Question
Ian asked: Are there bicycle law toolkits for law enforcement in other states? I live in Maryland and would love to get something like this to my local law enforcement officials. read more…
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J asked: My wife and I rode our bicycles to a (football) game tonight. We were riding down xxxx Street, through traffic, when we were politely redirected by a police officer to follow the pedestrians because it “would be safer.” We followed/avoided pedestrians and came to the main crosswalk to the stadium. Still steering clear of pedestrians, we crossed through the crosswalk and were told by police that we were not allowed to ride our bicycles through the crosswalk. We immediately dismounted our bikes. I would love to keep riding bikes to games, but what’s the deal here? read more…
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Debbie asked: I was riding on a sidewalk/bike path. Headed west had green at intersection. A car headed east had a green light and was stopped in left lane, then turned left. I caught her out of the corner of my eye as I entered crosswalk, slammed on the brakes before either she hit me or I hit her. There was no contact with vehicle but I was injured. Who has the right of way? Would her auto insurance cover bills and loss of work? read more…
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Judith asked: What is the penalty for driving a motorized bicycle without a license? read more…
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Charlie asked: If a person on a bicycle is cycling on a sidewalk and there are pedestrian crosswalk lights, isn’t he/she obligated to obey the crosswalk lights? However, if he/she didn’t AND a vehicle is pulling out of a parking garage and pulls forward to the point that they are stopped on the sidewalk and the bicyclist crashes into the car, who do you feel is at fault? read more…
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David asked: If a deaf person is allowed to ride a bike, why can’t headphones be worn while riding a bike? read more…
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Luiz asked: Can a bicyclist receive a ticket for crash? Does the bicyclist have to have (and provide) liability insurance information when involved in an accident?
What if he did crash, in the rear, but the aftermath is a head concussion with memory loss? How it can be defended?
Can a bicyclist with an impeccable driving record have his driver’s license suspended for a bicycle accident? read more…
Question
Eric asked: Near where I live there is an old bike lane that is about 15-20 years old. It has solid white lines right up to the intersection where I routinely turn right when I drive my truck there.
FS says I should get far to the right before making a right turn. I pretend there are dashed lines there and do so, that way a cyclist will have to slow down or stop behind me and I have no chance of right hooking him.
My wife says I will get a ticket. I say even if I do, I can prove the lane doesn’t follow AASHTO standards/ Florida Green book standards and I will win.
Who is right? (Well, given that the county judge understands the law). read more…
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Keri asked: FDOT recently restriped several blocks of 2 one-way roadways in downtown. Both streets have three lanes and now have bike lanes on the right side. For most of my trips on these streets, my destination must be accessed from the left lane. In accordance with 316.2065(5)(b), I have always just used the left lane for the length of the road, so as not to have to merge across three lanes of traffic. Will HB 971 take away my right to do that? read more…
Question
Jill asked: As an adult, am I required to wear a helmet while riding my bicycle? Our traffic rules are the same as we observe on the roads and highways. However, there is less traffic and a more relaxed attitude. People ride bicycles in the street and on the walking paths.
Answer
We recommend that everyone wear helmets when cycling, but helmets are required only for children under 16 years of age.
FS 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations
(d) A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is fastened securely upon the passenger’s head by a strap, and that meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z 90.4 Bicycle Helmet Standards), the standards of the Snell Memorial Foundation (1984 Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling), or any other nationally recognized standards for bicycle helmets adopted by the department. As used in this subsection, the term “passenger” includes a child who is riding in a trailer or semitrailer attached to a bicycle.
