SWFL Critical Mass meets on the first Friday of each
month to enjoy a beautiful, family-friendly evening ride through downtown Fort
Myers and surrounding neighborhoods. On our ride last Friday, the 200+ riders also
enjoyed an escort from the Fort Myers Police Department along the circuitous
twelve mile route.
Because
riding into or out of downtown requires travel on major thoroughfares such as
McGregor, traffic has to be stopped to allow such a large group to pass safely.
Typically, trained volunteer riders have been positioned ahead of the group to
do this, and while 99% of all drivers are graciously accommodating, there has
been an occasional negative response.
But, all
when smoothly last Friday with the FMPD Officers Carpenter and Garcia on the
job!
Not only did
the Critical Mass group have the police escort, but due to months of work by
the City’s Public Works Department we were able to virtually glide along the
many newly paved roadways throughout the neighborhoods, including the (almost
totally) finished Cortez Ave.
 |
| (Photo by Michelle Belliveau) |
All of us extend
a big ‘Thank You’ to the City of Fort Myers and invite everyone to join these
totally fun rides celebrating the joys of cycling. The First Friday of each
month, we gather in the empty field next to the downtown Publix at 2160
McGregor Blvd and with helmets on and front and rear lights ablaze, head off at
sunset.
" ... trained volunteer riders have been positioned ahead of the group to do this ..."
ReplyDeleteNot a good idea.
s. 316.2045 - Obstruction of Public Streets, Highways, and Roads
(1) It is unlawful for any person or persons willfully to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of any public street, highway, or road by impeding, hindering, stifling, retarding, or restraining traffic or passage thereon, by standing or approaching motor vehicles thereon….