Bear Cut Bridge—22 February 2013 Page 1 Date

Date:
February 22, 2013
To:
Mayor Carlos Gimenez
Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa
Vice Chair Lynda Bell
Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan
Commissioner Jean Monestime
Commissioner Audrey Edmonson
Commissioner Sally A. Heyman
Commissioner Bruno A. Barreiro
Commissioner Xavier L. Suarez
Commissioner Dennis C. Moss
Commissioner Javier D. Soto
Commissioner Juan C. Zapata
Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz
Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr.
Copy To:
Antonio Cotarelo, Miami-Dade County
Jeff Cohen, Miami-Dade County
David Henderson, Miami-Dade County
Key Biscayne Mayor Frank Caplan
Key Biscayne Village Manager John Gilbert
Patricia Mazzei, Miami Herald
Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald
Tim Elfrink, Miami New Times
Gabriel Lopez-Bernal, Transit Miami
Subject:
Bear Cut Bridge repair project and its impact on bicyclists
Now that work to reconfigure the traffic lanes on the Bear Cut Bridge has begun, we are
writing to convey our serious concerns about the potential dangers of the project to bicyclists
using the bridge. Many of our comments also apply to pedestrians and runners using the
bridge. We are concerned about the safety, well-being, and access to the bridge for all
nonmotorized users.
We have monitored the situation and received regular feedback from members of our
organizations and others who have firsthand experience bicycling on the bridge in the past
several weeks.
We have concluded that the present plan is not working for bicyclists. The result has been a
dangerous and confusing situation.
These are some of the problems impacting bicyclists’ safety on the bridge:
1. The signs are confusing. They appear suddenly as one approaches the west end of the
bridge. They do not allow room for cyclists to make emergency evasive procedures.
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2. There is no clear direction for bicyclists to stop and cross the road at the traffic signal on
the west end of the bridge in front of the Rosenstiel School to access the northern side of
the bridge, which currently contains a two-way bike lane.
3. Bicyclists who choose to remain on the roadway to cross the bridge heading east do not
have a safe means to merge with the traffic. The barricades force cyclists into the traffic
lane abruptly without the time and space for a safe merger.
4. According to reports from our members and observers, there has been a great deal of
inconsistency among the law enforcement officers stationed at the bridge about what
cyclists are allowed to do. Just recently, for example, a Miami-Dade County police officer
told one of our members that bicycling is forbidden in the one eastbound lane currently
available—but the police are not enforcing this prohibition. Other police officers have told
cyclists that cycling in the eastbound lane is permitted.
Recommendations: Proposed short-term solutions
We recognize the difficulty of providing solutions for all users of the bridge during this difficult
time—a period of assessment, repairs and rebuilding likely to continue for a year or longer.
We understand and appreciate the time and resources that have been dedicated to solving
the problems facing all bridge users and the decision-makers responsible for the bridge.
Our recommendations are based on the reality that road cyclists (the term we use to describe
stronger, more experienced cyclists who can maintain a speed of at least 15 mph), both
individually and in groups, will continue to use the eastbound roadway whether or not there is
a bike lane. Road cyclists and groups are unlikely to stop and cross the road, interact with
pedestrians and casual cyclists on the two-way bike lane, and then cross traffic again. It is
more dangerous for them to do that than to stay on the roadway.
We recommend the following:
1. Accept that some stronger and faster bicyclists will use the eastbound lanes on the
bridge, that they have a legal right to do so, and plan for it. Signage should be installed
warning motorists they are likely to encounter bicyclists on the roadway. Motorists should
be encouraged to be courteous and allow cyclists to merge into the motor vehicle lane,
and to share the roadway for the length of the bridge. The signage should be placed much
farther ahead of the west end of the bridge, rather than abruptly appearing at the bridge
entrance.
2. If possible, reconfigure striping for the roadway to provide a 3’-4’ bike lane traveling
eastbound. This is enough space for cyclists to travel single file and will keep many
cyclists from riding in the roadway.
3. Provide better signage and a crosswalk at both the west and east ends of the bridge,
where casual cyclists are being encouraged to cross the roadway to use the multiuse
lanes on the north side of the bridge.
4. Ensure that all police officers from all three jurisdictions with authority on the
Rickenbacker Causeway (Miami-Dade Police Dept., City of Miami Police Dept., Key
Biscayne Police Dept.) are provided with clear and consistent rules about what is and is
not permitted on the bridge. These rules should be posted on the Miami-Dade County
website as a downloadable PDF file and should be made available to all interested
parties.
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5. Ensure that at no point during the repair and reconstruction project will bicycling, walking
or running on the bridge be prohibited. In our view, this would be unacceptable and should
never be given serious consideration.
Recommendations: Proposed longer-term solutions
We view the above recommendations as only the beginning of a dialogue between our
organizations, their members, and the Miami-Dade County authorities responsible for
repairing and rebuilding the Bear Cut Bridge. Given that the bridge project will take at least a
year, we further recommend the following actions on the part of the County:
1. Keep the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) actively and regularly informed
about updates on the project. The BPAC should be the conduit to inform and seek public
input on decisions the County makes about the project.
2. In addition to the BPAC, designate an ad hoc group representing bicyclists and other
nonmotorized users of the bridge to meet on a regular basis with authorities responsible
for the bridge to discuss updates, problems and proposed solutions. All of the
undersigned will be available as volunteers (or alternates) for such a group. This group
should be separate and distinct from the BPAC and should focus exclusively on the Bear
Cut Bridge. At least one member of the ad hoc group should be designated as the primary
contact person with the County.
3. Develop detailed and regularly updated information and training procedures for all law
enforcement officers who have responsibility for patrolling and monitoring the bridge so
that all are informed about the correct procedures and rules affecting bicyclists and other
nonmotorized users of the bridge.
4. Regularly inform the public about progress with the bridge project and any rules that affect
bicyclists and other nonmotorized users of the bridge.
This letter has been endorsed by the following signatories.
Eric Tullberg ([email protected])
Chairman, Miami-Dade County Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)
Hank Sanchez-Resnik ([email protected]) and Cristina Ramirez
([email protected]), Co-founders, Bike Key Biscayne
Bike Key Biscayne (BKB) is made up of Key Biscayne residents who are also bicycle
advocates. BKB was founded in the fall of 2012 to promote improved conditions for bicycling
within the Village of Key Biscayne and on the Rickenbacker Causeway. BKB has been
appointed by the Key Biscayne Village Council to act as the Village’s bicycle advisory
committee. Website: www.bikekeybiscayne.org.
Xavier Falconi ([email protected]), President, Everglades Bicycle Club (EBC)
Greg Neville ([email protected]), Member, EBC Board of Directors and Community
Liaison Director
The Everglades Bicycle Club (EBC) is Miami’s oldest and largest bicycle club. The club has
over 475 members and over 700 followers on its Facebook page. EBC promotes bicycling as
a means of recreation and sport. The club also promotes bicycling safety and respect for all
traffic laws, vehicles and pedestrians. Website: www.evergladesbc.com.
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Mary Jane Mark ([email protected])
Owner, Mack Cycle & Fitness, South Miami
Mack Cycle & Fitness is one of Greater Miami’s premier bicycle and fitness stores. A familyowned business since 1960, Mack Cycle has developed a visionary model of a bike store that
is deeply engaged and active in the community, playing a leadership role in a wide variety of
community events. Website: www.mackcycleandfitness.com.
Markus Wagner ([email protected]), Board Member, South Florida Bike
Coalition
The South Florida Bike Coalition was founded in 2007 with the mission to provide resources
and legal support to local grassroots bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups that endeavor
to ensure alternative, sustainable, safe and adequate transportation facilities are provided
throughout South Florida. Website: http://sfbikecoalition.wordpress.com.
Michelina Witte ([email protected])
Member, Team Hammerheads
With nearly 500 participating members, Team Hammerheads is one of the largest and most
active groups of triathletes in South Florida. Website: www.teamhammerheads.com.
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