that I was very frustrated and at times rude when I drove in urban traffic. I still get bent out of shape when run off of the road and nearly run over commuting on my bike. Citizens in wheelchairs or with baby carriages, pedestrians of all ages, and we who have chosen to ride deserve the same respect that Anthony would afford his family. Additionally, those mentioned above must be respectfully and aware of to the motoring public. It will be very interesting to review the comments on this subject and see if someone will provide a bike and a great and safe ride for Anthony. I will. Anyone care to join? What do you say Anthony? Best regards, Tom Good

I'm up for riding with Anthony as well. Count me in. Also we are starting to get some activity at the forum I started (soflabike.proboards45.com) talking about mostly similar things as here. Feel free to join everyone. So yes I can agree with your comments about upset drivers. I used to commute in car before and I remember how upset everything makes you feel, also how on edge everyone is. It really is a better way, through bike, but you just have to find the right path. I think that mpath is a gem. It's truly out of my way though so I can't use it for going to work, but I'm going to give it a shot this sunday to visit a friend in the Brickell area. I'm kind of concerned though since I have a road bike I'm not sure that the terrain is suited for the type of bike.

I think one of the most important things a cyclist can do is take a class on riding in the road. If you understand how to and where in the road you should ride you will do much better. On S FL roads and with its aggressive drivers poor road position can be deadly. There is a web site www.learntobicycle.com that is essentially an on-line bicycling class complete with video on road position, maintenance and more. Those of you want to advocate for better facilities I suggest you meet with FDOT's District Secretary to discuss why FDOT District 6 is not putting incorporating bicycle facilities into their road projects. FDOT is at the tailend of a lawsuit brought by bicyclists and the League of American Bicyclists to get them to include bike lanes in current project on A1A in Palm Beach. Last I heard it wasn't looking good for FDOT case, so they may be open to friendly discussion.

Been in Miami for a month after living all over the U.S., and can definitely say this urban clutsterfuck is the worst for biking. Grand Theft Auto has more traffic-calming. I mean, who designed every intersection with sweeping, you-can-go-faster-you-wimp curves? Does Castro like bikes or something, and so Miami was designed to destroy them? I've ridden the obstinately crooked Metro path often enough that I know better not even to bother looking ahead for other riders, but I will now knowing there are at least two good ones in existence. I was a day away from putting my mailbox on it and decorating it with inherited lawn ornaments. I echo what someone up there said: yeah it's a curvy, broken, abused spine, but let's give it some love. Anyway, great article and lively comments section (Anthony, yawn, you're about a 2 out of 10 in trying to be what you're trying to be). I'm so glad the writer included all walks of Miami life (I seriously cried for the construction worker, god bless him), not just people likely to post comments here (though lattes suck, it's just hot milk). And biking isn't for me some form of pilates or yoga or some new-age shit -- I've been doing it since I was 3.

I ride my bike as a pedestrian most of the time because that's the only way I can get to school and live. I live in Sweetwater and go to FIU, and the only way I can get to school reasonably is by crossing the canal at SW 8th Street and 107th Ave. Probably 1% of the drivers follow traffic rules by giving me or any of the other pedestrians right of way; none of the police cruisers have. 107th in general is a horrible place to ride because of random signs, horribly placed bus benches, trees, broken glass all over the sidewalk, and cars that inevitably pull too far forward and completely block the sidewalk. My supervisors have begged me to buy a car solely because they feel it's so dangerous, and sometimes it is. I've met those crazed, angry motorists. I learned how to ride a bike 6 months ago and have already been through a hit-and-run, many near misses, and had people drive up alongside me to shout at me to get on the sidewalk when I ride along the edge of the road through residential areas with spotty sidewalks--and let's not even bring up people who don't leash their dogs--all while obeying the rules. I don't know about in other areas, but where I live, when we're pedestrians, we're not given the rights of pedestrians; when we're traffic, we're not giving the rights of motor vehicles, and yes, while we're not motor vehicles, we are traffic, too.

Clark, Not sure if you know what a critical mass is, but when you have enough people, you go out on a huge ride and cause people actually notice you exist and to give you space. Strength in numbers I guess. Anyways I want to start a critical mass group at FIU. If you're interested please go to my website and register (soflabike.proboards45.com). I commute to FIU also, but not on the sidewalk. Also it's not from sweetwater so I can only imagine the crap you have to go through. Honestly I was considering getting a place there and really the only route I considered ok enough was through 109th ave straight into the north side of FIU. If I were you I would check out google maps for alternative routes to.. 107th good lord man stay away from that street.. It's practically a highway. Also I've had many people yell at me from their cars too. Whenever they tell you to get on the sidewalk just ask them to get on the sidewalk too, then you'll join them (honestly I usually just yell profanities at them :).

Richard, I already do know, and I ride in the one that Bruce in the comments and Adam in the article are leaders of that meets every second Saturday. If you want, you could go to their planning meetings and suggest a future ride in the FIU area. We'll need a big group, though, because it's a pretty harrowing journey, much more stressful for the minutes I'm on the road than the hours I've ridden with the group. I have checked alternate routes, and in my experience, the 109th bridge isn't great because pedestrians on the west side are hardly ever noticed by cars turning west because the cars are zooming over the bridge while getting ready to turn, and pedestrians are so rare that they're unexpected. I've tried riding north with traffic on 109th from 8th to SW 4th street, but the drivers are even worse dicks there. 107th and 8th is the safest route because I can use the large crosswalks (except when the fruit sellers put their stupid carts on the bridge or the FIU sidewalk and it's hard to get through to or from the crosswalk), and you're very right in saying that it's like a highway. If there were bike lanes on the north side of FIU, I would probably still ride on the sidewalk. Something needs to be done about the drivers first before I'll ride on the road.

Hello fellow bikers: To rectify the safety problems that have been addressed in this forum each person must take the appropriate steps with local government. I have been through the process many times with slow but good results. The more of you that get involved, the quicker the fix. First, when you find a trouble spot, take a few minutes and contact the public works dept. of the municipality that has responsibility for that location. Second, if you, or anyone you know was injured, make a legal claim for damages. Believe me that wakes up the bureaucracy. It's not difficult and well worth the time. Even accidents with minor injuries, if documented, will result in compensation. More serious injuries may require an attorney. Third, if you are not interested in keeping the money, it could be used to start a class action suit to awaken the local governments to our plight. At this time, I am awaiting (soon) a check that I will donate a portion of to such a suit. As a individuals we can make a difference, but, as a group we can present our concerns in a louder voice. It is very important to document and photograph areas that need fixing or that have caused injury. Additionally, use email to communicate with whatever agency that you are dealing with. In this way you have documentation to hold them accountable. The more people that contact such agencies, the quicker the response. Get your friends involved. It's worth the time and you will feel empowered for a change. I have pointed out, respectfully, many such dangerous locations to The State of Florida, The City of Miami, Doral, Miami Springs, and Miami-Dade County. Nothing moves as fast as we would like, but, all of these sites have been repaired and I now have the ear of many good civil servants. With best regards, Tom Second,

Comment for Isaiah: In regard to (Felipe Azenha, Feb. 2, Post # 19), I rode down the Key Biscayne bridge the day before this unfortunate and unnecessary accident involving the 53 young woman. I say young because at 53 she must have made it up the bridge, which is not a task that many people achieve overnight. I was riding with a new friend (John) and I saw the new black asphalt, as I neared the bottom of the the bridge. I have been riding for many years and knew, instinctively, that could be a dangerous spot. As Tom posted today, (#48), I was slow to report this problem to the public works dept. An orange cone would have saved this lady much pain and suffering. I hope she sues the county for big bucks. There are two large bike clubs in this area. South Florida Recumbent Riders and Everglades Bike Club have large memberships but it seems that most are not daily bike commuters. That's OK, but their support would be very helpful in making all biking safer and less stressful. As a member, I found your article on S.F.R.R forum which noted the Critical Mass part of your writing. I am going to post and ask our members to read your article and the comments in full. I hope that some will respond. Feel free to contact me. Great work, Bill

"'The result: a very uneven section of roadway which can be deadly when going down on a bicycle at speeds of 20-40mph." Why would you be doing 20-40 MPH? The bridge is clearly marked with a sign that says that you must walk your bike over the bridge. I find it impossible to fathom that a considerate cyclist would ever break the law!" I have never seen a sign like that on the Key Biscayne bridge. Might be something on the sidewalk, but sidewalks are for pedestrians. I ride on the shoulder, and the spot in question is on the shoulder. One could easily be going this fast coasting down the bridge, and AFAIK it is a legal speed on the shoulder.

Folks, We are getting some great activity at the following link: http://soflabike.proboards45.com/index.cgi I have posted my email treads to the Public Works Deptartment as well. It would be great if others could follow-up with my email. Remember, copy the media on your emails. Email address have been provided. Thanks, Felipe

If you want to know who and how to complain to about the present state of bicycling in Miami, go to this site: http://soflabike.proboards45.com I outlined everything. If you want to know about routes in the city that others like you take daily, go to the same site, it's growing. If you want to know who and where there are critical mass rides being formed go to the site, there is a section there where people are talking about it. If you want to join the MOVEMENT towards a safer cycling Miami, then by all means, just come join us, we want change, and we want it now!

To Bill & all others commenting on this article: Bill wrote..."I hope she sues the county for big bucks." Boy there's a great idea. Guess who she'll be suing? Guess who will be paying her those Big Bucks? This might take you awhile to understand but it will be you and me who will be paying her. Do you think the county geniuses will take the Big Bucks out of their pockets or pensions.....duh, no, they'll take it from us. Seriously, you folks need to understand who is king around here. Unfortunately, its the 4 wheel folks because they have all the money and no one really cares about bikes - face it. I ride and I wish we had $6 per gallon gasoline so people would quit sending $ to terrorists, stop clogging our roadways, and reduce global warming. But, I don't see anyone interested in raising the gas tax. Imagine, raise the gas tax and use the money to fund better cycling facilities and mass transit. Cyclists need to rethink their strategy. Demanding improved bike routes just ain't gonna work in this SUV community. You'll get government's attention just to shut you up, but there's no real money to develop what we need until the single driver car is replaced by mass transit and bicycling.

Comment by Robert Noval — February 4, 2008 @ 01:38AM: 'Why in the world would you want a motorist to ever slow down? The faster they go, the sooner they're out of threatening position.' A fast driver drives less accurately, and is therefore more likely to hit you. Also, the speed with which you're hit determines your chances of survival. 80% of people hit by vehicles going 30 mph survive, 80% of those hit by vehicles going 40 mph die. Given the use of urban streets as virtual freeways in South Florida, though, trying to slow the traffic down seems hopeless; side-road routes and separate-use bike paths are necessary, at least until the automotive culture of ignorance, unconsciousness, incompetence and hostility change.

I lived in Miami for a long time, and I hope that it does someday become bike friendly. I now live in San Fran, and it's great to live someplace with bike lanes and paths. I ride to work everyday in bike lanes, and while there are still cars and a-holes, bike lanes make the experience better for everyone. One thing that might help the people of Miami accept bikes more is if someone put together a COMPUTER MODEL of what a greener, more bike friendly Miami would be like. Photos are worth a 1000 words, and if people saw what Miami could be, I think more things might get done. For example a short computer simulation showing Miami with bikes everywhere, transit, etc. . The Anthony character who posted above is a personality type that will always exist. There are driver Anthonys, pedestrian Anthonys, and cyclist Anthonys. They all equally suck and should be avoided.