Last weekend, on Sunday, January 17, 44-year old Christopher Lecanne was killed in a hit-and-run accident while he bicycled on Key Biscayne, a popular area for road cyclists. The driver of the car was under the influence and after hitting Lecanne, dragged his mangled bike for about 4 miles before it became dislodged from under his car. He was arrested and charged, though a few days ago he posted bail and is currently out of jail.
The event has touched a nerve in the Miami cycling community and seems to be turning into that tragic catalyst that may fuel some actual changes in the city/cities/county of Miami. At least one hopes so.
I wrote an editorial for TransitMiami.com entitled The Tragic Catalyst. I hope it is the last such editorial I ever have to write.
There will be a Memorial Ride for Mr. Lecanne this Sunday on Key Biscayne. My wife and I won’t be attending because we’re both down with a nasty cold, but we certainly extend our sympathies and prayers to the Lecanne family and will be there with the great bicycling community of Miami in spirit.
RE: The Tragic Catalyst
This tragedy happens all too often. As long as this city is almost completely ‘car centric’, I will deem very few roads safe for Bicycles here.
This past Sunday was wonderful (weather wise)I went on my bike for an afternoon ride and it seemed that the streets/sidewalks & Bicycle paths were almost empty of anyone enjoying the weather. (Maybe they were on the memorial ride-but what about non-racers?)
As much as I would like to see even a small bit of Copenhagenizing here, it is very doubtful. The culture has been bombarded with the same mindset that Mainland China is now trying to emulate as ’successful & sexy’. Which is REALLY a shame as there is such a fashion sense/foundation near South Beach.
My Condolences to the Lecanne Family.
The struggling Miami Cycle culture misses any rider lost under such tragic circumstances.
I keep saying that this is precisely why we, as riders, need to be more proactive with our politicians, to let them know, without the shadow of a doubt, that we want and need better infrastructure.