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Old June 21st 11, 07:32 PM posted to alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent,uk.rec.cycling,rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.soc,misc.consumers.frugal-living
His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher[_2_]
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Default Drunken driver hits a bunch of cyclists

On Jun 20, 9:27 am, "His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser
Philosopher" wrote:
Letter addressed to Engineering/Public Works of Bay Harbor Islands:

(the reply --if any-- will be posted here)

Hello,

While you may have one of the most beautiful causeways, overlooking
the bay and the islands, it's also one of the most hostile to
cyclists. So much so that we simply stay away from it, even when we
may take another winding way. The city ordinance that mandates
cyclists to walk bikes over the bridges is totally senseless,
particularly at the long bridge over the bay. This is specially
grinding and dangerous when there's no space whatsoever to walk bike
on sidewalk. Try it yourself.

One time we were verbally attacked by a vigilante who wanted to
enforce the ordinance and we were lucky only to lose our pride. He
claimed he was protecting us while subjecting us to all sorts of
humiliation. WHY?

It's funny that elsewhere A BICYCLE IS A VEHICLE and yet here it's
some kind of toy. It seems like the ultimate form of discrimination,
though a rather sophisticated one. May I remind you that both cyclists
and pedestrians "run out of sidewalk" at the end of the bridge
(westbound) and that you must walk over the grass and the mud.

Thank you for your kind reply.


Reply to the letter above:

Please note that bicycles are allowed on the roadway (which includes
the bridges), however, an individual cannot ride their bicycle on the
sidewalk, especially on the bridges. I only ask that you please be
cautious when traversing our causeway on your bicycle. Traffic in
South Florida can be extremely dangerous to cyclists.

I hope this clarifies this issue.

***

My observations:

Unless they were removed recently, the signs state that you MUST walk
bike on sidewalk across bridges creating a CONFLICT upon which
vigilantes feel the obligation to harass cyclists. The same day of the
incident --two years ago-- a policeman waved me off the road, without
taking the trouble to tell me why.

I will try this route again soon.

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