Fw: RE: FW: Question about cyclists approaching bridges

[willy van Gent]

So here is the answer below from a official. Use your own judgement guys. I know it doesn't always make sense. I personally think if you are by yourself or 2 cyclist and there is enough room on the right of the cars then pull up to the front of the gates. Then wait till gates go up be the first to cross the bridge. If we are with a larger group I would stay behind the cars you end up stopping and line up two abreast to the right, Then when the bridge goes up follow the car in front of you and stay two abreast. Thanks and be safe. Willy van Gent CRNA 954-224-0415

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From: Julie Albert <Julie...@zMotion.org>;
To: willy van Gent <g2w...@att.net>;
Cc: Chris Hoch <Chri...@zadv.com>;
Subject: RE: FW: Question about cyclists approaching bridges
Sent: Mon, Mar 31, 2014 4:54:06 PM

Willy, I just heard back. Here is the response I received.   1.       Bicycles are vehicles, and should exercise the same responsibilities as any other vehicle on the road. Therefore, a single bicycle or group of bicycles should not filter their way to the front of any waiting line to be first across a bridge when it reopens. They should remain in line at which point they encounter the bridge closure, not more than two abreast, to the furthest right portion of the road, until the bridge reopens and proceed accordingly. This may or may not allow vehicles to pull alongside them as they wait, depending on the design and width of the bridge. 2.       Some (not all) bridges, actually have signs posted to warn bicyclists to dismount and walk their bicycles across the spans of the bridge. This serves two purposes: a.       The bridge may not have sufficient width to accommodate both motor vehicles and bicycles to cross safely. b.      The bridge grating may not be engineered suitable for bicycles to transit safely.     From: willy van Gent [mailto:g2w...@att.net] Sent: Monday, March 31, 2014 9:31 AM To: Julie Albert Subject: Fw: FW: Question about cyclists approaching bridges   Julie, did you get a answer yet from somebody regarding the draw bridges. Willy van Gent CRNA 954-224-0415   From: Chris Hoch <Chri...@zadv.com>; To: g2w...@att.net <g2w...@att.net>; Subject: FW: Question about cyclists approaching bridges Sent: Wed, Mar 26, 2014 2:32:39 AM     Chris Hoch - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Executive Director - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  zMotion Foundation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  954.644.4000 \\ 4548 direct - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  954.650.1961 \\ mobile - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  6600 N. Andrews Avenue - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  www.zmotion.org www.facebook.com/teamzmotion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  24/7 seriously - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    From: Julie Albert <Julie...@zMotion.org> Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 12:12 PM To: "elun...@ci.highland-beach.fl.us" <elun...@ci.highland-beach.fl.us> Cc: Chris Hoch <chri...@zadv.com> Subject: Question about cyclists approaching bridges   Good afternoon. We have received quite a few questions the last 2 days both via email as well as on our Facebook page specifically about cyclists approaching a drawbridge along A1A that is up. Many of the cyclists are concerned about safety but want to ensure that they are following the correct protocol. Please see the question below. If you wouldn’t mind responding to this email and letting me know what the officers want the cyclists doing in these situations, we will help to spread the word. Thank you so much, Julie   just wondering according to Florida status what is recommended how we approach closed bridges with a group (10-15) riders when there is not enough space on the right. Should we wait with the group on the right side of the road with cars accumulating. Then what do we do when gates go up? There will be a lot of anxious drivers in front and behind of us ready to cross the bridge. Is there a legal way pulling up to the gates with a group and go first over the bridge when gates go up? You obviously understand the situation but can you find out or ask someone what is recommended and what the police wants us to do when we approach a bridge with a group so we can cross safely.     Julie Albert - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Operations Manager - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  zMotion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  954.644.4234 direct - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  6600 N. Andrews Avenue - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  www.zmotion.org www.facebook.com/teamzmotion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -      This email is intended only for the named person or entity to which it is addressed and contains valuable business information that is privileged, confidential and / or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you received this email in error, any review, use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. Please notify us immediately of the error via email to Discl...@zadv.com and delete the email from your system, retaining no copies in any form of media. We appreciate your cooperation.

[cyclist52]

If I am alone, I usually go to the front of the line, and cross as soon as the barrier goes up on the other lane. This way I assure that the bridge is down, and that I don't antagonize the bridge tender. Plus it allows me to get across the bridge before the cars catch up to me. The road after the bridge is always wider than the bridge itself. And I don't delay any motorist at all.

By the way, the official who wrote the response obviously has little knowledge of the real world situation and is probably just reading from a manual.

He(she) talks of waiting two abreast, and that a car may or may not pull alongside depending on the width of the BRIDGE(???). Well, at that point no one is on the BRIDGE, as we are all waiting for it to open, no? Also, he (she) may not be aware that a cyclist may wobble a bit when starting from a dead stop, and trying to clip in. In that situation, I certainly wouldn't want a car next to me!

I will continue to do what I have been doing for 14 years, and if I have to will educate the judge on what is safest for cyclists, and motorists, alike.

 

Cesar