With the ever looming rise in gas prices affecting how people the world over plan on going to work and running errands, many are selecting bikes as their transportation of choice. They are designed to be cheap,
require no gas whatsoever, and, best of all, provides a good workout.
In response to this, the City of Miami is rising to the occasion of this cycling boom by providing a safer and more efficient way of travel for residents in Miami’s communities. After receiving calls and letters from its citizens requesting bicycle lanes, the government is planning on moving into action.
”The city requested it and we certainly agreed to it,” Brian Rick, a Florida Department of Transportation spokesman, said. “We’ll have to determine if it can be implemented once we get the pricing from a contractor.”
The target area for this almost $4 million project spans Coral Way and the South Miami Avenue to Southwest 12th Avenue and calls for the sidewalk and lighting replacement between Southwest Third Avenue to South Miami
Avenue. Expected commencement for this building project is projected to be in January of 2009.
Providing bicycle lanes in this area will significantly decrease sidewalk traffic and provide bikers and motorists a safer area to travel besides directly in the streets. A 2006 study at The University of Texas at Austin discovered that having bike lanes improved safety for motorists, because motorists passing cyclists when no bike lane exists veer farther left into the next traffic lane.

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