Florida Bike Laws
Our Tampa bicycle accident attorneys will leave no stone unturned when investigating your case
Florida's sunny weather and flat terrain make it a popular destination for bicyclists, whether they're commuting, exercising, or enjoying a leisurely ride. However, with the increase in cycling traffic comes the need for a clear understanding of the laws that govern bicycle use on Florida roads.
These laws are designed to protect bicyclists and ensure their safety, but they also come with responsibilities. The Tampa bicycle accident attorneys at Armando Personal Injury Law have extensive knowledge of Florida’s bike laws. If you or a loved one was hurt in a bicycle accident, we can use our legal knowledge to your advantage and fight for a positive outcome of your case.
What are Florida’s rules for bicyclists?
Cyclists in Florida are granted the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. This means that, in most situations, they’re required to follow the same traffic laws as drivers. These include:
Obeying traffic signals and stop signs
Florid bicyclists must obey all traffic signals and stop signs, ride in the same direction as traffic, and yield the right of way when necessary.
Riding on the right side of the road
One of the most important rules is that bicyclists are required to ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, or avoiding road hazards.
Having proper safety equipment
In Florida, bicycles must be equipped with a front white light visible from at least 500 feet and a rear red reflector or light visible from 600 feet if ridden between sunset and sunrise.
Proper use of single lanes
Florida bicyclists are permitted to ride two abreast in a single lane, but they must not impede traffic. If riding two abreast would prevent vehicles from passing safely, bicyclists are required to ride single file.
Use of bike lanes
Bicyclists must use bike lanes when available, except when making a left turn, passing another bicycle, or avoiding a hazard. In areas where bike lanes are not present, bicyclists should stay as far to the right as possible while maintaining their safety.
What are Florida’s laws for drivers regarding bicyclists?
Florida law also imposes specific responsibilities on drivers when it comes to interacting with bicyclists. One of the most important laws is the "three-foot rule," which requires motorists to maintain a minimum of three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicyclist.
Drivers are also required to yield the right of way to bicyclists just as they would to any other vehicle. This includes situations where a bicyclist is in a bike lane, crossing a street, or making a turn.
Drivers must also be cautious when opening car doors near bike lanes to prevent "dooring" accidents. These accidents occur when a bicyclist collides with a suddenly opened car door.
In general, motorists are required to obey speed limits, obey traffic signals and stop signs, drive sober, and avoid using cell phones and other electronic devices behind the wheel.
Is a violation of Florida traffic laws evidence in a bicycle accident case?
If a motorist violates traffic laws, such as running a red light or failing to yield, and that violation leads to a bicycle accident, it can be used to establish negligence. Our Tampa bicycle accident attorneys can thoroughly investigate your crash and gather the facts to build a strong case. This involves proving four key criteria:
- The motorist must uphold their duty of care to follow traffic laws and drive safely.
- The motorist beached their duty of care by violating traffic laws.
- Your bicycle accident was caused by the motorist’s actions.
- You suffered injuries and damages as a result of the motorist’s traffic violation(s).
Our legal team will look for the following pieces of evidence when investigating your bicycle accident:
- The police report
- Statements from witnesses
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Cell phone records
- Statements from a crash reconstruction expert
- Your medical records
Let our Tampa bicycle accident attorneys find the facts that matter to your case
If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident in Tampa, the attorneys at Armando Personal Injury Law are here to help. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of bicycle accident victims and holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions.
No matter how hard the insurance companies try to shift the blame, we’ll always be one step ahead of them. With our extensive knowledge of Florida’s traffic laws, we’ll gather and present indisputable evidence during our negotiations. If the insurance companies try to push you around, we’ll push back.
To find out how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have, listen to your concerns, and advise you on what to do next.