I see them all the time. Riding their bikes they look like any other boys across America two-wheeling around town. Except they’re not riding for fun. Some are barely past the boy stage. Others left it a long time ago.
I’m referring to the farm workers I see all around the Redland riding their bikes to and from work. The other night as I drove west on 200th street I passed two of them, one after the other. It was pitch black and they seemed to come out of nowhere. Of course, they had been there but I just didn’t see them until they came into the realm of my headlights.
I was struck by the notion that anyone who might have had too much to drink could have killed one of them. Or both. The thought still pops into my head when I see another on this mode of transportation.
As dangerous as it may be to ride a bike at night on the dark, agricultural streets of the Redland, they’re thankful to have a way to get to work. Some aren’t so lucky and have to walk. I saw two ladies and a child walking in the rain one evening and backtracked to pick them up. Part of me wanted to help them and another part was troubled that they had taken a ride from a stranger. We hear so many bad things.
I had my mother and daughter in the car with me and even so, they thought twice before getting in the car with us. I rejoiced at that secretly. They had been waiting for their ride when it started raining. The ride was late and they headed to Krome on foot. It was at least a mile and a half away.
Just the other day Dad brought a migrant worker to the house to pick out a bicycle for himself. He had given him a ride in the past and knows that this man walks about 3 miles each way, each day. We have some unwanted bikes and knew it would make a difference to him to be able to cycle to work and not have to walk. I fixed him a sandwich while they looked at the bikes.
It turns out he had a bike in the past but it had been taken from him. Stolen would be my guess, although he didn’t call it that. As I looked at the grown man pedal away on a bike that had belonged to my then-twelve-year-old nephew I hurt for him and those like him.
They work for pay that I’m sure is less than most Americans will work for. And back-breaking work at that. Some like to whoop it up on the weekends and head down to Homestead for a little beer and a little dancing. After working hard all week, I can’t say I really blame them. Some have no way to get there and have their beers closer to home. Others don’t drink and just keep to themselves.
I’d love to get bicycles for all of them. And give them jackets with reflective decals to keep them safe. And while I’m wishing, I’d like dedicated bike lanes too. I can dream, can’t I?
Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Keller Williams Realty.
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I wouldn't stop and give someone a ride. Your safety (and that of your mother and daughter) should come first and it's too great a risk.
Maybe you could start a bike drive...where you could gather up used bikes from around town and then give them away to those in need. But I would never bring any stranger to my own house, I'd do this in a public parking lot (get permission) and hand out or post flyers of the day and time bikes will be available to anyone who wants them.
When I lived in South Florida I sold a few homes in Homestead I was surprised at how Rural West Dade really was. They make blinking lights for your bike. This would be a great accessory to any bike give away. Great post.
Hi Maggie,
We too have many people on bikes as a form of basic transportation. We do have bike lanes in SoCal, yet not enough. I'm a bike rider myself and I can't tell you how many close calls I've had. Most drivers just don't look around enough for others on bikes, I've been guilty of it myself.
oh Maggie,. I feel your compassion. I feel the pain and frustration of transmitting the ideas of the importance and value of every human soul. These labels of 'illegals' are not right... sure they are undocumented, but they are working for a better life, doing the jobs that the locals would not. The abuse is way too much, as the pay is ridiculous for the work being done. I'll just leave this comment at that, before something comes out that may step on many toes... the truth. This is just one layer to many that plaque our society.
Thanks for making a difference in that man's life. I'm sure he won't forget you. Thanks for not looking the other way. hugs from me.
Maggie, you gave me goosebumps. You have a heart, and an important vision. Hang on to both- just don't forget to be careful!
The time you have taken for each person is not easily forgotten. You are making a difference, one at a time.
I got swamped with work and never came back to this post to acknowledge your comments.
Forgive me.
Thank you for stopping by to comment. This is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity. I could go on and on but work calls. Maybe I'll come back?
Renee - I would gladly take your bikes for them. Thank you.