Police seek answers to bike crashes

Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming said his department is paying close attention to anything that might explain the upswing in crashes involving bicycles on the Key.

Last week, the Police Department released a report regarding the frequency and severity of incidents involving bicycles on the island since 2011.

The report comes less than a month after an Indiana man suffered severe injuries when he was struck by a vehicle while riding near the 2200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

According to the police report of the incident, the vehicle, a Cadillac driven by a Longboat Key resident, and the bicyclist were both traveling northbound on GMD when the vehicle veered into the bicycle lane, striking the cyclist from the rear.

The driver of the Cadillac was cited for failing to operate his vehicle in the designated lanes and violating driver’s license restrictions, for his license stated that he requires corrective lenses. The driver claimed he had undergone corrective eye surgery and had failed to update his license information.

The injuries suffered in last month’s accident on GMD were more severe than any other incident involving a bicycle on the Key in the past six years.

According to the full report of crashes involving bicycles, there have been a total of 22 since 2011, with three occurring this year, making 2017 the only year with three accidents reported before March.

With five, 2016 had the most incidents involving bicycles out of any year in the report.

Though Cumming is concerned about the slight increase in frequency that the data suggest, he said he’s happy that the numbers on the Key are relatively few, especially for a community with so many cycling enthusiasts.

Key resident Larry English is one of those enthusiasts. He said he rides more than 100 miles a week, much of it on the Key. English has not noticed an increase in dangerous riding conditions on the Key, but he said he has always been aware that some drivers often get too close to cyclists.

“This is a chronic problem,” English said.

Florida law requires drivers maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from cyclists.

Cumming said bicycle safety is a regular part of the Police Department’s criteria when speaking with groups, such as homeowners’ associations.

Cumming encourages bicyclists to ride single file, use caution when passing each other and leave space between bicycles when riding in groups. The chief also said motorists should be extra careful when bicyclists are present.

Cumming affirmed that, no matter what type of vehicle you’re operating, everyone should behave the same way at intersections.

“If there’s a red light, observe it,” Cumming said.

According to report compiled by Longboat resident Lenny Landau in 2011, there were 25 accidents involving bicycles between January 2007 and February 2011.

By the numbers

2017: 3 reported cycling incidents (2 required EMS response for injuries).

2016: 5 reported cycling incidents (3 required EMS response for injuries).

2015: 3 reported cycling incidents (2 required EMS response for injuries)

2014: 3 reported cycling incidents (2 required EMS response for injuries)

2013: 4 reported cycling incidents (2 required EMS response for injuries)

2012: 2 reported cycling incidents (1 required EMS response for injuries)

2011: 2 reported cycling incidents (1 required EMS response for injuries)

Safety Tips

Always wear a helmet.
Don’t ride against traffic.
Ride your bicycle near the right-hand edge of the road.
Look out for cars at cross streets, driveways and parking places.
Use caution when checking traffic, and don’t swerve when looking over your shoulder.
Wear brightly colored clothing to stand out to drivers.