Page 8 - April 2016 Life In Naples Magazine
P. 8
TRAFFIC LAWS FOR
BICYCLISTS, PEDESTRIANS
AND THE MOTORISTS WHO ENCOUNTER THEM
by Beth Brainard, A person riding a bike is entitled to the full use of
Executive Director Naples Pathways Coalition the left turn lane.
M otorists, before you blow a gasket; Bicyclists may not ride more than two abreast,
pedestrians, before you shout out and may do so only within a single lane. If the bike is
directions; and bicyclists, before traveling at less than normal traffic speed, the riders
you exhibit a rude finger salute, PLEASE may not impede traffic.
learn the traffic laws!
Knowledge of what is legal and what is not Lights on both the front and back of the bicycle are
should do a great deal toward diffusing the required and must be turned on between sunset and
considerable anger and frustration on the sunrise.
roadways and sidewalks.
When riding on a sidewalk or crosswalk, bicyclists
LAWS FOR PEDESTRIANS are obligated to follow the same laws as pedestrians,
which includes obeying the traffic signals and signs.
If there is a sidewalk, pedestrians must
use it, and if they choose to walk in the street In addition, bicyclists on a sidewalk or crosswalk
they are breaking the law. must yield to pedestrians.
In the state of Florida pedestrians must Bicyclists must give an audible signal before
obey traffic signs and signals, which means if overtaking and passing pedestrians. In other words,
you cross at an intersection,say at 5th Avenue ring a bell or say “Passing on your left,” to warn the
S and 8th Street, when the pedestrian signal pedestrian of your approach.
is red – you are breaking the law.
It is illegal for bicyclists to wear headsets or earplugs (other than a hearing aid) while
Upon legally entering a crosswalk, riding. Frankly, I feel this should extend to the use of mobile phones and be applicable to
pedestrians have the right of way over motorists and pedestrians as well.
vehicles including bicycles. However, it is
illegal for a pedestrian to suddenly move into CONFUSION ABOUT DIRECTION
the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is
impossible for the driver to yield. Bicyclists riding in the street must ride with traffic, but pedestrians walking in the street
must walk against traffic. Again, they can only walk in the street if there is not sidewalk.
Pedestrians crossing the street at any
point other than a marked crosswalk or Please remember that contrary to cultural tradition or what your mother taught you –
intersection must yield to vehicles including bicyclists ride with traffic, pedestrians walk against traffic. It is safer. In fact, the number one
bicycles.It is illegal to cross a street diagonally, cause of bicycle crashes and fatalities is bicyclists riding against traffic.
except where indicated by signals. In other
words, jaywalk at your own peril. LAWS FOR MOTORISTS
LAWS FOR BICYCLISTS When passing a bicycle, motorists must allow at least 3’in between
the car and the bicycle.
In Florida it is legal for bicyclists to
ride both on the street and on the sidewalk, When exiting a driveway, cars must stop prior to driving onto a
and they have the option to choose. The sidewalk, building entrance, or road and must yield to vehicles (that
exception is on sidewalks on 5th Avenue includes bicycles) or pedestrians crossing close enough to constitute
and 3rd Street S where City ordinances a hazard.
prohibit bicycles.
At a red light, cars must make an initial stop before a crosswalk in
When riding on the street, bicyclists an intersection, and yield to pedestrians (that includes bicycles if they are using the crosswalk).
are obligated to follow the same laws as
motorists, which includes obeying ALL A signal of intent to turn is required for cars to be given continuously during the last 100
traffic signals and signs. feet. (Bicyclists do not need to give a continuous signal.)
Please, let’s all get along.
Note to readers: If you want to learn more about bicycle and pedestrian laws you can find the
Complete Florida Statutes text at: www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes. Look for Title XXlll, Chapter 316.
8 Life in Naples | April 2016
