Calle Ocho, cyclists collide

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...al/6977322.htm

Calle Ocho, cyclists collide
Miami commissioners give initial approval to a law that would ban
bicycles along Southwest Eighth Street, where merchants and shoppers
complain that cyclists threaten pedestrians.
BY CAROLYN SALAZAR



Calle Ocho, a cultural thoroughfare that attracts countless tourists
seeking a true taste of Cuban Miami, has become a favored raceway for
cyclists weaving on and off sidewalks.

Some merchants and shoppers say the aggressive bicyclists threaten
people trying to make their way along Southwest Eighth Street. They
want pedestrians to take back the walkways.

In response to their complaints, Miami city commissioners gave initial
approval Thursday to a law that would ban bicycles, scooters and
skateboards on the sidewalks of Southwest Eighth Street, between
Fourth Avenue and Tamiami Canal Road. If it's given final approval
next month, violators would be fined $25.

''These bicyclists think the sidewalk is the Grand Prix,'' said
Moraima Fernández, owner of Cookie, a store on Eighth Street that
sells Cuban memorabilia. ``If you are just standing on the sidewalk,
they scream at you to move, or they'll run you over. And if you tell
them anything, they'll insult you. It's really gotten out of
control.''

Commissioners said the ordinance simply brings the city in line with
its neighbors, since most tourist hot spots in Coral Gables and Miami
Beach already ban skateboards and bicycles.

''Calle Ocho shouldn't be treated any differently than Miracle Mile or
Lincoln Road,'' said Commissioner Joe Sanchez, who proposed the
bicycle ordinance. ``We need to protect people from these bicyclists
because it has created a hardship on people shopping and walking along
Southwest Eighth Street.''

Store owners contend most bicyclists on Calle Ocho are not leisure
riders who follow biking rules, but troublemakers who steal women's
purses, spit on pedestrians or hit shoppers without bothering to say
they are sorry.

''These aren't people who are using their bikes to exercise. Some use
their bikes to sell drugs. Many ride their bikes while they are
drunk,'' said Frank Belloso, whose family owns a Mobile station on the
street. ``They have really given this area a black eye.''

East Little Havana police district Cmdr. David Rivero couldn't be
reached late Thursday to provide any statistics on the problem.

Belloso said he realizes the ordinance will be a burden on those who
do use their bikes for recreation.

''I do feel bad for those people who use their bikes to work out. But
this isn't Coral Gables where there are bike paths,'' he said. ``I
really think this will help improve the quality of life here.''

In article ,
(ThreeLeggedDog) wrote:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...al/6977322.htm

Calle Ocho, cyclists collide

Calle Ocho, a cultural thoroughfare that attracts countless tourists
seeking a true taste of Cuban Miami, has become a favored raceway for
cyclists weaving on and off sidewalks.

Some merchants and shoppers say the aggressive bicyclists threaten
people trying to make their way along Southwest Eighth Street. They
want pedestrians to take back the walkways.

In response to their complaints, Miami city commissioners gave initial
approval Thursday to a law that would ban bicycles, scooters and
skateboards on the sidewalks of Southwest Eighth Street, between
Fourth Avenue and Tamiami Canal Road. If it's given final approval
next month, violators would be fined $25.

Okay, I've snipped the rest of this article, where the civic burghers
complain that the cyclists are drug dealers and purse stealers; How is
it a surprise that pedestrians and cyclists are a bad mix? Is there
something special about the sidewalk in this neighbourhood that makes it
such a magnet for cyclists? Is this a pedestrian mall?

What's the point here, TLD?

--
Ryan Cousineau, http://www.sfu.ca/~rcousine
President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club

On 11 Oct 2003 19:10:59 -0700 in rec.bicycles.misc,
(ThreeLeggedDog) wrote:

In response to their complaints, Miami city commissioners gave initial
approval Thursday to a law that would ban bicycles, scooters and
skateboards on the sidewalks of Southwest Eighth Street, between
Fourth Avenue and Tamiami Canal Road. If it's given final approval
next month, violators would be fined $25.

rightly so; bikes belong in the street!