Biking - Rules of the Road
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These Guidelines provided for informational purposes only, to help you enjoy biking & to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
** Tips for Bicyclists ** Know and follow the rules. The rules of the road are for everyone using the road. They exist to make us all predictable to one another. Here are the basics: * Bicycles are defined as vehicles in Florida. * Always ride the same direction as traffic. * First come first served. * Yield to traffic before entering a road or roundabout. * Yield to overtaking traffic when changing lanes. * Obey traffic control devices (gates, too). |
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RIDE BIG
Most roads in The Villages have lanes that are not wide enough to be safely shared by cars and bikes operating side by side. Drive your bike on the right side of the road two to three feet from the edge of the road or solid line. This discourages motorists from squeezing past you and reserve space to avoid a hazard.
COMMUNICATE
As part of the system, you need to pretty predictable to other drivers. Communication makes you predictable. Use hand signals for left and right turns as well as slowing and stopping. Signal turns and lane changes. When motorists know what you want to do, most of them will try to help you out!
BE VISIBLE
Ride with brightly colored clothing that provides contrast. Use blinking lights and reflectors day and night. Make eye contact with other drivers.
CONSIDER YOUR SAFETY
Always wear a properly fitting helmet, no matter how short the trip. Use a rear view mirror. Hydrate and never overlap the wheel of the rider in front of you.
** Tips for Motorists **
DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY
When encountering cyclists reduce speed. Don't tailgate, especially in bad weather. Recognize that cyclists may encounter hazards and give them space.
Most roads in The Villages have lanes that are not wide enough to be safely shared by cars and bikes operating side by side (11' rather than the alternative 14' width). The biker is supposed to drive on the right side of the road two to three feet from the edge of the road or solid line, in other words towards the middle of the 11' lane. This serves to remind motorists of the danger from squeezing past the biker. The biker is reserving space to avoid a hazard.
YIELD TO CYCLISTS
Bicycles are considered Vehicles by Florida law under Motor Vehicle chpt. 316.003 (2) and have full use of the roadways. Cyclist should be given the appropriate right of way. Allow extra time for cyclist to traverse intersections and roundabouts.
PASS WITH CARE
Before passing a cyclist, wait for safe road and traffic conditions. When passing, leave at least three feet between you and a cyclist and look back before returning to your lane.
BE CONSIDERATE
Scan for cyclist in traffic and at intersections. Do not blast your horn in close proximity to cyclists. Remember to look for pedestrians and cyclists before you open a vehicle door.
WATCH FOR CHILDREN
Children on bicycles are often unpredictable. Watch for the unexpected and slow when approaching a child on a bike. Children can be harder to see because of their size.
OFFERED BY... Sumter Landing Bicycle Club
Want to discuss safe bicycling personally or at one of our club meetings? Through the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club, speakers are available to discuss many cycling subjects and are certified as instructors by the League of American Bicyclists.
Email contact: DaveLawrence2@me.com
Also see: - Bike Safety Part 1 http://www.villages-news.com/bicycle-traffic-part-1/
Bike Safety Part 2 http://www.villages-news.com/bicycle-traffic-part-2/
Both by: Dave Lawrence, Director of Safety for the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club and is also a
League of American Bicyclists, League Cycling Instructor. (Mar. 2017)
Most roads in The Villages have lanes that are not wide enough to be safely shared by cars and bikes operating side by side. Drive your bike on the right side of the road two to three feet from the edge of the road or solid line. This discourages motorists from squeezing past you and reserve space to avoid a hazard.
COMMUNICATE
As part of the system, you need to pretty predictable to other drivers. Communication makes you predictable. Use hand signals for left and right turns as well as slowing and stopping. Signal turns and lane changes. When motorists know what you want to do, most of them will try to help you out!
BE VISIBLE
Ride with brightly colored clothing that provides contrast. Use blinking lights and reflectors day and night. Make eye contact with other drivers.
CONSIDER YOUR SAFETY
Always wear a properly fitting helmet, no matter how short the trip. Use a rear view mirror. Hydrate and never overlap the wheel of the rider in front of you.
** Tips for Motorists **
DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY
When encountering cyclists reduce speed. Don't tailgate, especially in bad weather. Recognize that cyclists may encounter hazards and give them space.
Most roads in The Villages have lanes that are not wide enough to be safely shared by cars and bikes operating side by side (11' rather than the alternative 14' width). The biker is supposed to drive on the right side of the road two to three feet from the edge of the road or solid line, in other words towards the middle of the 11' lane. This serves to remind motorists of the danger from squeezing past the biker. The biker is reserving space to avoid a hazard.
YIELD TO CYCLISTS
Bicycles are considered Vehicles by Florida law under Motor Vehicle chpt. 316.003 (2) and have full use of the roadways. Cyclist should be given the appropriate right of way. Allow extra time for cyclist to traverse intersections and roundabouts.
PASS WITH CARE
Before passing a cyclist, wait for safe road and traffic conditions. When passing, leave at least three feet between you and a cyclist and look back before returning to your lane.
BE CONSIDERATE
Scan for cyclist in traffic and at intersections. Do not blast your horn in close proximity to cyclists. Remember to look for pedestrians and cyclists before you open a vehicle door.
WATCH FOR CHILDREN
Children on bicycles are often unpredictable. Watch for the unexpected and slow when approaching a child on a bike. Children can be harder to see because of their size.
OFFERED BY... Sumter Landing Bicycle Club
Want to discuss safe bicycling personally or at one of our club meetings? Through the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club, speakers are available to discuss many cycling subjects and are certified as instructors by the League of American Bicyclists.
Email contact: DaveLawrence2@me.com
Also see: - Bike Safety Part 1 http://www.villages-news.com/bicycle-traffic-part-1/
Bike Safety Part 2 http://www.villages-news.com/bicycle-traffic-part-2/
Both by: Dave Lawrence, Director of Safety for the Sumter Landing Bicycle Club and is also a
League of American Bicyclists, League Cycling Instructor. (Mar. 2017)