Eli Stiers quoted in Fort Lauderdale Magazine article, "Blood in the Green Lane"

Managing Partner Eli Stiers was recently quoted in Fort Lauderdale Magazine article, "Blood in the Green Lane," discussing the dangers faced by South Florida cyclists and the challenges faced by local governments who struggle to improve conditions for road cyclists. 

Mr. Stiers, who is often asked to comment on these matters as a successful practicing personal injury attorney, cyclist, and knowledgable voice in the cycling community, gave his thoughts and recommendations concerning these challenges, and his perspective on cycling in South Florida, in general. 

“I began to realize South Florida was just a very dangerous place to ride,” after the well-publicized and tragic death of triathlete, Aaron Cohen, in 2012. “People have been hit and lost their lives, and this is just an unfortunate reality of living in South Florida," added Mr. Stiers. 

“Even when the financial benefit to me is minimal I almost always take a cycling case,” Mr. Stiers said. “I am fighting a bigger fight, trying to help a fellow brother- or sister-in-arms who is out there on the roadways, just like me, but unfortunately became one of the well-known statistics in Florida.”

As to how local governments and planning agencies can help mitigate these dangerous conditions, "everyone’s looking for physical separation between cars and bicycles."

“I think just completely separating bike lanes from the roadway (is) the gold standard," added Mr. Stiers. 

Unfortunately, Fort Lauderdale, and other local South Florida communities, including the City of Miami, have focused almost exclusively on painted lanes and sharrows, which have been demonstrated to have limited efficacy in preventing accidents, injuries, and deaths. 

For the full story, please click the link below to read more.

"Blood in the Green Lane," J. Swanson, Fort Lauderdale Magazine, January 3, 2023.