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There’s no better feeling than cycling down the street while the wind gently blows against your face. Whether you’re doing it to keep fit, have fun, or commute to work, biking can be a pleasant experience. But to fully enjoy your freedom on the road, you need to understand what the law says about cycling and your rights as a cyclist.
Florida’s bike laws protect you as a cyclist in case of an accident. They also inform you of how to interact with other motorists while cycling. So before you grease your bike and get on the road, read about Florida’s bike laws below.
What are Florida’s Bike Laws?
Right to the Road
Did you know that bicycles are also considered vehicles? Like motor vehicle drivers, you as a cyclist have rights and obligations that need to be respected. This also means that you need to respect your fellow motorists, and knowing where to ride on the road is a great place to start.
Where to Ride
As much as a bicycle is considered a vehicle, it barely competes with cars in terms of speed. Therefore, to avoid slowing down traffic, cyclists are required to utilize the demarcated path for bicycles. If there isn’t a marked path, you need to keep as far right of the road as you can.
The only exceptions to this rule are when:
● You need to overtake or pass another vehicle.
● You’re traveling on a narrow lane.
● You’re avoiding a hazard on the road.
● You’re preparing to make a turn.
● You’re traveling on a one-way street.
You should also note that bicycles are permitted on the sidewalk if a clear cyclist path isn’t available. However, pedestrians have the right of way. This means you need to alert them at least a few meters before overtaking or passing them.
Your local authority may have a different rule concerning this law, so it is essential to check with them first. Sharing the road is a necessary skill. Therefore, you should know how to interact with fellow cyclists by learning how to ride.
How to Ride
Unless you’re in a stipulated bike lane, it’s not advisable for more than two cyclists to ride abreast. This may impede traffic and pedestrians, increasing the chances of a road accident. And since bicycles are slower than cars on most occasions, avoid obstructing the road and ride in a single file if you’re in a zone with speeding traffic.
Keep in mind that obeying traffic lights is a must. You should slow down and stop when approaching a stop sign or a red traffic light.
And most importantly, proper communication is essential when making turns, stopping, or changing lanes on the road. Make sure you signal to any present traffic to indicate your next course of action, and be careful when overtaking other motorists.
Bicyclists Overtaking Cars
If you need to pass or overtake a vehicle ahead of you, ensure you communicate by signaling using either your front light (at night) or your horn. Alerting the driver in front of you is crucial to avoiding road accidents.
Cars Overtaking Bicyclists
Motor vehicle drivers overtaking cyclists, should maintain a 3-foot clearance between them and the cyclist.
Equipment
If your child is going out for a ride alone or with friends, it’s vital to ensure their safety. Making sure they have the right cycling gear will help keep them safe on the road. If they are under 16 years, equip them with a properly fastened helmet.
You should also ensure your bicycle is adequately equipped for cycling at night. You will need a white light at the front that can be seen from 500 feet away, a rear red reflector, and a back lamp that is visible from about 600 feet. The lights will alert other road users of your presence, enabling them to keep their distance.
Remember to check your brakes every time before going out. Faulty brakes can be detrimental to you and other road users. Your front and rear tire brakes should enable your bicycle to come to a complete stop in less than 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour.
While on the road, you should also be aware of specific prohibitions for cyclists.
Prohibitions
Bicyclists are not authorized to cling to moving cars. The speed difference and the resulting momentum when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop may leave you with several broken bones.
Listening to music while riding your bike is also a bad idea. You need to have road awareness when you’re around other motorists. Unless it’s a hearing aid, it is prohibited for cyclists to have any kind of headset or earplugs on when on the road.
However, you can wear a one-sided headset that allows your other ear to listen to the sound of your surroundings.
When cycling with passengers, you must secure children under the age of four and riders weighing less than 40 pounds in a backpack, seat, carrier, or sling. Leaving an unattended child in the child seat or carrier of your bicycle is prohibited.
Motor Vehicle Drivers and Dooring
While on the road, you should be on the lookout for parked cars, especially when passing close to them. Drivers need to be aware of their environment as well. It is prohibited for motor vehicle drivers to open their car doors to harm, obstruct a cyclist, or interfere with the flow of traffic.
Vulnerable Road User Law (VRU)
Cyclists can be referred to as Vulnerable Road Users. This means that the sentence passed on drivers who harm cyclists will be harsher than usual. However, Florida is yet to implement any Vulnerable Road User laws.
Alcohol
Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal for any motorist, including cyclists. Therefore, if found guilty, you as a cyclist will be liable to the same punishment as drivers who violate Florida’s DUI statute.
The Bottom Line
For cyclists and car drivers to coexist on the same road, they have to respect one another. This begins with the understanding of road rules and regulations. For you to be regarded as a good cyclist, you need to adhere to these laws.
