A letter from a reader . . .
"We are always hearing of motorists and cyclists claiming they received a raw deal from our local police, so I want to share with you a recent experience of mine. A week or so ago, I was a victim of a case of road rage. I have been riding a bike for over sixty years and I guess I am fortunate that this was the first time I have actually been physically assaulted by a motorist.
"The Coconut Grove police arrived in minutes and, even though the two young motorists who attacked me are well connected in town, once the police assessed the situation they promptly arrested the driver and wasted no time in getting medical assistance for me. These officers exuded professionalism throughout; they were courteous and helpful to everyone involved.
"The police have a tough job here in the Miami area and I think we need to remember that when we next think we are being hard done by. I want to especially thank Officers Ryan, Britt, and Lieutenant Medina for the help and professionalism they showed throughout this stressful incident. "
T. D.
Coconut Grove
"The Coconut Grove police arrived in minutes and, even though the two young motorists who attacked me are well connected in town, once the police assessed the situation they promptly arrested the driver and wasted no time in getting medical assistance for me. These officers exuded professionalism throughout; they were courteous and helpful to everyone involved.
"The police have a tough job here in the Miami area and I think we need to remember that when we next think we are being hard done by. I want to especially thank Officers Ryan, Britt, and Lieutenant Medina for the help and professionalism they showed throughout this stressful incident. "
T. D.
Coconut Grove
posted by Tom Falco at 9:00 AM
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7 Comments:
T.D.,
Sue the punks.
Sorry to hear, very unfortunate, Mr.T.D.
As an avid Cyclist I can tell you that these extreme cases of road-rage involving actual physical violence are VERY RARE, the most that has happened to me after about 5,000 miles on the Bike here arounf the Grove is some cars getting too close (while I've been as close to the right as possible, single-lane), the occasional honking, swearing, etc.
So let's not go overboard. What happened to this gentleman is rare.
Still, I would like to know the details, T.D. Where were you, alone, on a group? Were you following proper Biking rules? Why did these thugs get so mad at you?
Again, it's usually a matter of lack of education, both from Bikers who sometimes think they own the Road, usually in Packs, taking too much space, and breaking traffic rules left and right (A minority, though, most of us behave to the best of our ability, considering that this City is the Third most unfriendly for Bikers in the USA).
Cars need to know that we have as much a legal right as them (I also drive all the time) to use every road, except Highways.
Bikers need to know, that they should stick to the right, on single lanes when there's no space on narrow roads, and let cars go by. When we hit 25-28 mph, that's still too slow for most cars. So wait untill you are in wider streets, never block half the road, wait till you get to a decent Bike Path in Key Biscayne or Weston, for instance (NONE in the city of Miami, yet)
I suggested before that the Police should patrol places like S.Bayshore Dr and Main Hwy. and use their lights, loud speakers to WARN those cyclists who are abusive their rights, taking over the road, disobeying red-lights, etc. They should be stopped and ticketed too, just like Cars which break the Law. After a few weeks of such patrolling, I bet those Biker Groups (I know most of them, and their daily schedules) would behave much better. But again, the city of Miami is so out of touch, the Police probably don't even know the rules for Bikes/Cars, and NOTHING is done to fix this problem. It would be Cheap and relatively Easy.
I will send this to Manny Diaz, see what he says, he often replies personally about this issue.
(He said this in response to my e-mail about Cycling dangers in Miami and the Grove, the lack of bike paths, education, Miami being the SECOND City with most deadly Cycling accidents in the Nation, the pathetic State of S.Bayshore Dr and Tiger Tail, etc..
"I agree. These are baby steps, but the beginning of a successful journey. With you help and that of other of like mind, we will get there.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Manny"
His Plan to make Miami a more Biker Friendly City has been taking FOREVER and won't happen any time soon, as there are too many Money interests, commisioners, bureaucracy is blocking that project. It will probably take another decade, at least, much like the infamous Water front Master plan..
If the Grove were its own City, we would have a Decent Bike path all over the Place, built in a few months, like Key Biscayne or Weston already have.
Incidents like this would be much less likely to happen, Cars and Bikes would co-exist much better, everyone happy.. try saying that to people like Sarnoff in City Hall. Unlike Manny, He NEVER responds, which I can understand, but more importantly, hasn't DONE anything at ALL to improve this chaotic Bike/Car situation in the Grove.
Carlos
I'd also like to know the situation. How terrible that this happened to you. I must admit, when I am driving in the Grove Sunday mornings, am I CONSTANTLY frustrated at the rude team of bikers who live by "same road same rules" and yet continually run red lights and stop signs. Watching this has made me a very conscientious biker.
I'm glad the police didn't let off the motorist who allowed his road rage to get the better of him. I just hope the police start enforcing traffic rules for both motorists AND cyclists. It will make all of us a little safer...and less frustrated.
I was riding single file ten feet behind a friend just past Mercy Hospital. The offending motorist was of the very strong belief that all cyclists should use the sidewalk.
T.D.
Well that motorist is not cool to say the least! And there is no excuse for what they did to you, none.
What worries me (as a former cyclist) is that most "group" riders here have no real respect for the real rules of the road and give other cyclist a bad name. I lived in a lot of place and many cities. When we ride in groups we pace-line two by two, when cars come we lead out with the outside rider coming in forward (into a single pace-line). Also the simple skill of holding a line is poorly practiced here - I mean riding straight and in a smooth line next to the side of the road so that a faster car can pass and be able to predict how you will track (as the cyclist).
There are many people with lot's gear and great bikes that can not even ride straight.
Bikes and pedestrians have the right of way always (I was hit - and took the ambulance ride once), but the cycling community needs to police it's own sometimes.
I have even tried to tell groups of cyclist to pace line in traffic and not ride three or four deep to only be given the "finger"....
But, people with the a highly self centered attitude think they should be able to do whatever they want - cyclist and cagers (car drivers....).
Try riding a motorcycle in this city and see how bad it really is - it's always that "ass" making the late (red) left that can do all the damage.
I wish you the best, and I hope they get those guys to max for the road rage incident.
-Bill Anderson
One question has to do with why does Miami win the rudest driver award each year? There are many causes but one contributing factor is that traffic tickets are rare. I also admire the police here--VERY professional--but giving traffic tickets does not seem to be a high priority. How is this related to rudeness. If there is no one to referee in traffic then the natives begin to take things into their own hands--they become the enforcer. Of course they enforce their rules their way (honking, yelling, beating, ramming, shooting) for one basic infraction: being in their way (going to slow, etc).
I have written the city Council (Sarnoff) and others about this and there is always a pledge to look into it. When I see the rare instance of an office running radar or giving a ticket--I go by and thank them profusely. Apparently if you do get ticket you can get a lawyer and get it off your record for less than $100.
I write this because yesterday crossing the street in front of Fresh Market (by foot) my wife and I were nearly killed when crossing with caution lights blazing. Someone in the near lane stopped (extremely rare!). So we start across but our view was blocked on the second (inside) lane and some guy in an old car came at us at least 50 MPH. We jumped back. He waved and smiled!
For the most part, I think the Grove folks are very courteous. But Main Hwy, Bayshore, etc are sort of a thru street alternative to Hwy 1 and so we get a lot of people who don't live here. There is a light going up on Main Hwy at the very dangerous curve/intersection. I am hoping it is a long miserable light to discourage thru traffic and encourage those looking for the fast lane to go to Hwy 1.
Love your blog!
I was in an accident several months ago, and hurt pretty badly. While in the ER with tubes stuck in me,I was on the phone to arrange for some help at home, when the cop came in and insisted I hang up because he "didn't have all night". He then proceeded to interrogate me like a criminal, and all but called me a liar when I described that the other guy ran a red light.
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