There are too many invisible bikes across Southwest Florida, too many people injured in transport while riding for recreation, running errands or on their usual route to schools.
These memorials known as ghost bikes are hard to miss. Drivers can see them on the Sanibel Causeway and in Cape Coral neighborhoods. Each one represents a life cut short.
The most recent memorial was chained up at the intersection of Kismet Parkway and NW 7th Avenue in the Cape in remembrance of 15-year-old Austin Dukette. He died in August from injuries suffered in a collision with a Lee County deputy. There were other bike memorials throughout Lee County, though some have been removed due to driver complaints.
On Sept. 28, Scott Johnsen, 60, a cyclist, died on Diplomat Parkway in Cape Coral. On Oct. 2, 79-year-old Wilma Thomas of North Fort Myers was run over three times walking in a shopping plaza parking lot.
Rather than polarizing the issue by laying blame on motorists or cyclists, those around the table discussed how to bring people together. In its preliminary stages, this could take the form of a public service announcement or media campaign that acts as a call to action. It's their urgent desire to make people realize the number of crashes in the region is increasing. It's just getting worse.
"It's a quality of life issue," said Steve Chupack, a volunteer with BikeWalkLee and Cape Coral Bike-Ped. "But something can come out of tragedy…an opportunity to get people to think about being responsible for each other."
More than "look both ways before crossing the street" and "don't text and drive," it's about making people aware of their surroundings and mindful of their neighbors. To date, at least 22 pedestrians and bicyclists have lost their lives in Lee County this year. But there are far more collisions that don't result in a fatality that often go unnoticed. So far in 2014, an estimated 125 people have been injured while on a bicycle in Lee County and 144 pedestrians have been injured in motor-vehicle related accidents, according to preliminary data from Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization. The 13-year high was 2013 with 175 injuries.
Last year, almost 400 cyclists and pedestrians around the county were injured in some type of collision according to the MPO data. Business owners have reached out to Dan Moser, a local bicycle and pedestrian safety consultant, offering free advertising in the name of bicycle and pedestrian education.
There is just under $34 million set aside over the next five years for bicycle-pedestrian facilities such as paths and bus shelters in Lee County alone, said Brian Raimondo, senior planner with the MPO.
"I think everybody, all people need to follow the rules of the road," said Syndi Bultman, injury prevention manager at Lee Memorial Trauma Center. "It's not just about me, me, me…you need to keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel."
In Naples, attorney Jeffrey Michelland and competitive cyclist Tish Kelly are working on a project to try to get more laws to protect cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable users of the roadways. Kelly said she just wants to ride in peace with her friends.
"Our efforts will be in promoting greater public awareness of the legal responsibilities and rights of both motorists and cyclists," Kelly said in a statement. "We will make efforts to ensure that law enforcement officers are educated in the importance of ticketing motorists and cyclists appropriately for violations of the state traffic laws."
"Kelly said the Collier County Board of County Commissioners agreed with their legislative suggestions on bicycle safety when presented last Tuesday, Oct. 7. These include new laws, improved ones and stiffer penalties. She said their suggestions have been placed on the legislative agenda as a priority."
"To drivers, I'd say: 'Don't be in such a hurry,'" he said. And to cyclists? "Be careful, obey traffic laws," Julia Kroeker said. "I ride in a car and I ride on a bike ... everyone needs to be more aware."
Cycling Deaths
• Scott Johnsen: Died Sept. 28, 2014, after being hit by a vehicle
• Austin Dukette: Died Aug. 23, 2014, after being hit by a vehicle on his way to school
• Jim Chelius Jr.: Died May 4, 2014, after a crash with an automobile
• Jim Reif: Died April 7, 2014, after a crash
• Tracey Kleinpell: Died May 7, 2011, after being hit by a vehicle on the Sanibel Causeway
• Janet LoFranco: Died Feb 20, 2011, after a crash with an automobile
Source: Caloosariders.org/rosfm and The News-Press research
SHARE THE ROAD
Join the discussion and like our special Facebook page called Share the Road and share your thoughts, opinions and observations about cycling and road safety in Southwest Florida. Go to facebook.com/sharetheroadflorida. For resources, data and more information, go to capecoralbikeped.org, bikewalklee.org and leempo.com
IF YOU GO
• What: Streets Alive Lee County
• When: Sunday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Fort Myers
• Info: The streets will be shut down to vehicle traffic, but visitors can park and come via bikes, scooters or roller skates. Call Dan Moser at 334-6417 or go to streetsalivelee.org.
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