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6. Share the Road

In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle and has all of the privileges, rights and also responsibilities to make use of the roadway as a motor auto operator does. Bicyclists ~ above public roadways (except for expressways) have the same rights and also responsibilities as vehicle drivers of engine- vehicles.

Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists since they are entitled to share the road with various other drivers. Unequal motorists, bicyclists may also operate top top sidewalks (except where prohibited by regional ordinance), yet must productivity to pedestrians top top sidewalks and in crosswalks.

Riding versus the flow of traffic in the surrounding traffic lane on a sidewalk is not illegal. However, it areas cyclists where drivers entering or leaving the roadway in ~ driveways and intersections do not expect wheeled traffic. As cyclists move faster than pedestrians, conflicts between motorists and sidewalk riders at driveways and also intersection crosswalks can build rapidly.

6.2.1 - share the road with a Bicycle

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suppose to find a bicyclist top top all types of roads (except interstate highways), at every intersections and also roundabouts, in all species of weather, and also at all times the the day and also night. Bicyclists may ride out of the bike roadway in the travel lane because that their very own safety due to narrow roads, or to stop obstacles or pavement hazards, or come prepare because that a left turn. On roads without shoulders, or through cars parked follow me the right side, regularly the safest location for a bicyclist to ride is in the facility of the lane. A bicyclist might use the complete lane even while travel substantially below the rate of website traffic if the lane is also narrow because that a auto to safely pass a bicycle in ~ the lane. Most travel lanes in Florida range from 10" come 12" wide and guidance indicates that a 14" lane is a width that allows safe share with many motor vehicles.

Florida legislation requires that vehicle drivers give cyclists a minimum of 3 feet that clearance and reduce their speed.On a two lane road, happen a bicyclist prefer a slow relocating vehicle, and only as soon as it is for sure to do so.At night, stop using high beam headlights when you check out a cyclist approaching.Do not follow a cyclist very closely in stimulate to have actually adequat room to slow. Bicycles can maneuver quickly and also may minimize speed or swerve to protect against a road peril that a motorist can not see.Before opened a automobile door, inspect for bicyclists who might be approaching indigenous behind.Avoid honking your horn. Bicyclists deserve to usually listen an pull close vehicle and also loud noises have the right to startle bicyclists, bring about a crash.

6.2.2 - bike Lanes Intersections and Driveways

At intersections, constantly assume the bicyclists space traveling directly unless they signal otherwise. Yield to bicycles simply as you would to any other vehicle. Bicyclists regularly ride ~ above sidewalks and trails, so look both ways prior to crossing a sidewalk or trail. A bicycle may come native an unforeseen direction.

A large percentage that motorist bicycle crashes happen at intersections. As soon as making a left turn, inspect for and yield come bicyclists comes from opposing direction. When making a ideal turn, signal your turn, inspect for bicyclists, and do not turn directly in former of a bicyclist. They might travel faster than girlfriend think. When a bike roadway is present, signal her turn and yield to any type of bicyclist in the bicycle lane, prior to crossing the bike roadway to go into a right turn lane. If no ideal turn lane is present, productivity to any cyclist existing in the bicycle lane and make your turn behind the bicyclist. Otherwise merge into the cycle lane prior to making her turn.

6.2.3 - Young Bicyclists

Children ~ above bicycles can be unpredictable and can do sudden transforms in direction. Be especially careful when children are present, and also strictly follow the rate limit in institution zones and also residential areas.

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6.2.4 - Bicyclist sharing the road with Vehicles

Persons speak bicycles or mopeds on a roadway have actually the same rights (with particular exceptions) and also duties as motor automobile drivers and may it is in ticketed for web traffic violations. Know and also obey these laws:

Bicyclists must obey all traffic controls and also signals.An adult bicyclist may carry a child in a backpack or sling, son seat or trailer draft to carry children.You might not enable a passenger to remain in a child seat or carrier once you space not in immediate control of the bicycle.Bicyclists and passengers under period 16 are required to stay helmets that satisfy federal security standards. A helmet purchased prior to October 1, 2012, i m sorry meets the criter of the American national Standards Institute, the requirements of Snell Memorial foundations or any type of other nationally recognized standards for bicycle helmets adopted by DHSMV may proceed to it is in worn by a bicycle driver or passenger until January 1, 2016.Every bicycle should be equipped through a brake or brakes which permit the bicyclist to avoid within 25 feet as soon as traveling from a speed of 10 miles every hour top top a dry, level, clean pavement.A bicyclist ~ above a sidewalk or crosswalk should yield the right-ofway come pedestrians and also must give an audible signal prior to passing.Keep both hands on the handlebars.On the roadway, inspect behind girlfriend before transforming lanes or moving notably within the lane.For use in between sunset and also sunrise, a bicycle need to be equipped through a lamp on the prior exhibiting a white irradiate visible indigenous 500 feet to the front and also both a red reflector and a desk lamp on the behind exhibiting a red irradiate visible indigenous 600 feet come the rear.If you are not traveling at the rate of other traffic, continue to be on the right-most portion of the roadway other than when passing, make a left turn, staying clear of hazards or once a roadway is as well narrow because that you and a car to share the safely.When operation a bicycle on a one-way street with two or an ext traffic lanes, you may ride together close to the left- hand leaf of the roadway as practicable.If you intend to do a left turn, you space entitled to full use the the lane from i m sorry the revolve is made.In enhancement to the typical vehicular-style left turn, you may proceed with the right-most part of the intersection and also turn together close come the curb or edge as possible at the much side. After ~ complying with any kind of official traffic manage device, you might proceed in the brand-new direction of travel.Signal your intent to rotate to other auto operators by pointing in the direction you are going to turn.Do not wear headphones or any type of other listening an equipment except a hearing help while bicycling.Do not ride a bicycle once under the affect of alcohol or drugs.

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