It started a bit off, given that during the month of May, the Venetian Causeway has been closed to all-but-local traffic, cutting off our one way to bike down to Downtown from the Beach. Rather than face Biscayne Blvd., risk the MacArthur Causeway, or waste time taking a bus, we decided to drive (which, on reflection, provided a bit of a bookend to our Bike Miami experience for this year, as we also drove down to the first one). We used one of the Pay-to-Park spaces since it was cheaper than the parking at Bayside, and off we went.

This is the first time we’ve been there early enough to attend the customary rally, this time on the steps of the Courthouse. There was live music and some kiosks with varied information. We got to see some of the “regulars” and were greeted by Kathryn Moore, tireless Bike Miami dynamo that she is for Mayor Manny Diaz (did you know the Mayor’s on Twitter?). We saw some folks dance for the chance to win three bikes and a dude pull a Ford Fiesta while on a bike. Then, off to ride.

The route by now is well-known to us. It extended once more to the Miami River, though there was nothing going on there this time around. The riverside was, however, preened and very inviting, though Lummus Park was, still, closed to the public. I was once again reminded of the potential for that area of Downtown Miami and the idea my wife and I dreamed up for a Downtown Riverside Marketplace, which I wrote up for Miami Metblogs (Part 1, Part 2).

Around this area we suddenly found the entrance to the Miami River Greenway, right under the I-95 Overpasses, except it was fenced closed after maybe a little over 100 feet. The paved walkway I know continues along the river all the way to the bay, but it is broken up in parts by construction and gaps that yet need to be bridged. If there’s a project the City of Miami (also on Twitter, by the way) needs to put attention to and get done as soon as possible, the Miami River Greenway is it; being able to highlight and drive traffic to this wonder of our city, the one urban river we have, would do wonders for Downtown and the City in general, not to mention that it would create another great addition to the route for future Bike Miami Days.

The rest of the day was spent riding around the usual route established by now. We visited Mary Brickell Village again, and marveled, as we walked around, at how many empty retail spaces it has and what a shame that is (note to developers: open a Kosher eatery here–or frankly, anywhere Downtown–and we’ll heap praises and money every time we visit Downtown/Brickell) given how beautiful the Village is. We noticed the smaller attendance to this event than in months past, and speculated that it had to do with the heat (it was HOT today) and the fact that it was the seventh event; both are good reasons why it makes perfect sense to close up Bike Miami for the summer and wait for the cooler climate of the fall to restart. There were hardly any kiosks and those that were left fairly quickly with less than a handful sticking around till the 2 PM closing time. Once again, Bayfront Park was not a part of the Bike Miami route due to a conflicting event.

We rode around, enjoying the chance to be on our bikes after about a three-month hiatus, but by 3-ish PM we were ready to head back home. We packed the bikes back on the rack, and said goodbye to Bike Miami for the time-being.

I’d like to do a review of Bike Miami as it’s grown since its inception seven months ago, but overall, we’ve been very pleased. Even this event, which by all accounts was the least attended, was successful in its stated goal of allowing people to explore the city in a new way and promoting bike culture in Miami. The summer break will be good for everyone, allowing excitement to build over the next four to five months. Come the fall, I know we’ll be ready to bike down again and party on two wheels.

Also, check out the post I wrote for Miami Metblogs: Miami Tops U.S. City for Cycling Events Thanks to Bike Miami Days.

You can check out the photos in the slideshow below or at Flickr: Bike Miami Days - 05/17/09.

Yesterday was the third edition of Bike Miami and I think it was the best one to date. Yes, the first one was really popular, but it had the newness of it to draw people, and the second one had to contend with the holidays for attendance, though even with that it was a cool event. This one, though, this Bike Miami, proved beyond a doubt that the institution is here to stay and that people are now going to expect it and reply in kind.

This Bike Miami featured a slightly different route than previous ones: Bayfront Park was not included due to an event there the night before, but the Flagler St. corridor was extended all the way to the Miami Riverfront and to Lummus Landing, an area I simply had no idea was back there (the southbound corridor ending at Mary Brickell Village remained the same). Road signs and water stations made a welcomed comeback, and the support of the Downtown Miami merchants was palpable and evident, energizing the streets and the riders in turn.

There was a steady stream of bikers throughout the length of the route during all hours of the event, even way into its final few minutes. Attendants included everything from families with multiple children, to casual/slow bikers, and lycra-clad cycling packs, everyone enjoying themselves, everyone showing their support for a more bicycle-friendly city of Miami.

As usual by now, we rode our bikes to Downtown, leaving the Beach at around 11:00 AM. The ride through the North Beach area was actually pretty uneventful this time around, thankfully. The one thing I did observe was the significant number of people riding their bikes around this area of the Beach, just going about their business. It was a very welcomed sight; it made me feel like a part of something greater, a movement that is slowly expanding, growing every single day.

Knowing we’d have to face the dreaded Dade Blvd, I decided every bit of it we could skip was a welcomed respite, so we went from Prairie Dr. to N Meridian Ave, which borders the edge of the Miami Beach Golf Club and saved us a whole block of Dade Blvd. Once on Dade, we rode on the sidewalk until we could cross Alton Rd and join the Venetian Cswy. bike lane.

Upon entering the Venetian Isles area (a very ethereal boundary that, to me, is signalled by the sudden appereance of the bike lane at Dade Blvd and N Bay Rd. (see map), even though this is still mainland Miami Beach), we were very pleasantly surprised to see a Bike Miami info kiosk and water station at the corner of Gibb Park. The folks there were talking to as many of the cyclists (and pedestrians) riding up and down the causeway as they could, giving out flyers for the event and brochures on cycling education, asking riders as they passed by, “Are you headed to Bike Miami?” I keep up with all the info coming out of the Mayor’s office on this event, and I had no idea this kiosk would be here. Whoever thought of it and put it into action, thank you, it was a great idea; I hope it had the desired effect. Frankly, I’d love to see more support for Bike Miami like this from the neighboring cities.

Our time riding around Downtown was just great. The route extension into Lummus Landing was a welcomed addition and frankly, a perfect example of what this sort of event can achieve, exposing participants to an area of the city many did not know about, myself included (I mean, we had a Public Fish Market by the river? Really? Why is it closed!). It’s too bad Ft. Dallas was closed for renovations, but it was cool just learning that it was there. We also saw the Scottish Rite temple (we have Masons in Miami?!) and the City of Miami Mounted Police stables, having a chance to pet the horses. There was a rally at Lummus Landing at 10:30 AM that we missed (we’re gonna have to leave the Beach really early to able to make it on time for one of these) and other events there and at Mary Brickell Village. There were also sponsors at Lummus Landing, including the now-ubiquitous Florida Bicycle Association, and stores like Mack Cycles, showing off the new Electra Townie Holiday bike that has me salivating.

We managed to see various of the friends we’ve been making over the past Bike Miami events and everyone was excited about the turnout for this one. The weather was once again gorgeous; we are getting spoiled, we know, but we’re going to enjoy it while it lasts. I mean, this was the weather on Sunday!

We decided to head back relatively early so we would not get caught riding in the dark. Heading down Venetian Cswy with a bunch other riders was a neat experience, actually. We decided to stop at Publix on Bay Rd. and 20th Street, and after that, deciding we really did not want to take Dade Blvd. again we vacilated with using Alton Rd, since it has a bike lane (another one of those that simply pops up out on nothingness), but instead we decided to use a backroad suggested by Neil from Urban Bike - South Florida, take N Bay Rd. And that we did, taking it from 20th Street all the way down to Chase Ave. That saved us from Dade Blvd completely, and Chase drops you at 41st Street in no time, from where we can catch our established route. We’re definitely going to be using N Bay Rd from now on to head Downtown. And a bonus, we got to see a starfruit tree!

We made it home while still daylight (for a change) and chilled out for the rest of the evening. We had a fantastic day of bike riding, and many thanks go out again to all the volunteers who work so hard to make Bike Miami such an awesome event.

You can check out the photos in the slideshow below or at Flickr: Bike Miami 3 - 01/18/09.

I also wrote a report for Miami Metblogs which you can read here:

My 3-year-old nephew came to stay with us for a week, and my wife got him a proper bike. We saw his “bike” at home in Orlando, an old tricycle he got when he turned 2, and it was just not working for him; his legs are now too long, so he couldn’t pedal well, making him very frustrated and not wanting to ride at all.

This new bike is the perfect size for him. Though he was fussy when he first got on, he quickly picked it up and a couple of days later, was out riding his bike with his uncle and aunt to the nearby park, a distance of about 1/2 mile round-trip. He doesn’t care for speed; he just wants to ride and see what’s out there. That’s a slow biker-in-the-making, for sure.

The tentative dates for Bike Miami Days 2009 include February 8, March 8, April 26 and May 17. We are hoping to bring the event to Little Havana, Wynwood, MiMo, Coconut Grove and other neighborhoods, too!

A big hurrah to Mayor Diaz and his entire team for supporting Bike Miami Days. See you there!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 18, 2009 for Bike Miami Days 3 (Tokyo Drift or The Search for Spock, you pick).

Also, Mike Lydon of TransitMiami.com has written an excellent Op-Ed piece titled “What a Difference a Year Makes”, chronicling the incredible strides the City of Miami has taken over the last year to turn itself into a bike-friendly place.

Mike submitted the article to the Miami Herald, but given they have not published it (the Herald has been downright horrible about helping to promote bike-friendly news, including Bike Miami Days), he put out via his column at Planetizen.com.

Go and read the article and be sure to join us in January for more Bike Miami Days.

The sophomore instance of Bike Miami Days (the first with the new name) is over and we had an absolutely great time. The weather was once again cooperating with us riders, holding at a cool level, looking like it might rain but never a drop falling from the sky, with gusty winds blowing in from the bay to make cycling a bit more interesting and to refresh the streets of Downtown Miami.

The event actually had a couple of improvements from the last time, most notable being the signs marking the route and the water stations with coolers and paper cones. Both were a great idea, and as the route continues to expand, they will come in even more handy. There was a new extension to the route down by the water and the AA Arena, but we were not able to find it the couple times we rode down there.

It is notable that there were a lot less attendees at this month’s event, and while that could be seen by some as a minus, I personally think that, considering the time of year, it wasn’t that bad (and from what I saw on a video posted at Miami Bike Scene, there were actually a lot more people earlier, before we arrived). There was also the poor promotion on the part of the local (mainstream) media, but I’ll rant about that later. We both still feel that it was a good event, and a necessary step on the road to creating a tradition out of Bike Miami Days. We extend our most heartfelt thanks to Mayor Manny Diaz (was that you in the grey shirt?), the small army of Bike Miami Days volunteers, and the Police Officers and Public Service Aides that made the streets safe for us riders for 6 hours and always had a smile (seriously).

Our day began a bit late. It was already 11:30 AM when we set out of the house, and at first I suggested we take the bus down to Lincoln Road at least. After waiting for almost 20 minutes, the bus arrived with a bike already on the rack, so we would have to wait for the next one. A quick inspection of the bus bike rack left us with the impression that the Amsterdam’s tires would not fit (something to check at a later time), so we just decided to ride Downtown.

We took the same route as when we rode to the Miami Book Fair, encountering pretty much the same bad spots for riding (Indian Creek between 71st and 65th, Dade Boulevard). It took us a bit less time than the last (about 1:30 total) and the route seemed shorter, perhaps because we knew it well this time.

What we did this time around more of was street riding. Once we hit La Gorce Dr. we switched to the paved road and kept going for a while like that, until we hit the bike lanes starting on Pinetree Blvd. and 45th Ave. Even then, because of the so-so conditions of the bike lanes (they are generally covered in gravel and sand, or blocked by trash, debris, fallen palm fronds or parked cars) we rode on the streets on and off. It actually wasn’t that bad; it was around noon, so we were very visible to drivers, and except for a couple here and there that passed us a bit too close for comfort, we had an uneventful ride. Until we got to Dade Boulevard.

We actually rode on the street at Dade as well; the sidewalk there is just horrible, and there is a lot of pedestrian traffic, so we decided to play it safe and use our legal right to the road. Which of course means we had idiot drivers honking and passing us by too fast and too close. Thankfully we hit the Venetian Causeway pretty quickly, and that part of the ride is just the best (even if the bike lane could use some repair in some places). We passed by a lot of cyclists riding eastbound (maybe some were coming from Bike Miami?). The first group were three guys in recumbent bikes that said hi and rang their bells when we crossed paths; after that, of perhaps 15 cyclists we passed, only two said hello back when I greeted them. It was disheartening, honestly. So, fellow cyclists, when you pass other members of the bicycle fellowship on the road, don’t be rude and greet them, either with your bell or with a quick wave.

We hit Downtown, rode down Biscayne and then joined the Bike Miami Days route, taking a quick spin around Bayfront Park first, dropping some toys at the Everglades Bicycle Club Toy Drive, chatting with some folks at the next kiosk (was that the Florida Bicycle Association? Whoever it was, they need better signage). I got to sample riding an Electra Townie and O-M-G what a great ride! Now I’m torn between a Townie or an Amsterdam for my next bike…

The time we spent riding was just enjoyable. It was great seeing families riding their bikes around Downtown again, as well as seeing more stores open to the public. Special thanks go to Kirk Jewelers for handing out water during the day; that was just extra nice of them. Mary Brickell Village was also hopping with cyclists and other visitors. There was a kiosk at the east entrance of the village where they were holding bike clinics, but I felt it was a bit too hidden away, even though there was a sign. Perhaps this can be brought over to the main street next time, so it can enjoy increased visibility.

It was already late in the day so we rode our bikes around some more, ate an apple by the fountain at Bayfront, then rode back to Tobacco Road for the Bike Miami Days After Party by TransitMiami. There I met the indefatigable Kathryn Moore, Bike Miami Days’ online guru, as well as other members of the Bike Miami Days Volunteer Team, including two gentlemen with whom we shared a table, beers and cycling and travel stories, Robert and Neil. 

By 4-ish we decided to head back, and to save up some strength, we rode the Metromover from Eight Street Station to College/Bayside, then to Omni Station, which dropped us right at the start of the Venetian Causeway. Riding the Metromover with the bikes was fine, though try as we might to be out of the way, people just did not care about the couple with the large vehicles and made our attempts at maneuvering almost impossible. Once the road, we rode the causeway leisurely all the way back to the Beach, and to Dade Boulevard, again.

This is where our wonderful day of riding went to heck. There is no sidewalk on the eastbound lanes, so we rode on the street, single-file since there is a lot of traffic there and we did not want to hold it up. Most cars drive down Dade Blvd as if they were being chased by Death itself, nevermind the various traffic lights, the residential area or the heavy pedestrian traffic. We were riding as close to the curb as possible, and cars were still zipping past us way close, some perhaps even just a foot away. We stopped at a red light at Dade and Meridian Ave. and when it turned green, I went, but my wife lost her footing so it took her a few seconds to get riding again. In that time, about five cars just started blasting their horns at her, and the car immediately behind her started accelerating menacingly. We crossed the intersection and let all the idiots pass us by, completely and totally angry at this display of trademark Miami rudeness and ignorance of bike laws.

Miffed as we were, we made the turn into Prairie Ave, and since it was starting to get a little dark, we decided to run two-abreast on the road, since traffic here was almost non-existent so any cars coming behind us would be able to pass us. One car came and flashed its lights at us before passing us by, then a guy in an SUV started honking at us and flashing his lights. He then passes us but drives parallel to us for a good full minute arguing with us about getting off the road.

“Learn the law, we have the right to be here,” I said. 

“Those have no tags,” was his brilliant response. 
“Doesn’t matter, learn the bike laws.”
For a moment he showed some concern. “But, for your own safety, ride on the side.”
“For our own safety, it’s better if we ride like this in this dark street and you pass us on the left.”
Then the anger came back. “I hope you get hit.”
“Thanks!” Argh! 

We were so incredibly mad; fuming, even.

We hit the bike lane on Prairie (which actually doesn’t start at the intersection with Dade, but at 28th St.) and rode uneventfully, thank G-d, to 41st Street, where we stopped to eat at Lofty Latte. After a very nice dinner, we rode nice and slow back to the house; even Indian Creek was a breeze after Dade Blvd! We made it back to the house at around 8 PM, tired but happy about our day of bike riding around Miami and Miami Beach.

Already looking forward to January’s Bike Miami Days.

You can check out the photos in the slideshow below or at Flickr: Bike Miami Days - 12/14/08.

Two Wheels Are Better Than Four

Written By Jim W. Harper    

[...] local blogger Daniel Perez owns a car but chooses to bike daily. He believes that flat, warm Miami is optimal for cycling. “Having been to Europe a couple of times, especially on my visits to Amsterdam, I was familiar and in love with the idea of the bike as a primary means of transportation,” says Perez. “After bemoaning the fact that Miami was a place that could have such a great bike scene but didn’t, my wife and I both decided to be the change we wanted to see. Riding our bikes has made us connect more with the city, with our surroundings, and made us feel good about doing our little part toward the conservation of our environment.”

Read the article.

Overall, I liked the article and the promotion it gives to Bike Miami Days (already declared a monthly event since the writing of the article). I wish Jim had included a link back to this blog, but that’s about my only gripe. I also wish the Biscayne Times website allowed comments to be added to a news story, and the suggestion has been emailed to the newspaper.

Hey, Jim, we’ll see you at the next Bike Miami, right?

I just got back from a 10-day trip to Seattle, land of many hills and even more bikes. Seriously, people talk about Portland as a mecca for cyclists, but Seattle doesn’t stay far behind. At any time of the day one can see cyclists going about their business all over the city and outlying areas, riding on the street, down the miles and miles of clearly designated and respected bike lanes, or sharing the road with their multi-tonned engined cousins. This is a city where cyclists are part and parcel of the normal flow of traffic, a worthy example for other cities to emulate.

Why is this important to this blog? Because we are considering a move to Seattle, and it was great to see that we would be able to continue our bike-riding ways in the Emerald City. Though there might come a day when this blog changes name to Slow Bike Seattle, for the time being we are still Slow Bike Miami Beach, and with Bike Miami Days coming this Sunday, Dec. 14, expect more cycling blogging from the Magic City (who named Miami the Magic City anyway?).

In the meantime, behold one of the more colorful bikes we encountered around Seattle, the Cow Bike:

We got this at Wal-Mart. I am so ready for Channukah!

I have joined Metblogs, a network of city-focused blogs for a number of metropolitan areas around the world. My friend Patricia is a contributor for the Seattle Metblogs and that kinda gave me the impetus to do the same in my own city. Given how the Miami Metblogs was downright suffering for lack of content (the last non-news post was in March 08) I decided this would be a great way for me to connect more with my hometown and a way to talk about the city aside from the topic of cycling, which I already cover in my Slow Bike Miami Beach blog (though I also expect to cover some cycling stuff on Metblogs as well).

So drop by Miami Metblogs and check out whatever I end up writing about there (and hopefully we’ll have more contributors joining up soon as well). You can check out my Author Profile page which includes links to articles written by me, or go to the front page and see what’s going on.