Miami seems like the perfect city to bike in on paper. Beautiful weather, beaches, wind, mostly flat, long distances, numerous bike lanes, overall, the ideal landscape. But all of these pros seem very little against the cons. In the last four years, over 60 people have lost their lives on their bicycles in the region. The state of Florida has been rated the nation's most dangerous state for cyclists.
Drivers in Miami can be reckless, more than 60 thousand crashes happen per year in the city. These numbers include all car accidents, pedestrian accidents, alcohol-related, and motorcycle accidents. The chances of you getting injured are pretty high, and the chances of survival are sadly very low. Lots of people also do not respect speed limits and change lanes recklessly. All these infractions happening while there are people cycling on the side of the road can lead to deadly accidents.
In what seemed to be a calm afternoon of May of 2022, two cyclist died after they were hit on the Rickenbacker Causeway next to Biscayne Bay. The driver who struck and killed Yaudys Vera, 48, and Ogniana Reyes, 46, at the Rickenbacker Causeway Sunday was reported to be "fatigued" and "inattentive" when he drove into the cycling lanes and hit them, according to the crash report that was released shortly after. It does not matter if you are experienced or if you are wearing all the safety measures and aware of your surroundings 24/7. It could happen to anyone in a matter of seconds.
Photo by bikemiami.org
Just two weeks ago, on January 31st, a bicyclist was struck by a car that did not bother to stop near the Crandon Park Tennis Center at Key Biscayne. Police in Miami-Dade County are still investigating the case and have no suspects. The victim of this hit and run was a 48-year-old man named Carlos Trevisson Maza who was cycling around the area on the afternoon when the SUV strokes him. Mr. Trevisson Maza sustained a head injury and was taken by first responders to Jackson Memorial Hospital, according to the local authorities. If you have any information on this case, it is urged you call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Miami residents are constantly hearing incidents like these happening way too frequently. Speed limit changes are constantly being made in an attempt to reduce the chances of a crash, but it seems like people are not paying enough attention. Cyclists are becoming more scared for their lives every day and avoiding routes they used to take every day. “My heart breaks every time I hear that someone from my community has been hurt in the same way and for the same reasons. When is this going to stop? Authorities need to take measures right away, reduce speed limits even more and fine everyone who doesn’t respect them.” Maria Sol, 35-year-old Key Biscayne resident and cyclist who has participated in numerous races and triathlons. Maria nowadays avoids the Rickenbacker Causeway which she used to cycle back and forth every single day for years. This is the bridge that connects Miami to the barrier islands of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne across Biscayne Bay. She also said that she stopped taking her kids with her and her husband since they are terrified of what may happen.
Photo by Miami Herald
How sad it is that such a beautiful city that seems so perfect to bike in has turned into a deathbed to cyclists? The community is losing their encouragement and inciting their kids to not use their bikes around the area anymore. No one wants to end up in the news for the wrong reasons. What used to be a passion for some and a hobby for others is turning into death wish. Let’s spread awareness on this topic and do everything in our hands to stop it from happening, starting with respecting speed limits. Even if it seems unnecessary, you could be saving someone’s life.
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