Florida Biking Safety Tips
John and Christian on a Sun Tandem
Whether you’re cruising the beach on one of our rentals or shredding the skinny tires on the 30A, your safety is very important to us(and should be to you!).
– Be visible. Wear bright clothing and reflective strips. Make sure your bike has reflectors.
-Check your tires for proper inflation and check to make sure your brakes are functioning correctly.
-Parking lots are more dangerous for a bike rider than the street.
– Ride in the direction of traffic, not against it.
– Stay in the bike lane or on the shoulder of the road. Bike can use sidewalks unless prohibited (like on the beach side of Scenic 98)
– Please don’t wear ear buds or headphones. You need to be able to hear what’s going on around you. Also, it’s the law in FL.
– Stay off busy roads such as U.S. Highway 98 -Scenic hwy 98 is perfect for biking and scooting
– Assume that motorists do not see you. Ride as if you are invisible.
– Attempt to make eye contact with motorists at intersections so they’re aware of your presence, and still don’t trust them!
– Don’t ride at dusk or dawn unless you have a red tail light, set it to flash so as not to be mistaken for a vehicle.
– Don’t ride at night unless you absolutely have to. If you do, use a headlamp, which is required under FL state law.
Florida ROAD RULES: Frequently Asked Questions
Are bicyclists allowed to ride on the sidewalk?
Yes, under Florida law. However, local authorities can prohibit riding on sidewalks within their jurisdiction. Bicycles are permitted on sidewalks in Fort Walton Beach, Destin and unincorporated Okaloosa and Walton counties. A cyclist on a sidewalk may ride in either direction but must yield to pedestrians.
What traffic laws do bicyclists have to follow?
A bicyclist is expected to obey the same traffic laws as a motorist as well as those laws specific to bicycles.
If there’s no marked bike lane, where should a bicyclist ride?
A bicyclist traveling slower than traffic must ride as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Hwy 30A has sidewalk on the beach side which is popular with pedestrians, joggers and cyclists. Most cyclists on road bikes will brave the roadway particularly during off-season.
How and where should a bicyclist cross the road?
Under state law, only at designated crosswalks.
What does state law say about wearing earbuds/headsets?
Bicycle riders are very vulnerable and need to be able to hear vehicles approaching from behind or to the side. Also, often faster cyclists will call out when about to pass so as not to startle the slower rider “On you left!” (even though in reality this alert is in and of itself startling, but not as much as someone zooming by right next to you)
Are bicycle helmets required?
Yes, for bicycle (and scooter) riders under the age of 16.