GULF STREAM, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation has announced plans to improve safety along A1A from Delray Beach to Palm Beach Island.
This includes installing sharrow markings on the sidewalk in the city of Gulf Stream, which would allow cyclists to use the entire lane.
This happened after eight cyclists were hit by a wrong-way driver along the Gulf Stream already in January.
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“How often do you pay attention to cars?” asked WPTV reporter Joel Lopez.
“Oh, all the time,” said cyclist Marty Pawlicki.
Pawlicki lives in Briny Breezes and said he has been cycling for 30 years and has never collided with a car.
He said he saw police stopping cars on A1A, but also said parts of the road were unsafe for cyclists.
“I mean, it doesn’t get any wider here in the Gulf Stream,” Pawlicki said, referring to the bike path on A1A.
“Do you think that’s wide enough?” Lopez asked.
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“No,” said Pawlicki.
We looked into it and according to FDOT, Palm Beach, Ocean Ridge, Briny Breezes, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach have unmarked shoulders on both sides of the road.
You will get “Share the Road” signs.
In places like Manalapan and Gulf Stream, there were no shoulders. These roads will be provided with pavement markings.
“I just hope it’s a single line and not a 150-line that you can’t cross, because once you get to that point, you can’t get over it,” said Noel Zmistowski.
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He said he drives on A1A every day and has almost collided with cyclists.
“I think it’s extremely dangerous. People have to pass oncoming traffic to get past them. They need four feet of clearance and they can only drive 25 miles per hour on a 35 mph road. I think they should go to a public park or the gym,” Zmistowski said.
“What do you think could be done to share the roads along A1A?” asked WPTV reporter Joel Lopez.
“Don’t let them drive on A1A. I understand the view is beautiful there, but find another place,” Zmistowski said.
The marking projects are just the first step in FDOT’s plan.
In the next five years they will have seven Renewal projects along the A1A, where 1.50 m wide bicycle paths are to be created in areas where there is space.
