Obey the rules of the road. In Florida, as in most states, bicyclists have basically the same rights and responsibilities as motorized traffic. Ride with traffic, never facing it. Observe signals, stop and yield signs. Remember, sidewalks are for pedestrians.

If you ride at dusk or after, make yourself highly visible. A white headlight and red taillight visible at 500 feet and rear red reflector are required by law when bicycling. These lights should be supplemented by reflectors (pedal reflectors, wheel reflectors, etc.) and other devices such as arm lights, a rear flashing beacon, reflective tape for sewing on clothing and bike bags, bags constructed of reflective fabric, reflective tape on helmets and reflective vests.

Use common sense. Anticipate motorists’ errors such as pulling out of driveways without looking, making turns in front of you, or opening car doors into your travel path. Be alert for road hazards such as drainage grates, potholes, glass, or other debris.

Traffic Law Highlights

- No bicycle may be used to carry more persons than the number for which it was designed.

- When riding on a sidewalk, the cyclist has the same rights and responsiblities as a pedestrian, must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks, and must signal with a bell horn when passing a pedestrian.

- A bicyclist must ride as close a practicable to the right curb. A bicyclist may leave the rightmost portion of the lane to turn left, to aviod hazards, or when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a car.

- Children 16 and under must wear helmets.

- A bicyclist must not wear a headset, headphone, or other listening device when riding. These block out important audio cues needed to ride safely in traffic.