Safety Guidelines

We want Bike Florida to be a safe and memorable event for everyone. Rides can be memorable because you do something you shouldn't and end up with a crash story (like me - on a mountain bike trail and not the road though), or because you had a safe ride and were able to enjoy the scenery along the route and entertainment at the end of the day. Let's do everything we can to make this a SAFE memorable ride... trust me, it's more fun that way. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THESE SAFETY GUIDELINES and also visit the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA) link about Cyclists' Rights AND Responsibilities.

Click here for a printable version of the safety guidelines.

1. Your bike

Keep your bicycle in good repair - Have it readied for Bike Florida, and then keep it safe to operate. It is especially important to make sure your brakes work well.

2. The gear

Helmets - You MUST wear a helmet on Bike Florida (even while riding around camp). It is estimated that 85% of bicycling fatalities can be prevented by helmet usage.
Clothing - Be noticed! Wear bright or florescent or retro reflective clothing.
Cycling Gloves - Gloves protect you hands from road vibration and also offer protection in case of a fall.
At night - Wear bright, florescent or retro reflective clothing and have a white headlight, red taillight and rear reflector. Better yet, don't ride at night on Bike Florida.

3. Communicate!

Signal turns and stops - This point can't be emphasized enough. Most accidents on Bike Florida involve two or more bicycles and most are the results of riders not letting others know of their intentions.

Sound off when passing - Use phrases such as "on your left," "on your right," or "coming through the middle."

4. Ride defensively and predictably!

When stopping along the Bike Florida routes:

• Let those behind know of your plans. Use a phrase such as "stopping".
• Make sure no bicycles or motor vehicles are immediately behind you when you stop.
• Stop at the right edge of the roadway and immediately move to the shoulder.
• Stay clear of the roadway, and park completely off of the roadway to make repairs, rest, visit, etc.
• Stopping is especially dangerous at the crest of a hill or on a curve, so be careful or continue forward to a place with better sight distance.

Don't weave - Ride in a straight line to make it easier for those riding behind you.

Don't draft - Drafting (similar to a pace-line) in a crowd is dangerous to yourself and others around you. There is no place for it on Bike Florida. Drafting vehicles is also dangerous and will not be tolerated on Bike Florida

Ride to the right - Ride as close as practical to the right edge of the roadway. Leave room for others to pass on your left.

When turning - Turn left from the center of the roadway, turn right from along the curb or shoulder.

5. Florida Law

Obey traffic laws - In Florida, bicyclists enjoy the same rights as motorists. Bicyclists also assume the responsibilities for riding in a safe and legal manner by:

• Stopping completely at stop signs.
• Obeying yield signs.
• Not crossing yellow lines in your lane.
• Riding to the right.
• Signaling for turns.
• Not cutting corners.
• Riding in a predictable manner.

6. Attitude

• Stay alert - Use your brain when you ride. You must be constantly thinking, looking and aware of what's going on around you.
• Pace yourself - Bike Florida is not a race, it is a bicycle tour. Don't try to keep up with someone who rides too fast for you. Riding too fast or in too high a gear is tough on your knees, heart and lungs and is unnecessary.
• Please stay on the marked route - The Bike Florida route has been selected for your safety. Services are not available to you if you are off the route.
• Be considerate.
• Be courteous to passing vehicles and other bicyclists.
• Cooperate with Bike Florida officials and law enforcement personnel and obey their signals.

7. Alcohol/drugs

Do NOT drink alcohol or use drugs and ride.

8. Pay attention

• Keep your head up and your ears open - Do not wear radio headphones while riding. It is illegal in Florida and very unsafe!
• Give the right-of-way to emergency vehicles - Pull to the right and stop if you hear a siren.
• Beware of loose gravel and watch for debris on the pavement - Trucks carrying sand, gravel and rock often spill some at intersections. Also, watch for pot holes and ruts.
• Avoid wide cracks in the pavement - Narrow bicycle tires can easily get caught in wide cracks. Be especially careful on roadways paved with concrete. Center cracks on concrete roads are dangerous.
• Look out for railroad tracks and cross them at right angles - There are fewer tracks these days, but there are still rough tracks and some at bad angles. Raise yourself off your seat and stand on your pedals to absorb the shock and lower the center of gravity. Unclip from your pedals as you prepare to cross railroad tracks. Watch out for other riders and let those behind know of your intentions. Angled tracks and low shoulders are major causes of accidents.

9. Your condition

Get yourself in good physical shape - Bike Florida is a ride totaling about 375 miles over seven days. The longest day is about 75 miles. You should be in good shape and capable of riding those distances before you come on the ride. A good way to get ready is to join a local bicycling club. A sports health clinic can also provide you with suggestions for a good conditioning program.

Eat and drink frequently - Rather than loading up once in the middle of the day, stop frequently for fluids and food. Carry water with you.

10. Take the Bike Florida Safety Pledge!!!

Following is the Bike Florida Safety Pledge; read it out loud, read it to yourself, read it to your minor, or even read it in a group. It is very important that all riders adhere to these rules in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

• I will ride single file when a car or truck is behind me.
• I will never ride more than two abreast.
• I will not be a road hog.
• I will yield to riders trying to pass me.
• I will call out “Car Back” or “Car Up” to riders in front of me.
• I will call out my intentions to riders immediately behind me: “Slowing,” “Stopping,” “Turning.” I will use traffic hand signals when appropriate.
• I will point to road hazards and/or call out to riders behind me: “Gravel”, “Hole”, “Tracks”, etc.
• I will call out to riders I am about to pass: “On Your Left,” or “Good Morning.”
• I will wear my helmet at all times while on my bike, even in camp.
• I will obey all traffic signs and signals.
• I will always ride defensively. I will always be aware of other riders, vehicles and pedestrians near me. I will never assume I know what they are going to do.
• I will use common sense and courtesy toward motorists and other cyclists while I am on my bike.
• I will provide immediate adult supervision to my bicycling children under age 16.
• I will not ride before daylight
  

Click here to print out a copy of this pledge.

11. Cyclists' Rights and Responsibilities

The Florida Bicycle Association has put together a great resource page about Cyclists' Rights and Responsibilities in general and specific to Florida. Click on the FBA logo below to visit this page:

12. Seidler Productions

Seidler Productions is a full service media production group. Their programs focus on issues related to health, quality of life, mobility, eco-tourism and sustainable communities. Click on the logo below for more information and to see featured videos related to safe cycling.