Quote:
Originally Posted by 60North
Just to share information to all of us: The governor signed into law CS/SB 950 on bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Some of the bicycle provisions that all automobile and golf cart drivers need to know:
1) Providing that no-passing zones do not apply to motorists who safely and briefly drive to the left of center of the roadway to overtake a bicycle, provided that such a passing continues to give the cyclist the necessary three feet passing clearance. If a motorist cannot safely pass at a distance of 3 feet or more, the law clearly states they must wait until a safe moment to pass.
2) Requiring a vehicle making a right turn while overtaking and/or passing a cyclist to do so only if the cyclist is at least 20 feet from the intersection and at a distance that the driver of the vehicle may safely turn. [Trying to prevent what bicyclists refer to as a "right hook"]
3) Authorizing cyclists riding in groups, after coming to a full stop, to go through an intersection in groups of 10 or fewer. Motorists are now required to let one such group pass before proceeding. [This should allow for better traffic flow for all vehicles.]
4) Providing guidelines for riding a bicycle in a substandard width lane and authorizing cyclists to ride two abreast to avoid dangerous conditions. [This allows bicycle groups to shorten up the length of their group, making passing easier for faster motor vehicles]
5) Requires at least 25 questions in the test bank for the driver license test to address bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Hope this clarifies some misunderstandings that will inevitably occur.
Cheers!
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Thanks! An excerpt and explanation of bike laws prior to the 7/1/21 changes. Much of it still applies. Note bikes can use sidewalks and crosswalks in FL. The link provides more good explanation.
“What Rules of the Road Must a Bicyclist Follow in Florida?
That depends on where you are riding. If you are riding on the street, you must obey the same traffic laws and rules of the road as the drivers of motor vehicles as well as laws about bicyclists. This requirement includes yielding to all traffic signs and signals. Despite what you may see some other bicyclists doing, you must stop for stoplights and stop signs. You cannot go through a red light even if there is no traffic coming.
If, however, you are riding your bike on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, Florida law will treat you as a pedestrian. In that situation, you must follow all the Florida laws that apply to walkers, and you have the same rights as them, except that you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and call out before passing them.”
Source:
Florida Bicycle Laws: What Drivers & Cyclists Should Know