Growing pains for Critical Mass

I hope no bicyclist overlooks Rydel's comments about last week's Miami Critical Mass ride. Here's one of the staunchest supporters of the ride telling us that a good thing is in danger of being ruined by a few jerks. To come at this from another angle, let me say that group riding requires a certain discipline -- and the larger the group the more discipline is needed. Each rider needs to take responsibility not only for the safety of self but also for the others. Designated pace-setters, corkers, and other cool heads are important, even in a ride that de-emphasizes leadership. Please don't be a hothead or a showoff. Keep these rides sweet, eh?

Hit-and-run driver leaves cyclist on road

Half an hour before sunrise on Tuesday, a motorist ran a red light in the Golden Glades neighborhood and struck down bicyclist Patrick Johnson, 51, a nearby resident. Johnson was badly injured and WPLG reported today that his condition is critical. Police are searching for a van or possibly a sedan that is believed to have been the vehicle that struck Johnson. The crash happened at roughly N. Miami Avenue and 148th Street.

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White House to push highway bill

President Obama's decision to press for adoption of a new surface transportation bill is news for bicyclists because the current version of the bill removes all bike funding, including the popular Safe Routes to School. We have no clue about a White House position on bike funding, but House Transportation John Mica clearly believes it's not important. Here's the Obama story:
White House to push new highway bill - The Hill's Transportation Report

Bike parking becomes a NYC essential

Add to the list of requirements when New Yorkers go apartment-huting: Someplace to lock up a bicycle overnight. Taking the pulse of this new demand among thrifty young couples, the New York Times documents realtors that not only provide in-house secure parking but also map bike routes to important places of work. What's the parking picture here in Miami? Please tell us your successes or frustrations with parking where you live or work. And take the minute poll in the column to the right, won't you?

First-responders bike to NYC for 9/11 event

A group of police and fire-rescue guys, mostly from Southwest Florida, are bicycling up the East Coast to commemorate their New York colleagues who perished during the Sept. 11 terror attacks 10 years ago. They told the Lakeland Ledger that they won't be deterred by Hurricane Irene.  More about the ride and riders right here.

Greenway signs for the S. Dade Trail

Greenway sign installation photographed by Eric Tullberg.

Touring bicyclists should have an easier time finding the South Dade Trail very soon. The first East Coast Greenway signs in the Miami area were installed today on the trail at SW 211th Street. Others will be put up between Florida City and Dadeland as Miami-Dade Transit maintenance crews work the chore into their regular assignments. The signs with their double pine tree emblem (look above worker's head) were provided by Green Mobility Network, the local advocacy group whose mission includes the promotion of South Florida bicycle facilities.

When a motorist threatens (or worse)

Good advice here from Alan Snel about what to do when a motorist tries to bully a bicyclist. Read and remember, and above all, stay safe and cool.

Don't block this city's bike lanes

The mayor of Vilnius, Lithuania, takes his bike lanes seriously. After noticing that owners of luxury cars frequently parked in the lanes, he found a way to make his point that bike lanes really aren't for cars at all. Ouch!