Bicycle Safety

City of Sanibel Bicycle Safety:

Ride Safe and Know the Rules of the Road

Bicycle Laws In Florida: The bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle. Bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways and must obey the same traffic laws as the operators of other vehicles. These laws include stopping for stop signs, riding with the flow of traffic, using lights at night, and yielding the right of way when entering a roadway. There is only one road, and it is up to bicyclists and motorists to exercise care and show respect because they share the roadway. Strict adherence to the law is the foundation for this respect.

TRAFFIC LAW HIGHLIGHTS

Bicycle Regulations (Section 316.2065, F.S.)
A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls and signals.
A bicyclist must use a fixed, regular seat for riding.
No bicycle may be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.
At least one hand must be kept on the handlebars while riding.
Parents and guardians must not knowingly allow a child or minor ward to violate any provisions of this section.
Every bicycle must be equipped with a brake or brakes which allow the rider to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

Sidewalk Riding (Section 316.2065, F.S.)
When riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
A bicyclist riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks must yield the right of way to pedestrians and must give an audible signal before passing.

Lighting (Section 316.2065, F.S.)
A bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front and both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from 600 feet to the rear.
Additional lighting is permitted and recommended.

Signaling Turns (Sub-section 316.155(2) and 316.157(2), F.S.)
A signal of intention to turn must be given during the last 100 feet traveled by the bicycle before turning.
If a bicyclist needs both hands for control, the signal need not be given continuously.
A bicyclist may signal intent to turn right either by extending the left hand and arm upward or by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.

Helmets (Section 316.2065 (3d), F.S.)
A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is fastened securely under the passenger's head by a strap, and that meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSIJ S 90.4 Bicycle Helmet Standards), the standards of the Snell Memorial Foundation (1984 Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling), or any other nationally recognized standards for bicycle helmets. As used in this subsection, the term "passenger" includes a child who is riding in a trailer or semi-trailer attached to a bicycle.

IMPORTANT SANIBEL ORDINANCES FOR BICYCLES

Sec. 66-167. Mechanical condition and equipment.
Bicycles. No person shall operate a bicycle which is not in good mechanical condition so that it can be safely operated. Equipment on all bicycles shall include the equipment required by state law. Businesses renting or providing bicycles shall comply with all safety standards required in this article for such bicycles rented or provided.

Sec. 66-169. Certain bicycles and mopeds prohibited.
No person shall operate upon any street or shared use path of the City any bicycle or moped which is designed and equipped so that the normal position of the operator thereof is supine or that the normal position of the operator is such that there is no clear, horizontal line of sight over the handlebars and all other parts of the bicycle or moped. For purposes of this section, "supine" means situated so that the torso of the operator is at an angle of greater than 25 degrees from vertical.

No bicycle or other human-powered vehicle which exceeds 36 inches total width shall be operated, or offered for rental, by any person for operation upon any public shared use path or any public street or road within the City.

Sec. 66-165. Driving on a bicycle path.
(a) No operator shall drive a motor vehicle or moped upon the shared use path or other portion of a roadway set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, or bicycles and pedestrians, except for crossing incident to appropriate access to adjacent property.

Bicycle Safety Helmets
Bicycle riders under the age of 16 are required to wear a bicycle helmet.
Helmets are an essential element to bicycle safety.
Helmets are an important safety device to protect your head, especially the brain. from injury.
Always strap on an approved safety helmet before you ride.

Plan your Ride

Bicycling is a fun and healthy exercise. Before riding your bicycle on roadways, take time to learn the rules. Many bicyclists are seriously injured in accidents because they are less protected than drivers of automobiles and/or they do not practice safe riding skills.

By observing Florida bicycle laws and following safety rules, your bicycling will be enjoyable and more importantly, safer!
Some local governments have additional laws and regulations for bicycles. Please make sure you check with your local government office to see if there are additional laws and regulations you have to follow.

Prevent Bicycle Injuries Don’t be a Statistic

Each year, more than 500,000 people in the US are treated in emergency departments, and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries.

Children are at particularly high risk for bicycle-related injuries. In 2001, children 15 years and younger accounted for 59 percent of all bicycle-related injuries seen in US emergency departments.

Learn more about the problem of bicycle related injuries and what you can do to prevent them.

The “Ride Safe and Know the Rules of the Road” Brochure was created by the Sanibel Police Department in an effort to assist the public in understanding Florida laws and Sanibel City Ordinances pertaining to bicycles and to create an understanding concerning bicycle safety issues and safe bicycling practices.

City of Sanibel
Bicycle Safety Brochure