Many people in Miami ride their bike for fun, fitness or just to get from one place to another. But, biking can be a dangerous activity for those who choose to ride in Miami.
A recent article highlights reasons why Miami is not a good place for bicyclists. Although bicyclists would like bike lanes created downtown, it has been met with a lot of pushback from drivers. But, recent unsafe biking events will hopefully lead to changes that protect cyclists from other drivers.
Miami is one of the deadliest cities for bicyclists in the United States. Between 2010 and 2014 there were 47 bicyclists killed and over 3,500 more injured. A recent event is a bicyclist who used a GoPro camera to highlight how he nearly was killed multiple times commuting to work in 2016. The video shows cars cutting him off, pulling out in front of him, backing into him, heckling, among many other infractions. Another recent occurrence is a bicyclist who was hit in South Beach and received a ticket, instead of the guy who hit him. The article also mentions that the causeways are not safe for bicyclists. And, a Miami police spokesperson recently hit a bicyclist with her unmarked cop car. The bicyclist was upset at being hit and threw his bike at the car. He ended up in jail, while the police spokesperson received no punishment.
Riding a bike in Miami should not be a dangerous activity. Drivers need to be cautious around bicyclists and they also need to follow the law. If a person is serious injured or killed while riding their bicycle, they or their family may want to speak with a legal professional. An attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and help the family get answers as to what happened. If the accident was the result of negligence, compensation may be sought for medical expenses, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
A biking accident is often serious. Cars are much bigger and heavier than bicyclists and bikers don’t have the same amount of protection. It is important for drivers to be aware of their surroundings and be careful around those choosing to bike.
Source: miaminewtimes.com, “Five signs Miami is a nightmare for bicyclists“, Jerry Iannelli, Sept. 5, 2017
