Hello, Everyone. This is a long post, but it is worth reading. One of my Pink Siren team members (who also happens to be an attorney) drafted this letter in hopes that we all use it as a template to write our County Commissioner. With our words and our actions, we can work towards safer roads for everyone: As a member of the cycling community, I want to encourage you to demand accountability and better safety conditions on our public roads--roads that are to be SHARED by all users. I hope you will consider writing a short letter to your County Commissioner. If you are not sure who your commissioner is, all you need to do is enter your address at this link: miamidade.gov/commission/ Here is a form letter you can use if you need a place to get started. Feel free to modify or add your own words if you dont like mine. Thanks for your efforts! Every voice makes a difference. Elected officials are there to be responsive to constituent needs. ---- Dear Commissioner _____________________: I am writing to express my concern following the tragic death of Walter Reyes on January 21st. Mr. Reyes was riding his bicycle along with Henry Hernandez on the Rickenbacker Causeway on the morning of the 21st when a drunk driver careened into the bike lane and struck the two men, killing Mr. Reyes and seriously wounding Mr. Hernandez. This is the third in a string of similar fatal hit-and-run crashes involving bicyclists on the Causeway, which took the lives of Aaron Cohen and Christophe Lacanne. As a member of the cycling community and as a concerned citizen, I urge you to take swift and immediate action to address the safety crisis on the Rickenbacker Causeway. The Rickenbacker Causeway is one of the best places to ride a bicycle in Miami-Dade County, but between motorists traveling at very high speeds and bicycle lanes that are too narrow to provide adequate protection to riders, the current design is unacceptable and needs major upgrades. The County has been aware of these problems for the last five years and, though some progress is evident, much more is necessary to fully address the need for greater safety protections. Riding a bicycle--a healthy and enjoyable way to enjoy the beauty of our city--should not be a death wish. I look forward to hearing how you plan to improve bicycle safety on the Rickenbacker Causeway and across the County. Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, you may contact me at _____________________. Sincerely, _______________________ Board of County Commissioners - Miami-Dade County The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) are the people elected in 13 districts to represent the citizens of Miami-Dade County. MIAMIDADE.GOV|BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY ONLINE SERVICES
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 02:59:07 +0000