Comments on: Commuter Tips and Advice

By: Theodore Petritsch

Theodore Petritsch — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 22:34:37 +0000

W/ respect to Mr. Texxs – Mr. Haskell is correct. Here in Florida we are certainly entitled to the lane. We can claim the lane if it a sub-standard lane width. It is worth noting the the Florida Department of Transportations Florida Greenbook (the minimum standards for roadway design in Florida and adopted through the Florida Administrative Code) notes that the minimum lane width which a motorist and a bicyclist can safely share is 14 feet wide. This text was specifically inserted into this document to provide a way to better quantify the “lane is too narrow” text in 316.2085, F.S.

By: Rusty Haskell

Rusty Haskell — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:10:54 +0000

In response to Texxs, cyclists in Florida actually only ride as close as possible to the right. Left turns are specifically listed as an exception to this…

Roadway position
(Section 316.2065(5) and (6), F.S.)

Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway, except under any of the following situations:

* when passing another bicycle or [other] vehicle proceeding in the same direction
* when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway
* when reasonably necessary to avoid any hazardous condition, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard-width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For the purposes of this subsection, a “substandard-width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

You can find a nice summary of Florida bike laws at:
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/laws/ped_bike_bikeLaws1.htm

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 09:31:36 +0000

If you wear a backpack, be sure to get a reflective backpack cover. The number of cyclists I’ve seen that have reflective jackets that then cover up the largest area of their back with a backpack is astonishing. I also recommend rear facing flashing lights. Turn them on even when its light out

By: Texxs

Texxs — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:52:55 +0000

Juyst a quick note to the riders in FL or anyone who might ruide a bike here in FL while on vacation. It hass to do with:

“3 RC
Assert yourself in traffic. The best defence against being squeezed at intersections is to take your legally deserved lane.”

Here in Florida, were not legally entitled to a lane. We are leagally confined to the gutter, unless there is debris in it. The law makes no mention of what we are supposed to when turning left (maybe were just not supposed to).

Is it why we have the top 4 dealist cities to ride a bicycle in? I’m not sure. Maybe it’s the old folks.