Florida Warns Bicyclists and Drivers: Share the Road!

According to the Florida Highway Patrol traffic crash data, Marion County has already met last year’s annual number of four bicycle deaths.

According to FHP, “the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle and has all of the privileges, rights and responsibilities on public roads (except for expressways) that a motor vehicle operator does.”

In a campaign to encourage sharing the road and respecting the rights of others to use it, FHP has issued the following reminders to bicyclists and motorists:

Bicyclists may ride out of the bike lane in the travel lane for their own safety on narrow roads to avoid obstacles or pavement hazards, or to prepare for a left turn. A bicyclist may use the full lane even while traveling substantially below the speed of traffic if the lane is too narrow for both a car and bicycle to share.

According to the FHP, if a cyclist is riding on a sidewalk or crosswalk, they have all the rights and duties as a pedestrian. However, you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
Motorists must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing.

Drivers should also yield to bicyclists when turning, and they should avoid using high-beam headlights when passing a cyclist.

Cyclists must obey all traffic controls and signals, including traffic signs and red lights. The FHP encouarges cyclists should also stay alert and not text or wear headphones or ear buds while they are biking. In addition, cyclists should not ride a bicycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you are riding a bicycle, FHP encourages everyone wear a helmet. However, for cyclists under the age of 16 it is mandatory. It is recommended that you also wear fluorescent or neon colors when you are riding during the day.