For Motorists: Tips on Sharing the Road with Cyclists
Under Florida Law, a bicycle is a vehicle and entitled to be in the roadway.
(FS 316.2065)
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Watch for cyclists the way you would watch for other vehicles. Expect them. Look specifically at bicycle lanes for a cyclist riding to the right and close to the curb – especially when pulling out of a side street!
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Be patient and disengage from the rage! Give cyclists the benefit of the doubt! Cyclists are vulnerable on the road. Think of them as a family member. No matter who is “right”, no one wants anyone to be “dead right”.
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Do not honk unless danger is imminent! Almost every cyclist is riding with a rearview mirror and is aware of your presence. At most, a light tap when you are 20 feet away may be appropriate. Never blast your horn and never out of rage. You will make a bad situation worse by startling the cyclist.
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Keep a distance of a minimum of 3 feet between your car and the bicycle. While 3-feet is the law in Florida (FS 316.083), other states require a minimum of 4 and 5 feet. Be aware that there may be some debris in the road or a pothole that forces the bicyclist to move further into the lane. Give the cyclist plenty of room and drive defensively.
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Pass slowly and smoothly:
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Whenever possible, wait to pull into another lane when passing a bicyclist.
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Do not pass a cyclist who is in a roundabout – even if the cyclist is riding to the side of the road. Cyclists will “take the lane” (i.e., ride in the middle of the road) when riding in a roundabout and on narrow roads since it is less likely that they will be clipped by a driver trying to stay in his lane while passing the cyclist.
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Do not pass a cyclist who is riding in the bicycle lane in order to get ahead to make a right turn. Always wait for the cyclist to turn first or to pass the intersection!
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Do not underestimate the speed of cyclists. In Florida, you should expect a road cyclist to be traveling between 15 and 20+ mph. It is very difficult for cyclists to “stop on a dime” when motorists cut them off.
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If raining, know that the cyclist you pass will be wearing your splash. Proceed slowly.
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Make eye contact with the cyclist when practical.
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What to do with the peloton? A peloton is a pack of cyclists riding wheel-to-wheel, sometimes side-by-side, in double “pace lines”, taking advantage of something called the “draft” to ride at very fast speeds. These riders ride as if they are connected cars on a train. Be aware and keep your distance. Use extreme caution when passing. A recently passed Florida law permits up to 10 cyclists to ride through a stop sign after the first rider stops. FS 316.2065 (5)(b)
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Look for cyclists before opening your car door.
Share the road as if a life depends on it.
Because it does.