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

[Biciclista]

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...

!!!!!! !!! that's horrible!

[Pedal Wench]

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

[uforgot]

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.

[katluvr]

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!

[sfa]

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

[shootingstar]

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.

[Blueberry]

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

[katluvr]

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!