davep
01-06-2005, 11:04 AM
I received the following email this morning. Its self explanatory. I don't know if sending the petition in will accomplish anything, but it can't hurt. Thanks.
Subject: Bicycle Battle in Palm Beach County
Hello all
Please read the following update on the bicycle lane controversy in Palm Beach County. If you do not cycle in this area, you will still want to know about this because it may affect the way that the State of Florida handles the same issue in other areas of the state.
For those not in the "know", FDOT is planning to repave State Road A1A in Palm Beach County. This is one of only a few roads suitable for cycling in the area and the automobile traffic has grown to a dangerous level for safe cycling. The cyclist of the community want the FDOT to construct suitable bike lanes along the road as required by Florida law. The beachfront homeowners on A1A refuse to allow sidewalks and bike lanes along A1A and are prepared to continue trading our safety and our lives for their lawns and landscaping. Note that the land to be used for such proposed bike lane facilities is state-owned right-of-way, and that Palm Beach County is # 1 in the state for pedestrian-traffic fatalities.
FDOT is caving in due to heavy lobbying in Tallahassee by this small, but very wealthy, minority.
If you are so inclined, and I ask that you set aside partisanship for a second and think about our collective cycling future, please take just a second to print, sign, and fax the petition attached to this email. The petition can also be found at www.floridacycling.com/petition.pdf. Further, if you can, please CIRCULATE the petition and have other people sign it as well. It doesn't matter where you live. It's the signatures that count. This is all about the safety of our families and children who live in Palm Beach County and all across this state. This is about making sure that the people entrusted to enforce the laws actually DO enforce the laws that the legislature passes.
Note that time is of the essence; the petitions must be submitted before January 12. Address for returned petitions is on the form.
Like we said, though this is a local issue now, this will set the precedent for future Florida Department of Transportation projects. It is important that every cyclist speaks up.
This information is provided to us by:
Jeff Lynne
Boca Raton Bicycle Club
Boca Raton, Florida
Subject: Bicycle Battle in Palm Beach County
Hello all
Please read the following update on the bicycle lane controversy in Palm Beach County. If you do not cycle in this area, you will still want to know about this because it may affect the way that the State of Florida handles the same issue in other areas of the state.
For those not in the "know", FDOT is planning to repave State Road A1A in Palm Beach County. This is one of only a few roads suitable for cycling in the area and the automobile traffic has grown to a dangerous level for safe cycling. The cyclist of the community want the FDOT to construct suitable bike lanes along the road as required by Florida law. The beachfront homeowners on A1A refuse to allow sidewalks and bike lanes along A1A and are prepared to continue trading our safety and our lives for their lawns and landscaping. Note that the land to be used for such proposed bike lane facilities is state-owned right-of-way, and that Palm Beach County is # 1 in the state for pedestrian-traffic fatalities.
FDOT is caving in due to heavy lobbying in Tallahassee by this small, but very wealthy, minority.
If you are so inclined, and I ask that you set aside partisanship for a second and think about our collective cycling future, please take just a second to print, sign, and fax the petition attached to this email. The petition can also be found at www.floridacycling.com/petition.pdf. Further, if you can, please CIRCULATE the petition and have other people sign it as well. It doesn't matter where you live. It's the signatures that count. This is all about the safety of our families and children who live in Palm Beach County and all across this state. This is about making sure that the people entrusted to enforce the laws actually DO enforce the laws that the legislature passes.
Note that time is of the essence; the petitions must be submitted before January 12. Address for returned petitions is on the form.
Like we said, though this is a local issue now, this will set the precedent for future Florida Department of Transportation projects. It is important that every cyclist speaks up.
This information is provided to us by:
Jeff Lynne
Boca Raton Bicycle Club
Boca Raton, Florida