sad event/why I would not advise moving to south fl!

This past weekend, 3 cyclists were hit and one was killed. He was a 63year old avid recreational cyclist with a family. I did not know him, but I know people who did and they said he was a great guy.

I was searching online for a news story so I could find out more details about the incident. I came upon the local newspaper's message boards and read the posts. The IGNORANCE of people in south florida is disgusting to me!
Every ride I go on, I have close calls- people who try to turn in front, yell, proceed to slam on their brakes,etc.

After reading these posts, it has made me realize how closed minded,ignorant and just plain crazy many of the motorists down here are and that I really do want to move back to CO where people are more understand of those who want to be physically active outdoors.

I thought I would post a link to the message board thread, and if anyone is bored and wants to speak out for a life taken on the road- feel free!

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/fort...DE1GK6H6VF6/p4

Arguing with those types is pretty pointless.....
They are sure that they are right and won't even bother to look at the facts or even acknowledge that cyclists are human beings with feelings and families. To them you are sadly just another thing that is in their way. (We get the same trolls who come out to play here whenever there is a bike/car accident)

I have to concur on the synopsis of S Fl. I lived there for four years and couldn't leave soone enough. One time, I was training for a marathon with my dog, and this car drove past me going slowly. Then, it turned around and came by again... s l o w l y... I was running in my neighborhood, but there were no houses on this particular street, so I put on the gas to get to a place where someone could at least hear me scream. And, the car followed me onto that street... finally I stopped, ready to go running across yards, and they asked if they could breed their dog to my (neutered male) dog. Uh, no. And, I briefly informed them how amazingly inappropriate it was to stop a lone female runner to make such an inquiry. This is just ONE of the myriad of S Fl stories I have... crazy place :confused:

Such a sad story. Unfortunately, the comments are fairly typical for any newspaper that allows comments. I wouldn't bother responding, though I certainly understand those who do.

I found south Florida a frightening place to live, and the driving was the worst I've ever seen. I have dozens of scary/crazy stories from my time there.

Pam

One out of every five cyclists killed in traffic collisions each year meets his/her fate in Florida... some 140 per year.

Definitely a reason to be a little spooked down there...

I have chosen to spend alot more time on the trainer than the street. Here in Miami the only way I ride is to take the bike to Key Biscayne ( an island with state parks) which is more bike friendly than anywhere. Most of the triathlons are hosted there. It's really ashame that we have such beautiful weather and can't enjoy it without dodging cars. I can't tell you how many guys I've met that have been hit. A rear view mirror slam or a car door opens. When it comes to cyclists, drivers here are rude and inconsiderate, everybody is in a hurry. I'm a native and I hate to call this place home. Not what it was 40 years ago. Sorry for the family of the cyclist. I hope they sue the pants off the driver.

I spent 7 years in the Tampa area, and it's no sweet treat there, either. I would bike on campus, but once outside the central area, it was terrifying. My parents live in the most densely populated county in the state of FL - driving a car was dangerous, I couldn't even bring myself to get on a bike.

It's no wonder they are in a constant state of panic at the thought of me biking on roads that cars drive on... As much as I try to explain that both NC and OR are totally different, I don't think they are buying it! How can they when what they see daily is nightmare-ish?

you might consider contacting the paper and asking them to moderate the comments a little better - remind them that the families of the deceased might be reading that cr@p.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PscyclePath

One out of every five cyclists killed in traffic collisions each year meets his/her fate in Florida... some 140 per year.

Definitely a reason to be a little spooked down there...

---

!!!!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek: !!! that's horrible!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/communit...,4223429.story

My nephew is an avid cyclist. He lived in Miami last year, and he's used to cycling, knows how to ride, etc, etc, but he told me that no way would he consider riding in Miami. He doesn't even have a car and has used his bike for transportation for years. He lived a lot of those years in Boston. He's in California now, and the whole family is cycling again.

I admit, cycling in Florida is TOUGH.
I have figured out the "safe" and non-safe places. I just assume this is everywhere. Thing about Florida (most areas) are they are very congested. And yep...mostly car oriented.

So we "drive" to a safe place to bike.
Or BIKE in neighborhoods that are not as congested.
St. Petersburg is coming along nicely with a lot of bike lanes...but still the drivers are a bit...well, as outlined in other posts.

I also struggle with alll the "new" people on bikes...using it a transportation, but not following the rules of the road. I find encountering them in a bike lane or on a path ALMOST as scarey as a car.

Country roads in Florida are scary...d/t the "country" mentality. But again I suppose you find that in many places.

So if you feel you are in a bike friendly place...that is great. I never really thought it was so bad down here...thought it was not good, and sometimes the "norm" in dealing with ignorant, self absorbed people.

So--is everyplace that much better? Do you feel comfortable on all your roads...or do you know the "better places to ride"?

Just curious!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by katluvr

So--is everyplace that much better? Do you feel comfortable on all your roads...or do you know the "better places to ride"?

Just curious!

---

I feel comfortable on almost all of our roads. I don't think I'd ride on some of the six-lane, no-shoulder main routes (although I *do* see people riding on those roads from time to time), but the only change I make to my commute to work when I'm on my bike is to stay off the expressway where no bikes are allowed and instead of turning left onto a twisty, hilly road I take the slightly longer but less hilly route. For the most part, drivers are considerate and pass carefully. The country roads tend to be the nicest for riding--no real difference in the drivers and their consideration, but just a lot less traffic.

I never really thought about whether this state of affairs is normal or not. I pretty much assumed this is how it is everywhere!

Sarah

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PscyclePath

One out of every five cyclists killed in traffic collisions each year meets his/her fate in Florida... some 140 per year.

---

That's CRAZY!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

you're right. your bike-hating wingnuts are worse than ours! :eek::confused:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by katluvr

Country roads in Florida are scary...d/t the "country" mentality. But again I suppose you find that in many places.

So if you feel you are in a bike friendly place...that is great. I never really thought it was so bad down here...thought it was not good, and sometimes the "norm" in dealing with ignorant, self absorbed people.

So--is everyplace that much better? Do you feel comfortable on all your roads...or do you know the "better places to ride"?

Just curious!

---

Still, 140 dead cyclists annually, sounds abit high in 1 state.
I don't know what the cyclists' injury and fatality rate here would be. But it probably wouldn't be too hard to find this on public statistical sources.

There is a research project right now being headed up by the local university where the medical researcher/epidemiologist and team members are trying to pinpoint more accurately the actual nature of injuries/fatalities of cyclists. This is to improve more accurate reporting right at the hospital emergency services depts. across the local hospitals in our area.

If one understands and maps out longer routes for cycling within our region, then one can feel abit "safer" since Vancouver area has alot more road bridges with heavy road traffic than other major Canadian cities.

Since I lived and cycled in Toronto, both in the congested downtown area daily and out in the suburbs, Vancouver is a tad easier. I have to disagree that just because a big city has a ton of car traffic, it doesn't mean it's more dangerous. In fact, I find it easier, because the cars often have to move slower due to congestion.

The biggest concerns out in the suburbs in certain areas of Vancouver and Toronto is much higher speed of cars, when combined with large peak volumes and....many MORE wide transport trucks on certain roads.

I haven't read the article or the comments - they get to me a bit much.

However, I do have 2 comments:

1) When we've visited Florida, it seemed to be much less cyclist friendly than average. I sincerely hope things are improving.

2) When we've had cyclists hit or killed here in NC (a place I'd rate middle of the road in terms of cyclist-friendliness), there are been terrible comments about cyclists getting what they deserved, etc., etc. In one case, a very drunk NC State student hit and killed someone at 11:30 in the morning. Same comments. I think those comment options on articles truly do bring out the worst in people.

CA

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

I haven't read the article or the comments - they get to me a bit much.

However, I do have 2 comments:

1) When we've visited Florida, it seemed to be much less cyclist friendly than average. I sincerely hope things are improving.

2) When we've had cyclists hit or killed here in NC (a place I'd rate middle of the road in terms of cyclist-friendliness), there are been terrible comments about cyclists getting what they deserved, etc., etc. In one case, a very drunk NC State student hit and killed someone at 11:30 in the morning. Same comments. I think those comment options on articles truly do bring out the worst in people.

CA

---

In regards to #1...yeah some areas in Florida I would never ride my bike...my sister lives in the panhandle (Narvarre)--very scarey area. But I know of bike clubs in Pensecola (close to there).

#2...I agree. Comments do seem to represent a certain segment of the population--leaning towards those most ignorant.

I guess I always knew it was bad in Florida. We often talk about places more bike friendly. But I guess I just thought everyone dealt with this to some degree.

I'll be safe this weekend, going to a trail that is not only bike friendly, but "fast" bike friendly. Big training ground for serious biking!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Biciclista

you might consider contacting the paper and asking them to moderate the comments a little better - remind them that the families of the deceased might be reading that cr@p.

---

Whether it's the newspaper or the *&^% morons who write that &^%$ they don't seem to realize that a human being, a member or their community, someone's beloved family member has died.

It's beyond human decency. :mad:

Sorry for the ranting tone but when my cousin's fiance was killed I remember rushing to call my Mom who at 86 gets her news online to warn her "don't read the Press Democrat! :eek:"

Here in one of the most bike friendly places on earth they had:

picture of her body draped in her cycling jacket
an article that was needlessly graphic. Dude, do your creative writing at the Junior College where you obviously study.
the nastiest mean spirited idiotic hostile spewing about cyclists :mad:

Ok, off soapbox now. But not before I say "I hope they sue the pants off the driver and make him ride the mean streets of Florida".

I wish newspapers would just stop allowing comments at the end of stories.
No matter where you are, it's the same group of idiots critiquing each and every story day after day.

My local newspaper also seems to get their 'talent' from high school journalists.