Lake County Bicycle Summit
Lake County Cyclist/Law Enforcement Cooperation
Sgt. Tom McKane (Center) and Deputy Gabriel White, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, with Rick Pitner at the Lake County Bicycle Summit in Mt. Dora, FL.
Lake County is a beautiful county and a particularly attractive cycling venue due to the differences in elevation that are unique to that part of Florida. The county attracts literally thousands of cyclists annually to ride and train in that environment. The county actively solicits cycling activities. The recent Mt. Dora Bicycle Festival drew about 1000 cyclists that stayed in local hotels, visited local restaurants and made a significant contribution to the local economy.
Cyclists and government officials have become aware of an increasing trend in verbal abuse and threats to cyclists by motorists, and are concerned that such acts will discourage cyclists from visiting. If the trend continues, the resulting negative impact on the otherwise peaceful and friendly environment and economy of the county could be devastating. The county does not want to become known as unfriendly to cyclists and others.
In July, a group of 35 cyclists and 15 law enforcement officials, led by Sheriff Borders, met to consider possible solutions. FBA was invited to introduce the Bicycle Law Enforcement Program. The most important outcome of the meeting was the agreement to form a continuing relationship to address known problems and others that may arise in the future.
Some cyclists are also guilty of contributing to the problems by violating the laws and contributing to an unfavorable image of bicyclists as scofflaws. The working relationship of cyclists, law enforcement and government officials will foster not only better treatment of cyclists, but also improve cyclists’ compliance with the laws. A winning resolution for all!
In October, a Bicycle Summit was held in Mt. Dora to discuss and emphasize the continuing efforts of the partnership of the cycling community and law enforcement. They are pursuing a number of actions to publicize the importance of cooperative use of the roadways.
Relationships such as this are the key to understanding and resolving problems and improving the roadway environment and the quality of life of residents and visitors.
Apparently no progress has been made in Lake County since this was published. This week alone I have been forced off CR452 by a semi-truck, struck by a school bus as I approached a stop sign on Fish Camp Road at CR44 (he started his pass less than a bus length away from the stop sign and then right hooked in front of me to turn right onto CR44), swung at by a passenger in a mini-van on the Haynes Creek bridge as they screamed at me to get on the shoulder, screamed at twice to get off the road within 100 yards on CR473 while in the far right of five lanes, screamed at on Goose Prairie Road to get off the road because the other lane was blocked by someone turning left and yielding to my right-of-way (this driver passed me within inches when he could get partially into the opposite lane), passed going through the intersection of CR44 and CR452 making me brake and on-coming traffic to swerve to avoid a collision, three cars passed me in unison on CR44 just west of CR452 forcing all on-coming traffic to leave the roadway, and others too numerous to mention. An all of these occasions I was following ALL of the rules of the road (i.e. using hand signals, obeying traffic control devices, etc.) and trying to avoid main roads like CR452 and CR44 as much as I could. Can anyone tell me how to get this to stop?
A while back I was told by Rick Pitner, the person representing the cycling community in this cooperative effort, that he had to step down and that no one was willing to come forward to replace him. The Sheriff and the deputies that I was working with wanted to do more, but couldn’t without the cyclists’ involvement. I don’t know the present status.
This is a common problem in the cycling community. We tend to complain among ourselves but don’t take effective action. Everyone wants things to improve, but few are willing to do what is required. It is not easy. Too often, cyclists expect some else to do it for them.
Although you are riding lawfully, my guess is that there are still groups out there that are not, contributing to the on-going conflict.
I recommend that you get a group of cyclists, bike clubs and bike shops together and again approach the Sheriff’s Office, police departments and County Commission and try to revive the effort. Until we are willing to stand up for ourselves in an organized way, we will continue to have these problems.
You may want to encourage all your cycling friends to join the Florida Bicycle Association also. I assume you are a member. That is the only state-wide organization working for cyclists.