Bike safety is the issue, not bar closing times
People are now blaming 5 am bar drinking for the death of cyclist Christophe Le Canne, last weekend, on the way to Key Biscayne, even though it was Sunday morning about 8:00 am when the accident occurred.
I don't think it is respectful to be using this horrible incident to promote 3 am or 5 am or any drinking times, it may be a great way to promote bicycle safety and the co-existence of auto drivers and bikers.
According to news reports, the driver had major driving issues and was proud and boasted of his many infractions. Apparently he was intoxicated, this could have been any time of the day and out of respect for the person who was killed, this is more of a Mothers Against Drunk Driving issue and a bad driving issue and bicycle safety issue than a bar closing time issue.
I often see bikers weaving in and out of traffic, often to just tease the people in cars, but I also see people in cars lose their patience and deliberately get right on top of bicyclists in order to scare them.
Perhaps a lot of these Critical Mass meetups can be merged with a new group that consists of car drivers and bikers and rather than going out bicycling, they meet in a room and discuss the road rage issues on both sides. Sort of like we attempt with the Business and Residents Liason meetings.
Speaking of Critical Mass, there is a meetup on Sunday, January 24, called the Key Biscayne Memorial Ride. The bicyclists are meeting near the Seaquarium at 9 am. More info here.
posted by Tom Falco at 9:30 AM
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23 Comments:
Now I am for the 5 am bar closing.
BUT
A guy walks into the bar, last call is at 5 am. He is already smashed and he orders three or four drinks. He then is done with his drinks, waits a bit and gets in his car and drives off.
Thats how you get into that type of a situation. 5 AM is not the reason he died its irresponsibility.
Hey Grape, Carlos was neither proud nor boasted about his many traffic infractions. I don't know where you got that from and am actually upset at this very same type of stuff that is going on throughout all the blogs and news sources. The story is horrifying enough without making things up along the way. I obviously know the suspect but also have an understanding of the gravity of the situation. I just think you should stick with the facts and your opinion, and not make things up just for the sake of making your arguing point stronger.
Every news report including the Herald's says he boasted of his terrible driving record and laughed about it. He didn't even have a driver's license. I don't make up stories, check your facts.
This guy was just a bomb ready to explode. About 42 traffic convictions. Regardless of the hour. He dragged a bike under his car for hours, and never tried to even helped the guy he killed, going at over 60MPH, just thinking of himself, trying to flee. He should spend his life in Prison, doing community service, paying duties to the Family of the dead person. CI
What happens in Miami is that it's simply the 3rd worst City in the USA to ride Bikes. The infrastructure, lack of real Bike Lanes, paint, alphalt, signs, education.
Both Bike Riders and Car Drivers are usually clueless as to how to co-exist. They often hate each other, and don't know how to share the road. Often, careless Bikers take too much of the road. Clueless and irresponsible. A lack of consideration. No wonder car drivers hate us. Also, car drivers think they own they road, and that bikers can't use it. Totally wrong. Until both car drivers and bikers get Educated, until the City fixes the roads, these accidents will continue to happen, and more so every week, as there are more bikes and more cars on the road every year. CI
according to an article i read this biker was in a designated bike lane so he was certainly not taunting the driver (not that that was what grape was implying, just stating what articles have said) so this istance seems to be totally about drunk and completely reckless driving as opposed to bikers and drivers issues with eachother
This Biker was doing his thing. The reckless drunk driver smashed into him, with ample space on the road. Then failed to even stop and help, he fled, and deserves to be hung by the balls. CI
this isn't the first person to be hit near that bridge on virginia key. there have been several fatal and non-fatal accidents in that spot over the last few years. this is not intended as a defense of the drunk driver, as he should be put in jail.
Just wait till you see more accidents. Key Biscayne is the best place to ride a bike, they have a Real Bike lane there, plus the scenario by the water, the bridges. It's actually quite safe, compared to most other places in Miami, like South Bayshore Drive, the Circle in the Grove, Old Cutler, Kendall, etc. Trust me. I've been biking and running all around for years. Try those place.
This accident in Key Biscayne was just unfortunate, a drunk driver. I expect 3 times more accidents in other areas which are far more dangerous. I've been writing ton the officials for too long about it. Accidents will continue to happen, and more frequently in other more dangerous places. I've seen about half a dozen serious accidents already. calling 911, with the guy or girl bleeding on the road. CI
Anon 9:42 - it's illegal to serve a patron who is visibly intoxicated, just so you know. There are laws in place to handle such things that simply need enforcement. Further, where in your story does this person hang out for a few hours? not the place that closed at 5, right?
And Saddened - we all are, this was a tragic thing. However, every single report on the incident stated that the driver boasted on his band's website about his poor driving record - Every single news outlet that covered or picked up the story.
You can have all the best bike lanes you want, if someone is driving drunk you don't have a chance. You don't know where he was drinking until he got in his car and until you do... His record sucks so this guy had a total disregard for life.
What we need is a concrete wall about 12 feet high that way it separates the bikers from the drivers and all is well, hell didn't they build one on I-95 and in the Palmetto? and for what, so they homeowners wont hear the traffic?
Some of you guys should check how it's done, in civilized Cities like Portland, or in Colorado or most of Europe. Educate yourselves, instead of talking trash, and if you dare, hop on a bike in Miami. It's good exercise. CI
this is a tragedy that has nothing to do with closing times and everything to do with individual irresponsibility.
I've been biking in Miami for 12 years. been hit by a car once, and literally almost get on hit every long ride I take. Why? Because Miami has the worst drivers in the world. Zero regards for bikes or bike laws. Illegal turns. On the cell phone chatting. texting. Swerving. Looking the other way when they turn. Hitting curbs. Passing people on the shoulder or in the bike lane. Truth is, the sober people drive like they are under the influence in this town
I bought a mountain bike as much for survival as anything. I stay off the road as much as possible and avoid bike lanes when I can. Drivers here simply are not able to safely drive with bikes. That is the biggest issue here.
Anon @ 12.15.
You have some valid point. But if you love to go fast on a bike, meet good friends, nice looking chicks, enjoy the scenary in the Grove or Key Biscayne, exercise with less impact than running or mountain bike, then you have to take your risks and race on the damn bike. I'll see you on the bridges, son. Awesome weather right noe, add some good tunes to the ride and you're close to Nirvana. be careful of course, but hell, life is dangerous after you get off the TV in the living room. CI
#4 on the top 10 signs that you're a douchebag - Calling someone son.
Nice work CI.
No reports stated he boasted, the news reports stated "he made reference to having numerous citations".
I am amazed at the vitriol that has been spouted in many other blogs about bikes as well as the vitriol spouted against cars.
The issue here is not about closing times (the accident was at 8 am), or about road cyclists being a royal pain in the ass lots of the time (they are) or about Miami drivers not having respect for bikes (they don't).
It is about a very specific instance of a guy who was drunk, texting (from what I've read), had 40 citations, no driver's license hitting an innocent person who was minding his own business, then not stopping for four miles (not for hours as a previous blogger suggested) while dragging the bike under his car.
Thankfully, when he gets to court people will need to focus on that single issue AND that's how he gets convicted.
TO: Sadened by all the hoopla Grovite
He did boast about his horrific driving record. His website said
Carlos once flipped his car
Carlos' driving record is NOT clean
This website went offline the night he murdered Lecanne...
Grover,
After reading every article on this, you're the first mention I read about this being a bar closing issue. Don't use this for your own agenda.
To mention is not strickly boasting. Such an impression would be that of the reader. I say no bond, stay in jail, if guilty, hard labor for 10 years, then back to Venezuela.
Although the biker killed appears to have been alone and operating safely; the driver alleged drunk, most bicycling groups have some doubtful psychological baggage; RUDENESS and bad death wise type habits, namely purposefully slowing down roadway motorist that translates into feelings of inadequacy, except when on a bicycle and in a group.
excerpt from http://www.carlosbertonatti.com before they removed the website on Sunday evening to hide evidence.... this is a response to a comment here saying he did not brag about his poor driving record
this is directly from his website:
We thought you might enjoy some Fun Carlos Facts!
· Carlos’ real name is Carlos Guillermo Salvador Bertonatti.
· Carlos is an Aquarius.
· Carlos moved to Miami when he was 12.
· Carlos can’t remember how many times he’s had to get stitches.
· Carlos was sent to Boarding School during senior year for being naughty…
· Carlos competed with the Argentina Ski Team.
· Carlos went to Chef School.
· Carlos became the pupil of a famous Venezuelan painter and spent months painting in the mountains with her.
· Carlos’s first job was a camp counselor at a Just for Kids program.
· Carlos loves to surf and wakeboard.
· Carlos loves Halloween.
· Carlos loves Sky Diving.
· Carlos got lost in a forest for 20 hours….
· Carlos doesn’t drink liquids with his meals.
· Carlos remembers his most embarrassing moment.
· Carlos flipped his car in reverse.
· Carlos’ driving record IS NOT clean….
· Carlos is VERY A.D.D!
· Carlos isn’t funny when he tries to be.
· Carlos asks too many questions.
· Carlos’ favorite word is WHY!
· Carlos enjoys dancing.
· Carlos is a self-help freak.
· Carlos doesn’t have a cool ring tone and his phones rings all day.
· Carlos took musical theatre in high school and ended up as the light boy.
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