SWFBUD Asks for State For Help on Gandy Bridge and Intersection in Tampa

This morning I represented SWFBUD before the DOT Community Traffic Safety Team, which is a group of law enforcement, social service, engineering firm and state road members who are concerned about road safety.

I brought it to the attention of the DOT and the CTST that there are dangerous gaps in the concrete sections of the Hillsborough-Nebraska Avenue intersection in Tampa that can easily catch a road bicycle front tire and pitch the cyclist into traffic.

Here are the photos of the problem.






And the statement:

Jan. 28, 2009

Dear Peter Hsu, Florida DOT and CTST,

Thank you for allowing me to bring these items to your attention. I have submitted photos to show the dangerous gaps and space between the concrete sections in the Hillsborough Avenue-Nebraska Avenue intersection in Tampa. The gaps can easily allow a bicycle wheel to get caught and cause a bicyclist on a road bicycle to lose control, tossing said bicyclist into traffic and imperiling his or her life. I hope the DOT can please repave that intersection or at the very least, fill in the gap so that there is no open space.

In addition, I would like to reiterate SWFBUD’s request to please assure the safety of bicyclists who are now using the Gandy Bridge in light of the closure of the Friendship Trail. SWFBUD is asking the DOT to look at what can be done to make conditions safer for bicyclists on the Gandy Bridge. One option is looking at the shoulders and installing concrete barriers to separate bicyclists and vehicular traffic, thus creating a safe cycling space for bicyclists.
Thank you for your time,

Sincerely,

Alan Snel
Director of South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers, SWFBUD
Tampa Bay area bicycle stores united for bicycle safety and to grow bicycling in the Tampa Bay market

Home of the Bicycle Bash by the Bay, 2007 Florida Bicycle Event of the Year, as awarded by the Florida Bicycle Association