May 24, 2010
Dear Commissioners,
Improving safety for bicyclists and pedestrians is a key goal of BikeWalkLee’s efforts to complete Lee County’s streets. Because Florida ranks the highest as the most dangerous state in the nation for both pedestrians and cyclists, and because Lee County ranks higher than the state average, it is imperative that safety is the #1 priority.
When pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities occur, it is critical the county look at the full range of available safety improvements, such as infrastructure, signage, education, and enforcement. The tragic death of 13-year-old Ryan Santos on April 27, who was struck while trying to cross Del Prado Blvd. at NE 3rd Terrace, should give us more than enough reason to improve.
In BikeWalkLee’s November report that accompanied the national “Dangerous by Design” report, we identified Del Prado Blvd in Cape Coral as one of the “hot spots” in Lee County for pedestrians and bicyclists. As the News-Press May 20th editorial stated, “This was a disaster waiting to happen, and it did.” When you look at Goggle Earth Link: Del Prado Blvd N & NE 3rd Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33909 and see the proximity of Burton Park to this intersection, it’s hard to understand why no safe access for neighborhood children biking or walking to this destination was provided at the time the park was built.
To read the full letter, click here.
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