The Current Bicycling Craze
Diane and I have always enjoyed riding our bikes, and prior to this pandemic, we rode about once or twice a week. Since the pandemic, our cycling has doubled. We have been regularly biking around our community that surrounds us, and enjoying the outdoors in these strange times of social distancing. It appears everyone else is doing the same as well since every bicycle path has become a sea of activity. Bike sales in Florida have increased tenfold, and there is clear evidence of that everywhere you look.
Due to this increased cycling activity, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit the Florida law governing bicycles and cyclists. Florida defines a bicycle as a vehicle and the bicyclist as a driver. Thus, bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways as motorists do, and have to follow the same traffic laws. When I was younger, I had been told that I should ride my bike against traffic so I could see the cars coming at me. However, this is incorrect. Bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic, stop at stop signs and red lights, use lights at night, and yield the right of way when entering an intersection.
Under Florida Statute 316.2065(5)(a), it states that any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use or, if no lane is marked for bicycle use, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
- When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
- When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
- When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, turn lane, or substandard width lane.
The statute also states that persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, and may not ride two abreast if they are impeding traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at which time they should ride within a single lane.
Finally, Subsection (10) of that statute states that “A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian”.
In 2012, Florida’s bicycle regulations were amended to allow for bicycle lights to flash.
Under Florida law, a bicycle rider, or the passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted, fastened securely, and that meets the American National Standards Institute or any other nationally recognized standards for bicycle helmets. Additionally, we adamantly recommend that everyone wear a nationally recognized helmet even if Florida law does not require it as we have seen too many situations where people have suffered concussions or brain hematomas, from traumatic blows to the head. A fall from a bicycle or a collision on a bike causing a blow to the head resulting in a brain injury can potentially be prevented or at least significantly lessened by wearing a nationally recognized bike helmet. Diane and I wear a Bontrager WaveCel helmet and highly recommend it. They are very lightweight and comfortable, but still, provide the most effective techniques to help prevent concussions. Virginia Tech experts tested the helmet and gave it a perfect safety rating.
My hope is you have safe and happy travels while cycling throughout your community. Please follow the rules of the road, wear a helmet, and be safe out there!
Diane and I have always enjoyed riding our bikes, and prior to this pandemic, we rode about once or twice a week. Since the pandemic, our cycling has doubled. We have been regularly biking around our community that surrounds us, and enjoying the outdoors in these strange times of social distancing. It appears everyone else is doing the same as well since every bicycle path has become a sea of activity. Bike sales in Florida have increased tenfold, and there is clear evidence of that everywhere you look.
Due to this increased cycling activity, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit the Florida law governing bicycles and cyclists. Florida defines a bicycle as a vehicle and the bicyclist as a driver. Thus, bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways as motorists do, and have to follow the same traffic laws. When I was younger, I had been told that I should ride my bike against traffic so I could see the cars coming at me. However, this is incorrect. Bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic, stop at stop signs and red lights, use lights at night, and yield the right of way when entering an intersection.
Under Florida Statute 316.2065(5)(a), it states that any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use or, if no lane is marked for bicycle use, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
- When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
- When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
- When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, turn lane, or substandard width lane.
The statute also states that persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, and may not ride two abreast if they are impeding traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at which time they should ride within a single lane.
Finally, Subsection (10) of that statute states that “A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian”.
In 2012, Florida’s bicycle regulations were amended to allow for bicycle lights to flash.
Under Florida law, a bicycle rider, or the passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted, fastened securely, and that meets the American National Standards Institute or any other nationally recognized standards for bicycle helmets. Additionally, we adamantly recommend that everyone wear a nationally recognized helmet even if Florida law does not require it as we have seen too many situations where people have suffered concussions or brain hematomas, from traumatic blows to the head. A fall from a bicycle or a collision on a bike causing a blow to the head resulting in a brain injury can potentially be prevented or at least significantly lessened by wearing a nationally recognized bike helmet. Diane and I wear a Bontrager WaveCel helmet and highly recommend it. They are very lightweight and comfortable, but still, provide the most effective techniques to help prevent concussions. Virginia Tech experts tested the helmet and gave it a perfect safety rating.
My hope is you have safe and happy travels while cycling throughout your community. Please follow the rules of the road, wear a helmet, and be safe out there!