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Bicycle riding rules

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  #106  
Old 02-01-2013, 09:43 AM
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If ya have to explain it........
I got it right away - I would bet most did.
  #107  
Old 02-01-2013, 10:23 AM
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I should have checked this myself. I just visited flbikelaw.org and to my surprise the legal interpretation is that each bike (vehicle) has an individual requirement to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, regardless of their being in a group. The operative law is FS 316.123. Here's a link to the discussion of this topic: Cycling Groups at Stop Signs and Red Lights | Florida Bicycle Law
There are some exceptions to this requirement, but they don't seem to apply to every day situations.

To me, it doesn't make a lot of sense because, if strictly applied, car drivers following a large group would be severely inconvenienced as each bicyclist stopped consecutively, before proceeding through the intersection, rather than as a unit. I'm glad that I don't normally ride in such groups.
But wouldn't everyone be taking turns? Like, a cyclist stops, car goes, next car stops, cyclist goes, etc.? I still think it's ridiculous to make them all stop individually, but I don't see where this would hold up a car waiting at a stop sign.

If the car had the stop sign and the cyclists didn't, then too bad for the car. I've waited minutes to get a clear shot to turn left out of Tamarind Grove onnto St. Charles at "rush hour."
  #108  
Old 02-01-2013, 11:07 AM
JoeC1947 JoeC1947 is offline
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I got it right away - I would bet most did.
coffebean didn't.
  #109  
Old 02-01-2013, 11:17 AM
Chazz Chazz is offline
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But wouldn't everyone be taking turns? Like, a cyclist stops, car goes, next car stops, cyclist goes, etc.? I still think it's ridiculous to make them all stop individually, but I don't see where this would hold up a car waiting at a stop sign.

If the car had the stop sign and the cyclists didn't, then too bad for the car. I've waited minutes to get a clear shot to turn left out of Tamarind Grove onnto St. Charles at "rush hour."
I guess I wasn't as clear as I could have been. I was referring to the situation where the car(s) are behind the group of bicycles.
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  #110  
Old 02-01-2013, 01:21 PM
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coffebean didn't.
Now I feel foolish.
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  #111  
Old 02-01-2013, 02:33 PM
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I guess I wasn't as clear as I could have been. I was referring to the situation where the car(s) are behind the group of bicycles.
Okay, gotcha now.
  #112  
Old 02-01-2013, 03:04 PM
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The thing about Florida Automobile and Bicycle Laws is that they are only good if you follow them. There are two things I am 99% certain of and that is:

1. About a quarter of the drivers will speed up to pass a golf cart that is merging from the diamond lane to the road at a gate. It happened to me this AM on Bailey Trail. Yes I did give an ample warning with my left signal. No I did not use a hand signal also as I normally do because the sides wre down on my cart as it was cold outside.

2. About half of the cyclist here never slow down for the gate, at intersection etc and just glide on through because they don't want to lose their momentum.

How concerned am I? Very
  #113  
Old 02-01-2013, 03:12 PM
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...2. About half of the cyclist here never slow down for the gate, at intersection etc and just glide on through because they don't want to lose their momentum.

How concerned am I? Very
Or, god forbid, have to put their feet down to dismount.
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  #114  
Old 02-01-2013, 03:32 PM
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I guess I wasn't as clear as I could have been. I was referring to the situation where the car(s) are behind the group of bicycles.
Which is why it makes sense to me for the cyclists to stop as a group, and proceed as a group when it is safe. This way no one is inconvenienced and traffic flow is optimized. Now if the first third of the group stops and the rest just follow on, I think there will be some upset people.

But it is not productive if cyclists and non-cyclists continue to paint everyone with the same brush. The relatively few on each side who display disdain for their fellow travelers should not spoil it for the rest. Share the road.
  #115  
Old 02-01-2013, 04:07 PM
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Which is why it makes sense to me for the cyclists to stop as a group, and proceed as a group when it is safe. This way no one is inconvenienced and traffic flow is optimized. Now if the first third of the group stops and the rest just follow on, I think there will be some upset people.

But it is not productive if cyclists and non-cyclists continue to paint everyone with the same brush. The relatively few on each side who display disdain for their fellow travelers should not spoil it for the rest. Share the road.
Agreed, particularly with respect to sharing the road.
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  #116  
Old 02-01-2013, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by rubicon View Post
The thing about Florida Automobile and Bicycle Laws is that they are only good if you follow them. There are two things I am 99% certain of and that is:

1. About a quarter of the drivers will speed up to pass a golf cart that is merging from the diamond lane to the road at a gate. It happened to me this AM on Bailey Trail. Yes I did give an ample warning with my left signal. No I did not use a hand signal also as I normally do because the sides wre down on my cart as it was cold outside.

2. About half of the cyclist here never slow down for the gate, at intersection etc and just glide on through because they don't want to lose their momentum.

How concerned am I? Very
Agree with Number 1.
Agree with Number 2 with this note: I sometime will move thru a gate with out stopping when you can go beside the gate in the cart lane and no other cars are going thru the gate. Most of the time, the gate keepers raise the arm for the cyclist so they do not have to stop and hold up traffic. When coming to stop sign sometimes when I know it is completely clear and no cross traffic I will proceed after slowing down, so I do know get ran over from behind. Which is a great chance of here in TV.

Perfect example: The cross street on CR-101 by the CVS. I do not know how many accidents they have there. Just had one the other day. Cars try to cross to continue down Wedgewood in front of Publix. They do not look to see who is coming. Very busy intersection and should not allow crossing there. But to make it to the point, Car shot across the road and luckily the car in front of me, T-Bone the lady in the door, if not she would have hit the motorcycle in the other lane.
That is how dangerous it is here. One person complains about the Cars. Another about the Golf Carts. Then someone complains about the cyclist. Never amazes me that the most complaints are the cars that think cyclist are not allowed on the roads. Everyone needs to slow down and watch.
On my bike I try to watch everyone. But I will tell you, go out on a bike and you will see some of the wildest stuff people here will do in a car and golf cart. Instead on getting on here and ranting and raving, try to understand the situation when you are in it. Just like complaining about the pack of cyclist going thru a stop sign together. I posted the other day about how 18 of us lined up at a stop sign and went thru one at a time. We got yelled at for holding up the cars. Had no idea that only cars have rights here in TV.
For Goodness sake it is a retirement community. Relax sit back, enjoy the sights,, Rollerblade on the MMP's, get out and walk. Everyone just relax... Enjoy life here in THE VILLAGES..
  #117  
Old 02-01-2013, 05:14 PM
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LOL...hmm...guess I'm not the only one aggravated by a bicyclist with their head up there butt.

When I'm biking on the road I do obey the rules of the road. Lived many years in self proclaimed bicycling capital You obey road signs just as if you're driving. When in a group you remain single file not to cause problems or impede the flow of traffic. That's one biggie I've noticed down here. I've seen two bicyclists riding side by side taking up an entire lane not to mention the packs. So fellow bicyclists...come on now get with it I still think the multi lanes are far far more safer than the roads. Even with the golf carts. Oh and something I should mention I saw a motor scooter on the multi path the other day buzzing along. Had to check into that one out of curiousity....nope they're not allowed because they are consider vehicular. So if you all know anyone doing it you might let them know.. I think that was on the district site.
  #118  
Old 02-02-2013, 09:44 AM
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I saw a motor scooter on the multi path the other day buzzing along. Had to check into that one out of curiousity....nope they're not allowed because they are consider vehicular.
.
Please cite your source. I think I read somewhere that if it is a 49CC scooter or less, and obeys the speed, then they are allowed on the MM.
  #119  
Old 02-02-2013, 10:22 AM
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... I've seen two bicyclists riding side by side taking up an entire lane not to mention the packs. So fellow bicyclists...come on now get with it ...
Under some circumstances it is legal and not an inconvenience to motor vehicles for cyclists to ride 2 abreast or, otherwise, take the lane. The applicable law is FL316.2065(6). I'll quote from the Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide: "In a lane "too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side" passing cyclists "at a safe distance" requires use of the next lane. In this case, cyclists riding two abreast cause no additional impediment to traffic."

The Florida standard width for a lane that allows a motor vehicle and a bike to share a lane is 14 feet (the area to the right of the white line does not count). There are quite a few roads here in TV that are less than that width.
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  #120  
Old 02-08-2013, 05:58 PM
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[QUOTE=ureout;525815]This morning I was riding my bike on the Buena Vista multi modal path near the Bel Air entrance. A bicycle club passed me, about 20 riders. As they were going past me 2 riders shook there heads and pointed at there ears because I was listening to my I pod and then a 3rd rider near the end of the pack yelled at me saying listening to that is illegal!!! Now here is the good part just up ahead the trail merges with the entrance road and there is a BIG RED STOP SIGN that all 20 bikers decided to just blow right thru it....I guess when you are in an offical bike club you get to pick and choose the rules of the road you wish to adhere

I would say both things are dangerous. Blowing a stop sign and listening to an I pod while on your bike. Please be careful ,enjoy the beautiful scenery .
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