Cyclists want Miami-Dade mayor to see dangers on Bear Cut Bridge

Cyclists say drivers ignore 25 mph speed limit, bike lanes

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – A group of cyclists wants Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez to join them for a ride on the Rickenbacker Causeway to see firsthand the dangers they face during their rides.

The blog Transit Miami extended the invitation in an email. The advocacy group works to improve roads and transportation for pedestrians. Cyclists want the mayor to ride along the Bear Cut Bridge, which is under repairs.

"They have a bike lane painted on the ground, but cars don't respect it at all times. It says 25 miles per hour and they are cruising down 45 mph," said cyclist David Perez.

Police have increased patrols of the area. The county says more than 1,400 citations were issued there in the last year. 

"They have to reduce the speed limit to 35 miles per hour for the entire causeway, and there has to be stepped-up enforcement. We have to be issuing 20 citations a day and not four," said Felipe Azenha with Transit Miami. 

Last November, two cyclists were hit by a car near MAST Academy when a driver failed to give the right of way to the cyclists.

The construction on the bridge includes a 14-foot-wide bike and pedestrian path.