Originally Posted by
buzzman
I've noticed the same thing. Florida seems to think that if they put a little bike path around a park or along a residential street they've accomodated cyclists. Almost as though it's inconceivable someone might actually want to get from point A to point B by bicycle.
Florida had it's major wave of development begin after WWII and really take off in the 50's, 60's and early 70's and that was the height of the autocentric suburban sprawl design. With higher gas prices and the longer distances people have to drive in Florida to go to the supermarket or to work- except in the much older cities in Florida there is seldom a real "town center"- it's going to get tough for Florida's economically challenged populations to get around. Florida seems destined to be a victim of the quick profit/fast growth mindset that led to poor planning for a sustainable future.
You are right, of course. I grew up in a small town in south Louisiana, and as a kid I was able to get around it by bike easily. I was able to cross what was the highway dividing the town with not much trouble. There were no bike lanes but traffic was low and everything was accessible. Not here. I can't imagine a kid trying to get around here. This area has grown up considerably in the past 10 years without a cohesive plan. It's just suburban sprawl and stores.