MELBOURNE, Florida — A pilot project is now underway in Brevard County which allows bicyclists to ride on the Pineda Causeway (State Road 404) legally and safely.
Bike lane construction recently concluded on the Pineda Causeway which stretches from Melbourne eastward through Merritt Island and to State Road A1A just south of Patrick Air Force Base. Florida Department of Transportation officials said that upgrades include designated bike lanes as well as improved safety features such as higher bridge railings, and ‘green lanes’ in areas where bikes and motorized vehicles could cross one another’s path. The green lanes are primarily in the traffic merge areas near US 1 and SR A1A.
Construction began on the Pineda Causeway pilot project April 1 and was completed in early July. The project cost was $498,000.
The pilot project was authorized by the Florida Legislature. As part of the project, data will be collected using miovision-cameras. FDOT spokesperson Steve Olson said in a release that this data will be used to support a report of findings and recommendations to be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House on September 1, 2015.
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So who has the right of way at the exit ramps? Are vehicles going 45 mph supposed to come to a stop on the causeway because a bicycle rider is crossing the roadway? This is going to create confusion and serious accidents.
Bikes are supposed to be illegal on the causeways according to state law. The reason was for safety purposes. Remember when a young boy was killed while riding his bike on a causeway? It's going to happen again when alot more bikes are out there. Why change the law now? Who will have the right of way-vehicles or bikes? There are no traffic lights for riders to use for crossing the exit ramps. Will riders have to walk with their bikes when crossing exit ramps? Why spend half of million tax dollars when the money could of been spent more effectively elsewhere?
Another example of Big Government making stupid fiscal as well as safety decisions. Spending almost half a million dollars to increase rail height and paint green stripes.....what a waste of taxpayer money....and yes if the bycycle has the right of way tthen expect some serious rear end collisions and multiple deaths at those cross paths.
We need to have a separate bikeway along every road in America.The fossil fuels are not going to last. Someday gas will be $20.00 a gallon. You can't combine bikes and autos on the same pavement.Bikes actually help motorists by keeping gas prices low - so it's a double benefit. It's amazing how many people drive to work then pay monthly gym fees to use the gym cardio spinning equipment. Riding your bike improves your cardio function, keeps your weight down, saves you a fortune in gas, oil, tires, tickets. Al Schrader
chnoriEI checked out the causeway on Google maps. Looks like a great addition to Florida's tourism draw.
Yes, I wanted a bike lane but not at the cost of $500K.Ask me as a taxpayer and I can make this type of choice. $500K is too much for the benefits that will be received.
So who has the right of way at the exit ramps? Are vehicles going 45 mph supposed to come to a stop on the causeway because a bicycle rider is crossing the roadway? This is going to create confusion and serious accidents.
Bikes are supposed to be illegal on the causeways according to state law. The reason was for safety purposes. Remember when a young boy was killed while riding his bike on a causeway? It's going to happen again when alot more bikes are out there. Why change the law now? Who will have the right of way-vehicles or bikes? There are no traffic lights for riders to use for crossing the exit ramps. Will riders have to walk with their bikes when crossing exit ramps? Why spend half of million tax dollars when the money could of been spent more effectively elsewhere?
Another example of Big Government making stupid fiscal as well as safety decisions. Spending almost half a million dollars to increase rail height and paint green stripes.....what a waste of taxpayer money....and yes if the bycycle has the right of way tthen expect some serious rear end collisions and multiple deaths at those cross paths.
We need to have a separate bikeway along every road in America.The fossil fuels are not going to last. Someday gas will be $20.00 a gallon. You can't combine bikes and autos on the same pavement.Bikes actually help motorists by keeping gas prices low - so it's a double benefit. It's amazing how many people drive to work then pay monthly gym fees to use the gym cardio spinning equipment. Riding your bike improves your cardio function, keeps your weight down, saves you a fortune in gas, oil, tires, tickets. Al Schrader