Commissioner Diaz sponsors resolution to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on Rickenbacker Causeway

(MIAMI) – As part of his ongoing efforts to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz is sponsoring a resolution to study the feasibility of a number of safety measures including reduced speed limits, DUI checkpoints, and bike lanes and crosswalk on several roadways that are popular with bicyclists and pedestrians. The Board of County Commissioners will take up the resolution on Tuesday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 N.W. 1st St.

“I believe we need to do everything we can to make our roads as safe as possible for cyclists as well as pedestrians, because we’ve seen too many tragedies in recent years,” Commissioner Diaz said.

The resolution directs the mayor’s office to complete a report within 60 days to address safety concerns on the Rickenbacker Causeway, Crandon Boulevard, Brickell Avenue, South Bayshore Drive and the surrounding area.

Commissioner Diaz has been a strong advocate for improving roadway safety. In January, he spoke at the Florida Senate in favor of tougher laws against hit-and-run drivers. More recently, he sponsored an event to give away bike safety lights and safety flyers at the Rickenbacker Causeway toll plaza in commemoration of the second anniversary of the death of Miami cyclist Aaron Cohen. Cohen was killed by a hit-and-run driver on the Rickenbacker, which has been the site of several accidents involving cyclists. Commissioner Diaz’s resolution recommends closing the causeway’s right lane in both directions on weekend mornings from 6 to 10 a.m.