Torres: I asked for your Brevard transportation gripes. Here's how you responded

I asked and you responded.

Back on May 1, just about three weeks before FLORIDA TODAY's weeklong look at traffic safety on the Space Coast kicked off, I asked you to send us your Brevard County transportation concerns.

I received emails about aggressive drivers, congestion on the roads, failing infrastructure and, of course, the dreaded traffic circle in Viera. The following is a sampling of the responses we received. I hope that our numerous stories this week will help answer most of the them.

I also hope the series of stories brings the topic of transportation safety to the front of everyone's minds. We want people thinking safety as they embark on their drive to work, evening jog, walk with the grandkids or bike ride. Safety is only really achieved if we all do our part.

OK, enough of my pontificating and on to your traffic/transportation concerns.

Mini-bikes and unregistered motorcycles

Paul from Titusville wrote:

"I am not only concerned about the e-bikes and scooters running on the sidewalks, but also the illegal gas powered mini bikes and unregistered small motorcycles racing on the roadways. I have called the sheriff's department and they have come out, but they are not stepping up enforcement to correct this problem. The parents have to be warned that allowing/encouraging this illegal behavior is not acceptable and that they should face charges for allowing. They are the people responsible for this by purchasing the bikes and giving them to their kids to knowingly break the law."

Turn lanes in Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island

An anonymous reader sent in this about turn lanes, especially on SR A1A in Cape Canaveral and on Courtenay Parkway on Merritt Island:

"This is the most dangerous thing to drivers as too many drivers pull out and into one of these lanes but wind up blocking the other lane causing traffic to have to slam on their brakes in order to not hit them. I don't know how many times I have had people pull out making a left into this "middle" lane and almost get hit or cause traffic to have to stop. I think this lane needs to be gotten rid of and there should be no left turns pulling out onto these roads...way too dangerous for everyone. Another thing is SR 528 when it goes down to 45 mph right as you pull into Cape Canaveral...NOBODY SLOWS DOWN TO 45, except me and I almost get rear ended EVERY TIME...NO POLICE EVER THERE TO ENFORCE IT.

More: City of Cape Canaveral squashes roundabout plans and arrives at two traffic alternatives

Bicycles and the right of way

Scott asks:

"Who exactly has the right of way concerning bicycles/ e-Bikes in the travel lane on roadways?

Dangerous drivers and paths for bikes and pedestrians

Mark wonders why our transit system, Space Coast Area Transit, uses the unfortunate acronym SCAT? He also had this to say about roads, bike paths and sidewalks:

"I live, drive, walk and ride my bike in downtown Melbourne. You have to be very attentive and cautious no matter how you plan to get where you are going. There are some motorists who are willing to risk blood and treasure to get to wherever, but unfortunately, not enough treasure to compensate victims. It is what it is.

"Bicycle Paths and Lanes are nice wherever they are located, but they are often abruptly truncated. Hibiscus Bike Path and Hickory Bike Lane is an example. Connecting the segments as much as possible would provide better recreation and be safer for everyone.

"Sidewalks should be restricted for pedestrians, small children with bikes and adults walking their bikes.  Especially downtown it is very dangerous to pedestrians to have bicycles, motorized scooters, skateboards etc  operating on the walkway."

E-bikes

This reader thinks the Viera traffic circle is a problem area and also said this:

"If a sign on a trail says 'No Motorized Vehicles,' that should include e-bikes. I have been other places where they were specifically banned. It’s really dangerous to be on a trail with walkers, bikes, baby carriages, and some idiot on an e-bike comes whizzing in and out at 25 mph. Also, posted speed limits on our roads have become just suggestions to many Brevard drivers, and police traffic stops seem to be fewer and fewer."

More: State Rep. Tyler Sirois excited about Brightline station in Cocoa despite 'work to do'

Amazon, FedEx delivery trucks

Hilah from Merritt Island thinks some delivery drivers are creating dangerous situations with how they park. Here is what they said:

"A concern I have is delivery trucks for companies such as Amazon, FedEx, etc. parking in the middle of roads instead of pulling completely off the road to deliver packages. It creates dangerous situations when traffic is going into the opposing lane to get around the delivery vehicle. This often occurs when the house getting the delivery has a driveway! The delivery driver places convenience over safety when parking in traffic lanes."

The SR 520 bridge in Cocoa

In addition to aggressive driving, Mike is concerned with:

"What the DOT has done to SR 520 in Cocoa is ridiculous. Not sure how first responders are supposed to get over the bridge in either direction, but it’s going to cost somebody’s life. People are now using Delannoy Ave. in Cocoa Village as a shortcut while speeding through a full-on pedestrian zone."

Traffic circles

Alexander says:

"I live a few miles south of the Wickham/Lake Andrew circle. It can be a stress venture as one approaches the circle. I believe some of the stress can be alleviated if drivers used their turn signal showing their exit from the circle. This is especially true for those drivers traveling east/west on Wickham. If drivers would pay attention to the sign that shows which lane they should be in as they approach the circle, then identify by a turn signal, which lane they plan to exit, it would be a big help to other drivers and a lot less stressful. That all said, there was a saying used years ago, 'Watch out for the other guy.'"

Dangers on US 1 and Grant Road

Christina shared these two concerns about transportation in the southern tip of the county:

"The First Street and US 1 intersection in Grant has no light and high speed traffic regularly exceeds the 55 mph speed limit. Cars turning left out of First onto US 1 are taking their lives in their hands. It’s no better at Valkaria Road and US 1, which also sees almost daily accidents.

"Speeding on Grant Road. The long term closure of Micco Road for bridge repairs has increased traffic twofold. The speed limits on Grant Road are 45 mph and 35 mph in some areas. But cars and trucks regularly exceed 70. I live on Grant Road and invite you to sit in my driveway and watch the speeding. This is a rural community filled with wildlife especially Sandhill Cranes and Gopher Tortoises which don’t cross quickly. Grant Road is quickly becoming a connector road for folks in Palm Bay instead of Malabar."

Viera 'Circle of Death'

Nathan from Suntree bemoans the "Circle of Death" in Viera as well as:

"Another road hazard I avoid at all cost is trying to turn left onto N. Pinehurst Ave from southbound N. Wickham Road. Cars turning left from northbound Wickham Road block the view of cars going straight on northbound Wickham. If the left turn was only allowed on a green turn signal, it would eliminate the problem. It’s the solid green (yield to oncoming traffic) that causes all the near-misses I have had there."

No warning from passing drivers

And, finally we have this offering from Jim in Viera, who likes to go for a run most days:

"My biggest concern is people who overtake me without ever signaling their presence until they go flying by. Although other runners will sometimes pass me, the ones that are most scary and startling are the golf carts and bikes. We have a deaf neighbor who was hit from behind and seriously injured by a golf cart several years ago and I nearly experienced the same fate when I reached the halfway point on a run and turned around only to find myself staring at a golf cart less than 10 feet away. The driver's comment was 'I didn't know you were going to stop.' I didn't know either until I looked at my pedometer. Many other times, I have been startled by a cart or bike suddenly flying by my shoulder.

"I don't begrudge sharing the wide sidewalks in Viera with carts and bikes, but I wish they would honk or yell out to let me know that they are there, what their intention is. If I know someone wants to pass (whether bike, pedestrian or golf cart), I am happy to acknowledge them and move aside to give them plenty of space to pass.

"I always call out if I am overtaking a walker or slower runner to let them know i am approaching from behind and which side I plan to pass on."

Thanks again for sending me these terrific responses. Let us know after May 26 what you thought of our weeklong look at transportation in Brevard.

Contact Torres at [email protected]. You can follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @johnalbertorres.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard traffic concerns: Circles, bad drivers, e-bikes and more