A Letter to the Miami Police Department

Dear Mayra Toledo,

This email is to inform you of the unsafe and deteriorating conditions concerning the traffic for cyclists on 109th ave. between NW 7th Street and the Florida International University Campus. As a graduate student at FIU I rely on this route to get to work and school everyday. However, I find motorists' utter disregard of the law put me in extremely unsafe and life threatening conditions. I am well aware of the laws concerning cyclists and I am also well aware of the responsibility of motorists to those cyclists. I do not ride on the sidewalk on this leg of my commute due to the fact that I would be putting CHILDREN AND THEIR ESCORTS at risk as they walk to school. Because there are no bike lanes I am forced to ride in the street. For example, today IN A SCHOOL ZONE, GOING THE SPEED LIMIT, I was passed on the RIGHT SIDE and NOT GIVEN THREE FEET. Furthermore I was harassed by the motorist as he made this pass. Secondly, a motorists, in the same school zone made an illegal double pass over a double yellow line, far exceeding the speed limit of 15 mph, and earlier, I was nearly swiped by an SUV passing at far less than the REQUIRED MINIMUM. These incidents ARE NOT isolated and happen far to often. From now on I will be filming my commute and sending you all video regarding violations and hazardous conditions. As cyclist I am expected to follow traffic laws as I were a motorists. Why can't I expect motorists to do the same, especially in an area of a school? Very rarely do I see any police presence during this time. I do not take this situation lightly as I have increasing concerns for my life and for my safety in general. I am no match for a 2000 lb car.
With this route being so close to FIU, and the number of cyclists I see on this route going to school, I am very discouraged at the situation and would like steps to be taken to address this. While I understand that I am in the minority for the type of vehicle used on this avenue, I HAVE RIGHTS. I would like very much not to be hit by vehicle as I make my way to school. Unfortunately, this seems to be an increasingly likely probability. I would like this deleterious situation to be addressed.

I have CCd Bill King of the FIU Police Department as I feel that the safety of the students in such proximity to campus in their commute to FIU should be of concern to the department.

I looked forward to hearing your response and plans to improve the safety of cyclist on 109th Street between NW 7th Avenue and the Florida International University Modesto Maidique Campus.


Sincerely,


Brett Pierce
Florida International University
Department of Earth and Environment
MSc. Student