Archive of questions, answers about Florida bicycle laws and law enforcement
“Control & release” is a cooperative technique used by savvy cyclists to discourage unwise/unsafe passing.[/caption]
Generally, the rules about overtaking and passing apply to operators of all vehicles. Passing must be accomplished safely and without interfering with the vehicle being passed. Overtaking drivers must change lanes to pass another vehicle unless the lane is wide enough (14-16 feet, depending on vehicle size) to pass a bicycle safely, allowing a minimum of 3 feet of clearance, while remaining within the lane. If on-coming traffic, a blind curve or other hazard exists, the overtaking driver must wait until the hazard is no longer present.
Bicyclists in narrow lanes are not required to keep right or ride single file, regardless of the presence of drivers desiring to go faster. Bicyclist must only move right and ride single file if the lane is wide enough to share. A bicyclist remaining far to the right in a narrow lane is at risk of unwittingly encouraging drivers to attempt to unlawfully and unsafely pass within the lane. Moving to the center of the lane communicates to the overtaking driver that there is not room to safely pass within the lane. Bicyclists may even move to the left side of the lane to discourage a pass where there is oncoming traffic, limited visibility to the oncoming lane or a stop sign, stop light or queued traffic ahead. Motorists often try to pass without taking such things into account, smart and assertive bicyclists will attempt to stop an unwise pass.
Question Gary asked: In Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores FL, Gulf Blvd is one lane divided by a double yellow line which means no passing. There’s a designated bike lane. These groups of bicycle club riders some times blocks …
Question Nathan asked: If two cyclists are on the shoulder, one with (motorized) traffic and the other against traffic, who has right of way?
Question Linda asked: If a bicyclist is in the bike lane and a car is in the car lane – is there a distance that the car must stay away from the bicyclist? (i.e. in Maine, the car must stay …
Question Frans asked: Question 1: As I understand, lane splitting is illegal except when the width of the lane (14 ft minimum) provides enough space for two vehicles. A motorbike is not much wider than a bicycle, which makes you …
Question Doc asked: If car traffic is traveling slower than I am on my bicycle, may I pass those vehicles on their right? The road is quite wide, with a three to four foot paved shoulder marked by a solid …
Question Mark asked: Recently I was pulled over and given a warning for crossing a double yellow line at my school. The problem occurs when some people drop their kids off at the “car drop off point” while others go …
Question Laura asked: In Florida, is it law that cyclists (and I presume motorists) must pull off the road when practicable, when a certain number of vehicles are following behind them in a non-passing zone? As a young driver of …
Question Mary asked: Bicycle safety. One of the most crucial, but often overlooked factors in bicycle safety is the Florida rule that bicyclists should ride within 3 feet of the right curb. (That is why the marked bicycle lanes are …
Question Kevin asked: One of the roads that I travel to work is frequented by bicycles. Sometimes they are two abreast, and sometimes there are many traveling in a single file. This road has curves in some areas, and double …
Question Dennis asked: What is the correct method of passing another cyclists in a marked bike lane? To me it makes sense to announce “Passing on left” and simply pass outside the marked bike lane using the regular roadway. Of …