Some state lawmakers want to make Florida’s roads safer, especially for those not traveling in cars. One bill would offer special protections to cyclists and pedestrians, but one group is being left out: motorcyclists.
According to the CDC, Florida has the highest rate of cyclist deaths in the nation, double the national average. Advocates point to speed limits, road width and lack of awareness. But cycling activist Mike Lasche says Florida’s roads were simply designed for cars, not people.
"Now why is this happening? Bottom line, Florida was developed in the age of the automobile. And unlike New York City, Boston or other cities or states, we don’t have a history and we don’t have pattern of development that’s based around pedestrians,” he said.
Lawmakers can’t go back in time, but they do want to make roads safer for so called vulnerable users. Cape Canaveral Senator Thad Altman’s bill would increase penalties for motorists when cyclists or pedestrians are injured in car accidents. Here’s his legislative aide Devon West.
“SB 332 seeks to increase the safety of vulnerable users of a public roadway. The bill revises and creates various statutory provisions and penalties relating to traffic control laws and vulnerable users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. It clarifies provisions related to overtaking and passing vulnerable users, particularly with respect to maintaining the required distance between a passing vehicle and a vulnerable user,” she said.
But because of an amendment filed by Lake Worth Senator Jeff Clemens, there is one group that would not be covered by these protections: motorcyclists. Here’s Senator Clemens.
“If you go back and you look through those particular categories that are included here, we're talking about wheelchairs. We’re talking about a horse drawn carriage. We’re talking about a farm tractor. All those things share things in common with bicycles, with pedestrians. The outlier here is motorcycle,” he said.
As could be expected, some bikers don’t appreciate this amendment. Doc Reichenbach is the president of motorcycle group ABATE Florida.
“But I love my motorcycle. It takes less wear and tear on the road, less fossil fuel, it’s very nice. But I can’t tell you how many times people have come up on my rear bumper of my motorcycle or my rear fender, and literally tried to push me forward,” Reichenbach said.
Reichenbach says people on motorcycles should be protected just like people on bicycles.
“So to say that we’re not vulnerable is not true. I go to too many funerals,” he said.
Back in 2000, Reichenbach’s group led a push to do away with helmet requirements for motorcyclists. After the law was repealed, helmet use plummeted and the death toll shot up. So when it comes to safety, Clemens argues, you can’t have it both ways.
“Motorcyclists fought to not have to wear safety protection. Now they’re fighting to be included as a special category under the law that has special consequences. And in my opinion I just don’t think that they belong there any more than a convertible vehicle or a smart car does,” Clemens said.
The Senate Fiscal Policy committee passed the bill Wednesday. The measure is now ready for a floor vote.
