| | | | | | | | | TO: | Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee Members |
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| FROM:
| Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| | DATE: | March 29, 2022
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| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL ACTION ON RECKLESS CYCLIST BEHAVIOR. |
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
| | Commissioner Samuelian placed a discussion item and subsequent referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) on the February 09, 2022 City Commission Meeting agenda to discuss and highlight ways to deter and address reckless behavior by groups of cyclists. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| The City of Miami Beach experiences large groups of individuals on bicycles visiting the city routinely, most of whom enter through the Venetian Causeway. The groups are composed of a mix of juveniles and some adults and have been known to cause issues as they ride. The groups at times may cause havoc because the participants engage in reckless behavior to include filming themselves doing tricks and wheelies on their bicycles and coming close to cars and pedestrians as if to strike them and then pulling away.
The groups travel and carry out tricks in large numbers and are aware that by doing so in a pack it makes it difficult for them to be stopped. The packs dislike following traffic laws, often riding on sidewalks against the flow of traffic on busy pedestrian-only walkways such as those found on Lincoln Road. Additionally, the packs of riders will not stop for police and often attempt to entice a confrontation to record all encounters with law enforcement. Arrests have been made on several of these attacks in the last year alone.
As the law stands, it is important to note that the Police Department cannot detain cyclists for simply riding their bicycles or forbid the rides or riders from entering the city. Bicyclists share the road with motor vehicles but are not subject to most motor vehicle laws. As soon as the Miami Beach Police Department receives any notification that a group of bicycle riders is coming into the city, officers are immediately directed to follow the group throughout the entire ride. Illegal behavior is monitored and addressed if a clear violation of traffic law occurs and the opportunity to take enforcement action does not conflict with rider and/or officer safety. |
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
The Miami Beach Police Department is aware of the disturbances that large numbers of bicycle riders may pose to residents and visitors in the city. The Department actively monitors the rides throughout the county and into the City as much as possible and has attempted to reach out to group leaders to better direct the riders to areas where they can showcase their talents more safely. The Department is amenable to considering additional actions to encourage good behavior and ensure the safety and well-being of both the riders and residents while keeping in mind that this a county-wide phenomenon.
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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