Cyclist Struck By Hit and Run Driver Dies

Hundreds of cyclist ride the streets of Miami every morning. On the morning of February 15, 2012 Aaron Cohen, an avid cyclist , was riding his bicycle in the bicycle lane on Key Biscayne . Aaron was hit by a motorist with a suspended license who left the scene of the accident.

The result is that Aaron Cohen, a 37 year old father of two died today at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The culprit, Michele Traverso, 25 was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with bodily injury and driving with a suspended license. Just last May, Traverso was charged with possession of cocaine, and In 2009, he was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.

This is the result you get when the State of Florida refuses to enforce the 3 foot law, allows drivers to get behind the wheel without requiring any form of bodily injury liability insurance, and does not have harsher penalties for those driving with a suspended license.

Key Biscayne has been the scene of multiple bicycle accidents and fatalities. The city of Miami is trying to promote cycling, yet most drivers in Florida are angry when they see cyclist on the road. Yes, I am a cyclist who represent bicycle accident victims, but some of the comments I read on The Miami Herald post are beyond troubling. The hostility against cyclist is bothersome and until that changes Miami will remain one of the least bicycle friendly cities.