Mar 21st, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Until recently Miami had never really given bicycling much consideration. During the past year or so the bicycling movement has gained momentum here. The Miami Bicycle Master Plan was approved by the Miami commissioners, bicycle lanes are slowly popping up and we see more and more cyclists on the road everyday. This is certainly a good thing; however I’m a little concerned about the quality of some of our bicycle lanes and whether unprotected bicycles lanes should be incorporated on roads were the design speed of the roadway exceeds 40 mph.
For example, here in Miami we have had several bicycle lanes placed on roadways were the design speed of the roadway exceeds 40 mph and we can even find unprotected bicycles lanes placed adjacent to roadways were the design speed is closer to 50-65 mph. The probability of death or serious injury to a vulnerable cyclist increases substantially as motor vehicle speeds increase. Therefore before painting unprotected bicycle lanes, we need to make sure that the speed of traffic does not exceed 35-40 mph.
Source: peds.org/2009/01/
So this got me thinking, perhaps the best way to bring cycling into the mainstream in cities that are not accustomed to cycling would be to create a bicycle network which designates specific roads as high priority routes for cyclists. Cities would focus spending and market these high priority routes; they could be called Urban Bicycle Networks. Marketing is key and fundamental to the Urban Bicycles Network’s success; it would be seen as sexy and cool and would be a matter of pride for a city.
The high priority routes would serve as the backbone to a city’s Urban Bicycle Network. Once a city designates the high priority routes, speeding fines within it would double much like in a road construction work zone. Of course, there would need to be clear markers so that motorists and bicyclists are aware of the special conditions that prevail within the road they are traveling on. The Urban Bicycle Network would not be expensive to implement and 50% of the total fines from moving violations within it would be reallocated back in to the network to make improvements and for maintenance.
I’m not sure if what I am suggesting is legal, but I’m trying to think out of the box here. The doubling of speeding fines within the Urban Bicycle Network would quickly educate motorists about the cyclist’s right to be on the road, reduce the speed of traffic and cyclists would be encouraged to use those roads which are safest for them.
Posted in: Bicycle Boulevard, Bicycle Infrastructure, Bicycle Masterplan, Bicycles, Bikes, bike lanes, bikeway, biking, complete streets.
Mar 20th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Mr. R.K Smith, 88, with his 1953 Schwinn Cruiser
In my never-ending quest to add a truly vintage bicycle to my collection, this morning I stopped by a garage sale in Coconut Grove while on my morning bike ride. There out of the corner of my eye I spotted a 1953 Schwinn cruiser owned by Mr. R.K. Smith. Mr. Smith, a World War II veteran, purchased this beauty in Coconut Grove that very same year. Mr. Smith informed me that he rides his Schwinn Cruiser everyday for about a mile and a half to the Coconut Grove Library; this Halloween he will be 89 years old.
Mr. Smith is an inspiration to me. I sure hope that when I am 88 I am still healthy, enjoying life and riding a bicycle everyday. When designing bicycle infrastructure we need to consider all users. We would be a much healthier society if everyone who reaches the age of Mr. Smith were still on two wheels.
Mr. Smith told me that a lot of people have offered to purchase his bike. He won’t sell it; and rightfully so. She’s been with him for the past 57 years. It’s a beautiful bike which needs to remain with its owner. Thank you for serving our country Sir and being an inspiration to all cyclists.
Posted in: Bicycle Infrastructure, Bicycles, Bikes, biking, complete streets.
Everyone has seen ugly high-voltage power lines FPL wants to bring these down US 1 from Pinecrest to Brickell, and while we all agree underground power lines are the best option, the impact of the above ground lines can be mitigiated by making the poles more attractive and thoughtfully designed.
Image Courtesy of Dezeen.
Additionally, any negotiations to place FPL poles along US1 should mandate that FPL upgrade the M-path as outlined in the County’s M-path Master Plan.
What are your thoughts???
Posted in: FPL.
Tagged: FPL · M-Path
Now that HSR is on its way to reality in Florida, we thought you might want to check out these links relating to the ongoing work building Florida’s Future in High Speed Rail. As many know ex-governor Bush stalled high speed rail until governor Christ revived the plans submitted to the federal government and received funding for Phase I Tampa-Orlando.
High Speed Rail Corridors
Tampa Station Connection
Orlando Connection
Miami Route Evaluation
Posted in: HSR.
Tagged: High Speed Rail · Transit
Mar 18th, 2010
by Kathryn Moore.
FDOT will soon be resurfacing Sunset Drive from SW 84 Pl to SW 69 Ave and the Miami-Dade Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee has passed a resolution recommending that the median be narrowed by 1 foot on each side and bike lanes included. Sunset Drive, also known as Marjory Stoneman Douglas Historic Road, allows for the construction of bicycle paths and even recreational facilities according to its historic designation. What a wonderful way it would be to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas, one of South Florida history’s most prominent environmentalists, if FDOT would implement improvements that encourage safe, active transportation along this road!
FDOT invites members of the public (you!) to a public meeting on Tuesday, March 30th, from 6:00-8:00 pm at St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 7410 Sunset Drive. Currently, very wide (14-foot) outside lanes are proposed in the design. Lanes of this width encourage speeding AND take up space that could otherwise be striped for a bike lanes. Join us for the public meeting or support active transportation with a quick email to Gus Pego, our FDOT District Secretary, letting him know how important bicycle facilities in this project are to you. You also might remind him of the FDOT Complete Streets policy or the fact that the District just north of us was successfully sued by the South Florida Bike Coalition for failing to put in bike lanes without justifiable cause. We encourage you to cc: David Henderson, Bike/Ped Coordinator for Miami-Dade County. You may also call the FDOT District Office at 305.470.5197.
Posted in: FDOT, bike lanes.
Mar 18th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Leave your car at home and roll to school on two wheels. All the cool kids are doing it!
Posted in: Bike Month.
Tagged: Miami Dade College
Mar 18th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Miami today is reporting that work on the $1 billion port tunnel has (unofficially) begun. Environmental work is underway and rigs have been set up on MacArthur Causeway’s median to begin taking soil samples. The project officially breaks ground in May and will take approximately 4 years to complete.
Not only will we have a very questionable new port tunnel, but according to Ms. Alice Bravo district director of transportation for FDOT, a new lane of traffic is planned in each direction of the MacArthur Causeway. Do we really need another lane of traffic in each direction? Wouldn’t it be better to instead bring Baylink into the transportation mix? This would also be a great opportunity for FDOT to include a protected greenway in each direction on the MacArthur Causeway. Expanding the roadway to accommodate more cars is not the solution; providing more transportation options is the answer.
Posted in: Bay Link, Baylink, FDOT, Greenway, MacArthur Causeway, Port Tunnel, Port of Miami, complete streets.
Mar 18th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Bus stop replaced again for the 4th time in the past year and a half
As reported a couple of weeks ago, the bus stop on Brickell and 15th Street was taken out for the 3rd or 4th time in the past year and a half by a speeding vehicle. Apparently the last accident involved a motorcycle which burned the bus stop to a crisp. Last week the bus stop was replaced yet again.
Photo: http://twitpic.com/16yem5
Damaged bus stop on Brickell Avenue and 15th Street
Although we keep replacing the bus stop, the fundamental issue of speeding on Brickell Avenue isn’t being dealt with. How many more times does this bus stop need to be flattened before the City of Miami addresses the underlying cause of these accidents? A short term solution would be to move the bus stop to a less dangerous location; the current location is on a very treacherous curve.
Given the history of the bus stop, it’s only a matter of time before this happens again. Hopefully no one will be injured when it does occur.
Posted in: Brickell, Dangerous By Design, FDOT, Miami-Dade Transit.
Mar 18th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Photo: SFBC
Transit Miami’s very own Kathryn Moore has been appointed Executive Director of the South Florida Bicycle Coalition. Kathryn is an excellent choice for the Executive Director position. She was instrumental in coordinating Bike Miami Days and she was awarded the Young Professional of the Year by the Association of Pedestrian & Bicycle Professionals. Her experience and enthusiasm for cycling will undeniably be an asset for the SFBC. The SFBC is in good hands with Kathryn. Congratulations Kathryn!
In other news, the SFBC coalition just returned from Washington D.C. where they attended the annual National Bike Summit. Kathryn along with SFBC President Jeffrey Lynne were in D.C. rubbing elbows with the who’s who in the cycling world. You can rest assured that the SFBC is energized and ready to make South Florida safer for all cyclists.
Soon you will be able to join the SFBC as a member. Please check back with us for more details or check out the SFBC blog. The word on the livable streets is that the SFBC will be a holding a fundraiser with plenty of alcohol! What can be better than talking about bikes over some booze?
Posted in: Bicycle Infrastructure, Bicycles, Bike Summit, Bikes, bike lanes, bikeway, biking.
Tagged: South Florida Bicycle Coalition
Mar 16th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Friend of Transit Miami Dana Weinstein recently wrote an editorial for the Miami Herald to commemorate Bike Month. Although Dina commutes with her two children to school on bicycles, she does not suggest that inexperienced cyclists/parents follow her lead. She says, “It really takes someone with almost a death wish to walk or bike”.
Part of me agrees with Dina. Ever since Christophe Le Canne was killed on the Rickenbacker Causeway in January, I have come to view bicycling as a dangerous activity.
I love biking; it is part of who I am. I used to be fearless and after my stint in the Peace Corps I biked with 2 friends from Guatemala to Panama. Bicycling brings me great joy, but I no longer feel safe biking in Miami. What I feel is vulnerable. This is particularly true on our causeways, where bicycle lanes are placed next to cars which are moving at 45-75mph without any sort of hard or soft barrier to protect cyclists (i.e. Rickenbacker Causeway and MacArthur Causeway). When I do bike now, I choose roads where the design speed of the roadway does not exceed 25-30 mph. Even when bike lanes are present, such as the Coral Way bike lanes, I do not use them because cars are moving at 45-50mph. I prefer taking a side street were traffic moves slower.
Perhaps I am just getting old. Or perhaps now that I am married I am aware of the tremendous loss I would leave behind if I suffered the same fate as Christophe Le Canne. But the lack of proper bicycle infrastructure in Miami has been forcing me recently to drive my bicycle up to Oleta River State Park so that I may get the exercise I enjoy. I feel defeated that I have been relegated to biking in a park.
In the interest of full disclosure, I still ride my bike (in my suit) to work everyday. Although it is only about 6 blocks away I have way too many close calls on a regular basis.
Is this the way we must live? My hope is that we can develop streets for all users in South Florida.
Posted in: Coral Way, FDOT, MacArthur Causeway, Pedestrian, Pedestrian Activity, Pedestrians, People, Public Works, Rickenbacker Causeway, South Florida, complete streets.
Mar 16th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
A special “thank you” to the County Public Works Department for relocating the Christophe Le Canne Ghost Bike. The County Public Works Department has been working with the cycling community to find an appropriate place for the ghost bike. I think most will concur that they have found an agreeable location. Please send Esther Calas, Director of the County Public Works Department, an email to thank her. (ecalas@miamidade.gov)
Photo Courtesy: Miami Bike Scene
Photo Courtesy: Miami Bike Scene
Posted in: Public Works, Rickenbacker Causeway.
Mar 16th, 2010
by Felipe Azenha.
Ft. Lauderdale knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style with pedicabs. The city of Ft. Lauderdale has long embraced pedicabs. Wouldn’t pedicabs be great on South Beach?
Photo courtsey of Ocean View Rickshaw
Posted in: Ft. Lauderdale, South Beach.
Tagged: pedicabs
Mar 16th, 2010
by Tony Garcia.
Woohoo! Kudos to the county public works department for beginning to stripe a bike lane requested by the City of Miami on SW 2nd Ave, connecting the recently completed lanes on Coral Way (from SW 15th Rd) to SW 8th St.
Good job County Public Works!
Posted in: Bicycle Masterplan, Public Works.
Mar 15th, 2010
by Tony Garcia.
Great news out today from Secretary of Transporation Ray LaHood. The administration is making a shift in how it views bicycle and pedestrian investments. This from the Secretary’s own Fastlane Blog:
Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.
We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:
- Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
- Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
- Go beyond minimum design standards.
- Collect data on walking and biking trips.
- Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
- Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
- Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.
Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.
Awesome. This is exactly the sort of smart transportation planning we have been advocating for. Transit Miami applauds the change and looks forward to seeing it implemented. If the recent success of the TIGER stimulus grants are any indication of the federal commitment to complete streets, this latest proclamation is yet another step in the right direction.
Posted in: Fedral transportation policy, Ray LaHood.
Mar 15th, 2010
by Tony Garcia.
Our friends at floridatransit.org have organized a contest that looks to collect stories from transit users around the state. If you have a good transit story, check out the contest details and submit your story!
The association is seeking true stories from Floridians and visitors that benefit from using any of the 28 public transportation systems in Florida. Riders can tell their positive experiences using public transit by submitting a short video, a photo and caption, or a short essay.
The public is invited to be creative and tell FloridaTransit.org what you are doing with all the money you save by taking transit. What are you doing with the time on board relaxing or being productive while your counterparts waste time and stress out in traffic congestion? Are you on board as a green lifestyle choice or as a patriot because transit helps cut America’s addiction to foreign oil by 4.2 billion gallons of gas a year.
http://floridatransit.org/
Posted in: Florida Public Transportation Association.
