BIKING SAFETY TIPS

Rules in Florida for Bicyclists

Obey all traffic controls and signals.
Do not ride a bicycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Stay alert – do not text while biking or wear headphones or ear buds so you can hear everything around you.
If you are not traveling at the speed of other traffic, you must use the bike lane, and if no bike lane is available, you must stay on the right-most side of the road.
You may use the full lane when making a left turn, passing, avoiding hazards, or when a lane is too narrow for you and a car to share it safely.
Use directional hand signals to show other drivers that you are about to turn.
Never attach yourself or your bike to any vehicle on the roadway.
If you are riding on a sidewalk or crosswalk, you have all the rights and duties as a pedestrian. However, you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
Between sunset and sunrise, you must have a white light visible from 500 feet on the front of your bicycle and a red reflector and a red light visible from 600 feet on the rear. Be seen – wear neon or fluorescent colors and wear something reflective when riding at any time during the day.
All bicyclists and passengers under age 16 are required to wear helmets. However, it is recommended that all bicycle riders wear a helmet, no matter their age.
When riding with others, you may not ride more than two side-by-side unless it is part of a roadway reserved for bicycles; you must ride single file if you and the other rider are impeding traffic.

Pay attention and listen for tour guide instructions during the ride
When the guide says "single file," all riders should form a single line behind the guide
When traveling on a shared road where bicycles and cars are permitted, the tour group should take up the entire lane unless otherwise instructed by the tour guide
"Car front" indicates that a car is approaching the front of the group
"Car back" indicates a car is approaching the group from behind
"On your left" is said when a rider is passing the left side of another rider
"On your right" is said when a rider is passing the right side of another rider
"Stopping" is said when anticipating an upcoming stop
"All clear" is said when there is no traffic and it is safe to cross an intersection
"Sidewalk" is said when the group should move from the road to a sidewalk, forming a single line behind the guide
When turning left, riders should extend their left arm outward so others behind may know intentions
When turning right, riders should extend their right arm outward so others behind may know intentions