Bicyclists taking over the roads
What is this thing you see every weekend in the Grove: Groups of bicyclists taking over the roads, literally taking up one whole lane of traffic and not caring if they hold up long lines of cars.
Ever see this? It happens all along South Bayshore Drive and on Tigertail and Main Highway.
Ever see this? It happens all along South Bayshore Drive and on Tigertail and Main Highway.
posted by Tom Falco at 9:42 AM
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16 Comments:
Thank you for posting this. Ive read in the other thread about "speeders" that this really annoys people just like it annoys me. I agree with the last poster in the other thread who said that bicyclists need to stick to the side of the road in a single-file fashion. Riding in groups or alone in the lane is dangerous and quite inconsiderate, especially on Bayshore during the 5pm traffic blitz. If you really need to ride at that time, or if you ride with a kid like swlip does, why not stick to the backroads like tigertail (after 17th and heading north)? Thats a nice, quiet area with absolutely no traffic so you can ride in the middle of the road if you want. When I run, I run on some busy streets like Bird and 27th Ave but I make sure to either stay within the white line or on top of it. Bikers should do the same as should other walker/runners.
I was almost run over and screamed at by two bikers on bayshore, while i was crossing the crosswalk (I had the person-walking signal mind you. Not only did they almost hit me, they screamed at me and scared the daylights out of me. Just like I think the police need to start enforcing bad drivers, they should also start enforcing bad bikers. These guys deserved the same 300$ ticket drivers get for running the red light, because in the eyes of the law, bikers on bayshore are obligated to follow the same traffic signals.
I am an avid biker, often doing 25 or 50 miles per weekend (on a mountain bike, no less) and I agree 100% about the sheer rudeness of many road bikers.
They enjoy trying to intimidate people, be them bikers, pedestrians or drivers.
I only ride alone, so yep, I do keep to the side of the road and by choice don't ride in packs.
What many bikers don't realize or choose to ignore is that bikes have to follow the rules of the road, stopping at red lights, not going against traffic, etc.
I honestly would like to see much more police enforcement on both sides: against bikers who ignore the law (as they do in Key Biscayne) but also against cars who try to run cyclists off the road.
I also would like to see more police enforcement of current traffic laws in general, period. Too many people speeding in narrow streets, passing where they should not pass, tailgating stupidly or running through red lights.
The police in this city just seems to enjoy beating people up. That's about it.
Every time you see a pack of riders just imagine the statistics. One out of every eighty bike riders will be involved in a serious accident every eighteen months. Try to guess which rider will be involved next.
bikes and motor vehicles have the same right to be on the same road at the same time. both types of drivers must observe the same rules.
as a biker and a driver, i know that some bikers hog the road during heavy traffic. its their right. but its suicidal. a 10 lb bike has no chance against a 4k lb suv or other big heavy car.
all in the all, the world and, especially miami, would be a lot better place w more bikers and fewer drivers.
None of this would even be an issue if the police simply did their job enforcing the auto and bicycle traffic laws. Very simple solution.
Out in the progressive lands of Vancouver BC and Seattle WA, police enforce the laws regulating the actions of pedestrians and bicyclers. Walkers don't generally jaywalk and bicyclists are required, at least in Vancouver, to get off of their bikes and WALK them in the crosswalk through the intersection. Here in Miami, these packs of wild bicycle riders answer to nobody and there are seemingly either no laws or enforcement to keep them in check. These bikers' actions are putting many other people's lives in danger. You have to wonder who coordinates these bike excursions and as well as what kind of advice regarding the law these bikers are receiving. This is certainly an area where there should be more regulation and enforcement for the safety of the community.
Yikes! Bicycles on the streets of Coconut Grove? Say it ain't so.
Yo bikers, get an SUV.
You know, the anonymous 2 up from here makes a valid point. Im 99% positive on this, but I could be mistaken - In Canada, the cars have the right of way. In other words, if you are crossing the street when you shouldnt be and get grilled by a car or truck its your bad not the driver's. Sounds like a good proposition for the Grove. Beep Beep!
To be fair, they've also got more bus lanes and parks with nice, long paths (Stanley Park anyone?) in Vancouver. Not to mention a general agreement that noone wants to inconvenience, much less hurt, anyone else on the road.
maybe if miami would put in some bike paths/lanes we wouldn't be having this conversation.
I often wonder why bikers don't follow the law that states that you must have a bell. I am always warning walkers that I am approaching, which seems to be appreciated. When I am walking or running, I never get a warning from bikers, and have been nearly run over several times. How much money do these people spend on their bikes, shoes, helmets, and clone clothing without an extra five bucks for a bell. And the cops, well, the only time I've heard of them enforcing this rule is to round up our lower income citizens in the West Grove.
I have also found that sometimes when I have to ride my bike in the street, I take up more than my fair share of space. This will be in a narrow space that is unsafe for a car to pass. It can get a little hairy in narrow spaces when a car should give you a second to get through, but chooses not to. I have learned through experience to take the space wide so a car can't get past, and then move over when it's safe.
By the way, Vancouver had a major storm a few months ago and Stanley Park lost lots of trees and many of its paths are closed. The Seawall is closed from Lions Gate to Third Beach.
How ironic... three days earlier everyone is complaining about car traffic. Today it's the bikers.
By measure of the feedback however, the complaints against the car drivers leads by a margin of 2-to-1.
Stay healthy. Ride a bike.
Those that complain because they have to slow down for a short period of time do not exercise, are fat or both, and they resent those that live a healthy lifestyle. This is Coconut Grove/Key Biscayne ... isn't this precisely the place that outdoor living should be embraced! Soon we'll be hearing about how kayaking in Biscayne Bay is such a nuisance to the boaters.
I bike, work out, and run every day. It's not just fat out of shape people that are upset with you bike "gangs". I drive through the Grove every morning around 6:30 AM and once or twice a week a get trapped behind one of your bicycle gangs (you know who you are). You have a complete disregard for traffic laws and expect everyone else to watch out for your safety. Sometimes even taking over two lanes of traffic. You should all be ticketed or worse. Next time you think you own the road, remember, there is a "Law of Gross Tonnage" and YOU will lose. Stay Safe!
Going way back here, but I saw this in the news and remembered your post... it's getting rough out there: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2009/08/20/0820_cyclist.html?imw=Y
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