Spring is upon us and with the warmer weather comes the opportunity for our citizens and visitors to explore and enjoy our beautiful City. The following information is respectfully provided so that motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians travel safely while on our roadways and enjoy all that our City has to offer.
Under Florida State Statute a bicycle is considered a vehicle and a person in control of a vehicle on a street or highway is considered a driver. The following information is covered by Florida State Statutes.
- 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. The lamps are permitted to flash. Additional lighting is permitted.
- A bicycle rider or passenger under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted, fastened securely and meets federal safety standard for bicycle helmets.
- A cyclist may not wear a headset, headphone or listening device, other than a hearing aid, while riding.
- A driver, which includes a bicyclist, must obey all applicable traffic control devices. This include stop signs and traffic signals.
- The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle must pass the bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle at a safe distance of not less than 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle.
- Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or bicyclist.
- Cyclists may ride two (2) abreast only within a single lane and when not impeding traffic. Cyclists may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
- A pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than a (marked or unmarked) intersection crosswalk or a marked mid-block crosswalk shall yield to all vehicles on the roadway.
- When a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
- When a pedestrian is trying to cross a public street or highway, guided by a dog guide or carrying in a raised or extended position a white cane or walking stick, an approaching driver is obliged to bring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing and, before proceeding, shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring such pedestrian.
- If a mobility-impaired person (using a guide dog or service animal, a walker, a crutch, an orthopedic cane, or a wheelchair), is in the process of crossing a roadway at an intersection, drivers approaching the intersection must stop before arriving at the intersection and take reasonable precautions to avoid injuring such a pedestrian
If you have any questions about the information listed above, please feel free to contact Captain Doughney or any member of the Flagler Beach Police Department.
