Ride of Silence Serves As a Reminder of The Dangers on South Florida Streets

On the same day that hundreds of cyclists took to the streets to promote peace between cyclist and motorist, a report was released, confirming what most of us already knew, South Florida is the nation’s fourth-most-dangerous metropolitan area for pedestrians.

The cyclists participated in The Ride of Silence — its catchphrase is “Let the Silence Roar” — an international cycling event designed to make drivers aware that bicyclists are on the road. It’s also in memory of those cyclists who were killed or injured by cars.  To that end,  an average of two pedestrians and one bicyclist are hit each day in Broward County. In Palm Beach County, one pedestrian and one cyclist are struck on average daily.  I suspect the Miami-Dade numbers are even higher.

As noted above, pedestrians don’t fare any better.  In South Florida pedestrians are struck by motor vehicles at almost triple the average rate for the rest of America.  While South Florida is the fourth most dangerous area in the nation, let there be no doubt that Florida is the deadliest state.  The three U.S. cities with worse records than the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach axis: Jacksonville, Tampa-St. Petersburg and Orlando.

The report, Dangerous by design 2014,  sets forth some alarming statistics:

More than 47,000 pedestrians died in traffic accidents from 2003 to 2012, the report notes, “sixteen times the number of      Americans who died in natural diasters — earthquakes, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes” during the same period.

Our office is located in the Brickell area, where construction has reached epic levels.  A crane on every street, road closures, and cars and pedestrians fighting for every inch of space.  Again, shame on the city planners and commissioners for failing to be proactive rather than reactive.

The mayor has spoken about bike and pedestrian friendly walkways.  We are still waiting Mr Mayor.