Year-round great weather around the state of Florida means that we have a lot of time to engage in outdoor activities like bike riding. With 
many flat roads, Florida may be one of the easiest states to bike regularly, but it is also one of the deadliest. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida bicycle fatalities are the highest in the nation with 125 out of 783 bicycle deaths in 2017 attributed to the state.
Florida Bicycle Fatality Factors
Almost every driver has encountered a bicyclist on the road and every bicyclist who rides on the road has been passed by a car at some point on a ride. We are supposed to share the road, but when drivers or cyclists are not paying attention, a ride can become deadly. According to AAA, these are the most common factors that lead to a bicycle fatality in Florida.
- 38% Failure to yield the right-of-way.
- 10% Cyclist not visible due to darker clothing or no lighting.
- 8% Failure to obey traffic lights.
- 8% Improper turn.
AAA also surveyed bicyclists in Florida and learned the following stats.
- 36% Do not wear a helmet.
- 56% ride with traffic, and 21% ride against traffic. Of those who ride against traffic, 74% do it to see oncoming cars.
Safety on the Roads
At Panter, Panter, and Sampedro, we care about the safety of our communities and others throughout the state of Florida. We want to remind those who choose to ride a bike this summer that there are specific state laws that must be followed on the roads. In the same way, drivers must obey laws when they come in contact with cyclists on the road.
Here are a few laws that must be obeyed:
- If you are a driver that comes upon a cyclist on the road, you must give the bike at least three feet of space as you pass.
- Cyclists must ride on the right with the flow of traffic, ideally in a bike lane. However, if there is no bike lane, it is best to ride as far to the right as possible in order to give cars space to pass as needed.
- If you choose to ride a bike at night, ensure that you have lights on the front and back of your bike and always wear reflective clothing. AAA has determined that the most deadly time for cyclists is from 9 PM to midnight, so it’s a good idea to stay off the roads at that time if possible.
Other Safety Reminders:
- Never let children ride bikes unaccompanied or at night.
- Always wear a helmet.
- Learn and use the proper hand signals for turns, especially if you choose to ride on roads with other vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers an easy guide to hand signals here.
- Never allow anyone to ride on the handlebars or back of the bike. This is dangerous for everyone on the bike, and it can impede the cyclist’s vision for other vehicles on the road.
- Never assume that a driver sees you. Always try to make eye contact with a driver before you ride in front of them or make a turn. Your assumption could prove deadly.
- Never drink and ride a bike; the same goes for driving.
We hope that everyone stays safe on the roads, but unfortunately, you can’t always count on others to keep safety as a top priority. If you are the victim of an accident with injury on our roads that was the result of the negligence of another, contact us at Panter, Panter, and Sampedro at 305-662-6178.
References:
Chen, C., & Harding, A. (2019, May 29). AAA: Florida has most bicycle deaths in the nation. Retrieved from https://news4jax.com/news/aaa-florida-has-most-bicycle-deaths-in-the-nation
