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 State of Florida
Bicycle Laws
Traffic Law
Highlights
Bicycle
Regulations
Helmets
Equipment
Sidewalk Riding
Lighting
Roadway Position
Left Turns
Signaling Turns
Headsets
Why wear a
helmet?
Bicycle Safety Tips
Florida State Bicycle Laws
In Florida the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle.
Bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways; they must obey the same traffic laws as
the operators of other vehicles. These laws include stopping for stop signs and red
lights, riding with the flow of traffic, using lights at night, and yielding the
right-of-way when entering a roadway.
With few exceptions, there is only one road and it is up to
bicyclists and motorists to treat each other with care and respect. Strict adherence to
the law is the foundation for this respect.
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Traffic
Law Highlights
- Helmets (Section 316.2065(3)(d),
F.S.)
- A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must
wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and fastened securely upon the passenger's
head by a strap.
- Parents and guardians must not knowingly allow a child or
minor to violate any provision of this section.
- Equipment (Section 316.2065 (14),
F.S.)
- Every bicycle must be equipped with a brake or brakes which
allow the rider to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level,
clean pavement.
- Sidewalk Riding (Section 316.2065,
F.S.)
- When riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, a bicyclist has the
same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
- A bicyclist riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, must yield
the right-of-way to pedestrians and must give an audible signal before passing.
- Lighting (Section 316.2065, F.S.)
- A bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped
with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front and
both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from 600 feet
to the rear.
- Additional lighting is permitted and recommended.
- Roadway Position (Section 316.2065,
F.S.)
- A bicyclist who is not traveling at the same speed of other
traffic, must ride as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the
roadway. A bicyclist may leave the right-most portion of the road when passing, making a
left turn to avoid hazards, or when a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to share
it safely.
- A bicyclist operating on a one-way street with two or more
traffic lanes may ride as close to the left hand edge of the roadway as practicable.
- Riding in single file is required except on bike paths or
parts of roadways, set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, or when two people riding
side-by-side within one lane will not impede on traffic flow.
- Left Turns (Section 316.151(1)(b)(c),
F.S.)
- A bicyclist intending to make a vehicle left turn is entitled
to full use of the lane from which the turn is made. After scanning, signaling, and moving
to the center of that lane, the bicyclist must check the signal, then proceed when it is
green and safe to do so.
- In addition, to the normal vehicle left turn, a bicyclist may
proceed through the right-most portion of the intersection and turn as close to the curb
or edge as possible at the far side. After complying with any official traffic control
device, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction of travel.
- Another option available to a bicyclist is to dismount and
walk through the intersection in the crosswalk like a pedestrian.
- Signaling Turns ( Section 316.155(2)
and 316.157(2), F.S.)
- A signal of intention to turn must be given during the last
100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning. If a bicyclist needs both hands for
control, the signal need to be given continuously.
- A bicyclist may signal intent to turn right either by
extending the left hand and arm upward or by extending the right hand and arm horizontally
to the right side of the bicycle.
- Headsets (Section 316.304, F.S.)
- A bicyclist must not wear a headset, headphone, or other
listening devices other than a hearing aid when riding. Wearing a headset blocks out
important audio cues to detect the presence of other traffic.
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 Why Wear a Helmet?
It's the Law. There are many
good reasons to wear a helmet besides the most important one-that of preventing head
injuries:
Visibility: It is easier to see someone
wearing a bright colored headpiece especially at dusk, in rain or fog, or after dark.
Putting retro-reflective trim tape on the helmet makes you even more visible.
Emergency Data: If you have a medical
emergency condition, you can put information on a piece of tape inside the brim of your
helmet. Also tape a quarter inside for an emergency phone call.
Climate Protection: A helmet will help keep
your head dry in the rain. If you do have to cycle in bad weather, this will help to make
your riding much more enjoyable.
Image: When you wear a helmet, motorists
will expect you to ride correctly, since you will look like you know what you are doing.
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 Bicycle Safety Tips
Ride With Traffic: Wrong way
riders get hit by cars. One out of every five accidents is caused by wrong way riding. The
law in all 50 states requires bicyclists to go with the flow of traffic.
Look Before You Ride Out of the Driveway:
This is a cold truth: almost half of the young children killed on bicycles die when they
ride out of a driveway without first stopping or looking. Stop at the end of the driveway.
Look both ways for traffic. Go when it is safe.
Check for Traffic Before You Make a Turn:
Many children do not look for traffic before they turn left or right, or turn around.
Always look back, signal, check for traffic before you make any turn. Otherwise, you may
get hit!
Stop Signs Mean Stop:
It is hard for children to judge the speed and distance of an oncoming car. Often adults
ignore the law and run stop signs, too. Children will follow the examples of adults,
and will not obey the law unless adults do. Please STOP at all signs, and look for traffic
before proceeding.
For more information contact the Crime
Prevention, Child Safety, Victim Services Section at 863-534-6677. top |
