The only city in the country to win the Baldridge Award is not treating bicyclists the way it should. At least, that is what Coral Springs resident Mark Gendal, doctor and avid cyclist, says.
Gendal spoke at the City Commission meeting Tuesday night about the "deplorable conditions" in the city for those who use bicycles. "I'm aware of what other cities do for their cyclists," he said. "They do much more. Here, we do not have bike lanes. None of the shopping centers in the city have bike racks."
There is a Florida law that states cars must give at least three feet of clearance when passing bicyclists, Gendal said. "Here, even police officers are not obeying this law. Not many people are aware of the law. People scream in your face and blow their horn," he said.
"You are going to see a lot of people on bicycles with the way the prices of gas is," Gendal said. "I hope the city will take note of the situation."
Mayor Scott Brook said he wanted the city to be more bike-friendly. "I would like to see what options we have. I want to see some measure of success in the coming days."
Comments (5)
Courtesty for bicyclists?
Like they give drivers when they get to a traffic light or stopsign and just blow through it?
Or ride 2 or more abrest when they are supposed to ride single file?
Or like they give to pedestrians when they fly by on the sidewalks at 20 mph?
Posted by A Resident | June 23, 2008 8:45 AM
Posted on June 23, 2008 08:45
We must create a culture of respect. I went to Denver and Phoenix, and it is incredible the respect for drivers and cyclist in the area. They have every cyclist lane perfectly delimited and the city modified its streets in order to accomodate effciently both car and bicyle transit.
We must understand with rising prices of gas the bicycle user will probably increment in the short/medium term. It is imperative that the city facilitates the infrastructure. Better signalling, more bicyle lanes and more law enforcement (Both ways). If a car is agressive against bikes then he should be warn. The same goes for bikers. If the cross on a red light they should be warned or ticketed...
I don't believe the attitude of the person befor is the right attitude. Everything is about seeking a solution and not critizising without any value added.
Posted by Pedro Pernia | June 24, 2008 9:13 AM
Posted on June 24, 2008 09:13
If you listen to my comments, I stated that cyclists are also the worst offenders. The problem is that we have no common way of treating eachother. There is no accommodation in this city for the bicycle. there are no bike lanes to obey. Why should a rider on a two lane road in coral springs not be able to riode side by side with another rider? Bikes are on the sidewalks because there is no accommodation for them in the streets! You need to fault roller bladers and pwople with dogs on long leashes more than the cyclists on our sidewalks! You are turning this into a shooting match and that was not why i spoke to the commission. I merely want the laws obeyed and more accommodation for a growing transportation modality in our city. Lives will be lost if we don't try!
Posted by Dr. Mark Gendal | July 1, 2008 2:11 PM
Posted on July 1, 2008 14:11
Hey Mark, thank you for speaking for all cyclists at the meeting. I have recently taken to commuting to work by bicycle, traveling from Coral Springs to Boca Raton 3-4 times a week. There are very few reasonable roads to travel along the way. The best roads along my route are actually in Boca Raton and Deerfield! And even they are not that great. Parkland will soon be taking the prize with the new bike lane they are installing along Holmberg. Shouldn't Coral Springs be leading in this area as well?
Another problem is when using a bike as a means of transportation - having a bike lane is wonderful but it needs to get you where you are going to. Too often the bike lanes will take you only part way there and then disappear when the road gets busiest! Sample Road has a bike lane, but as traffic builds as you near 441 - it disappears. This problem occurs often in South Florida making finding a safe cycling route from one place to another very difficult and at times impossible to find.
Posted by Mendel Hecht | July 9, 2008 10:41 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 22:41
Is this really what's important for our city? This guy is a joke! When was the last time you saw someone riding a bicycle on university drive? There are bike lanes on university, but how many people are riding their bike to publix, dinner, or a movie? I bet the good dr drives his sports car instead of a bike to work! This guy needs to come back to reality! Looks like he is running for public office for his own personal needs. Look at what's happening to our city and this moron is concerned about bike paths???? Seriously??? It is views like this that has allowed our city to deteriorate the way it has over the past decade.
Posted by A Resident | November 5, 2009 11:21 PM
Posted on November 5, 2009 23:21