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 Dana asked: As more bicycles and riders enter our roadways and ride in traffic with motor vehicles, I am concerned that certain bike riders that I encounter seem to display a righteous indignance about the “3 foot law” when …
Question Kathy asked: Vehicle traveling on 3 lane busy road in rush hour traffic. 2 way with turn lane in the middle for intersection with stoplight. Vehicle stopped at light and needs to get into turn lane (approximately 5 cars …
Question James asked: I was cycling south-bound along A1A near the Haulover Park traffic signal, when a transit bus approaching me started blowing his horn. In fear of an accident, it caused me to swerve off the roadway. I was …
Question Rodney asked: Does the three-foot minimum passing statute apply to motorists if a cyclist is operating in a designated bicycle lane? If not, wouldn’t it be more prudent to forgo the use of the bicycle lane with regards to …
Question Ron also asked: And to further the rights of a shoulder-traveling cyclist, a vehicle in the oncoming lane of a two-lane road should not overtake another vehicle in the oncoming lane if there is bicycle traffic in the opposite …
Question Ron asked: Does the 3-foot rule apply to vehicles overtaking cyclists that are traveling on the shoulder, outside of the lane edge line?
Question Ron asked: We know the 3 foot clearance rule for vehicles overtaking the cyclist. Does that distance apply to oncoming vehicles as well? When meeting an oncoming vehicle that is overtaking another vehicle on a 2 lane road, is …
Question: Anthony Asked: If a bicyclist is traveling behind a vehicle in a substandard-width lane and the vehicle slows or stops can the bicyclist overtake the vehicle on the right?
Question Can a driver legally pass a bicyclist that is taking the lane in a “No Passing Zone”?