I think that we’ve just about made it through the brutal Florida winter. For those of you outside of Florida, I want to remind you that we had at least 2 or 3 days of almost freezing temperatures this year. With the nice Florida weather and still being considered as an acceptable COVID related activity, bike riding is enjoyed by millions of people of all ages. I thought it would be a good time to remind, inform and otherwise educate you with some bike riding and driving safety tips.
First some real and sobering facts.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2019 stats, 846 cyclists were killed in crashes with vehicles in the United States. That’s over two people each day across the U.S and a 12.3% increase, from 2012 statistics. There were also over 45,000 reported persons injured. This number of injuries is only for documented accidents reported to law enforcement. I would guess the actual injury number is much higher. Most bicyclist deaths occurred between 6 and 9 p.m. Twilight lighting, rush hour traffic and tired riders or drivers play a role in the number. The vast majority, 75%, of bicyclists killed were in an urban area. The number of males killed was eight times higher than females. The largest number of males injured were between 20 to 24 years old. Children under 15 accounted for 7 percent of all pedal cyclists killed. Twenty percent of fatal bike crashes involved alcohol with the rider having a blood alcohol content of at least .08%, which is legally impaired. Yes, you can be arrested for DUI on a bike.
Florida usually ranks at the top when it comes to cyclist deaths. Florida was number one for bicyclists’ deaths in America for 2019 with 125 riders killed. California had 124 deaths and most every other state had less than 50 people killed. There were no bicyclist fatalities in South Dakota, Vermont or Wyoming.
This isn’t the category we like to win. I can go on and on giving you statistics why being a safe rider and driver is vital, but I think you may already see the importance of having a little reminder about bike safety. Statistics do not show who was at fault between vehicles and bike crashes, but as you might expect, when a crash occurs between motor vehicle and a bike, it is the cyclist who is most likely to be injured or killed.
Florida has many bike laws. 316.2065 is the Florida Statute number for bicycle regulations. Listed here are excerpts of that statute. For the full statutes, you can go to www.leg.state.fl.us/STATUTES/.
• Every person propelling a vehicle by human power has all of the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle. Essentially if you are riding a bike on the road, you must comply with the same laws that apply to vehicles. This means you must stop at stop signs. You must also ride with the flow of traffic. All 50 states have a similar law to this.
• 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 federal safety standard for bicycle helmets.
• Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use or if no lane is marked for bicycle use (There are no dedicated bike lanes in Celebration), as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. There are a few exceptions to this as: When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction, when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict.
• Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and shall ride within a single lane. Please be aware of vehicles behind you and move to a single file formation to allow cars to pass.
• Every bicycle in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a light on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a light and reflector on the rear each exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear.
• A person riding a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, which is legal in Florida, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. Parents, please remind your kids of this one. I have gotten complaints about this.
• I save the best one for last. No parent of any minor child and no guardian of any minor ward may authorize or knowingly permit any such minor child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this section. This means parents or guardians can be ticketed for allowing their kids to break the laws.
Some other tips for Drivers:
Remember that people on bicycles have the same rights as you behind the wheel. Yield to bicyclists as you would motorists and do not underestimate their speed. This will help avoid turning in front of a bicyclist traveling on the road or sidewalk, often at an intersection or driveway. In parking lots, at stop signs, when backing up, or when parking, search your surroundings for other vehicles, including bicycles.
Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and behind to avoid hitting a bicyclist approaching from the right rear. Stop completely and look left-right-left and behind before turning right on red. Obey the speed limit, reduce speed for road conditions and drive defensively to avoid a crash with a cyclist. Give cyclists room. Do not pass too closely. Pass bicyclists as you would any other vehicle—when it’s safe to move over into an adjacent lane. Florida law states to give riders at least three feet space when you pass them.
Some tips for cyclists.
Select or ride a bike that is the proper fit for you. If buying a bike, ask questions of the sales person and make sure the bike is properly put together. The staff at Evolve Bikes, get many bikes in for repair that were incorrectly assembled at other stores. Make sure you feel comfortable to safely ride a bike, especially near vehicles. Adjust the seat accordingly. Ensure your bike is working correctly. Remember to check the A-B-C’s, Air, Brakes and Cables/Chain before each ride. Have the proper equipment, including lights, helmet and reflectors. Wear light colored or reflective clothing also if out in the evening or at night, even when using the lights. Carry any items in a backpack, basket or carrier to leave your hands on the handlebars and brakes. Always look ahead on the road for hazards like potholes or leaves. Assume the drivers do not see you and take appropriate actions to avoid being hit. Avoid texting or covering both ears with headphones with music blaring. Remind yourself that you’ll most likely be losing the battle if involved in a crash with a car, regardless whose fault it is.
Florida’s nice year-round weather, an abundance of trails, bunches of tourists not knowing our laws (or just blindly sightseeing), both local drivers and bike riders who are disrespectful or just don’t care and along with an increasing population, seem like a recipe for disaster to happen. Does that sound familiar? Celebration has the same exact mixture. I really hope both drivers and riders do their parts to make this the one of the places in Florida without a statistic. Please be safe….and be respectful of others.