Safety Tips

PEDESTRIANS

It’s wonderful to be outside in Florida, and when you are on the street or sidewalk remember that you have to obey the same “rules of the road” as motorists and bicyclists.

BE VISIBLE. Carry a light, wear blinking lights, and wear light colored clothes at night,  walk in well-lit areas, and make sure motorists/bicyclists see you before you enter the roadway. Stay off electronic devices, especially when crossing.

Obey traffic signals and signs. Follow the traffic laws.

Only cross at crosswalks or intersections. Don’t jaywalk.

Do not assume vehicles will give you the right of way.

Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. When sidewalks are not available and you must use the road, walk against traffic.

If you are walking in a bike lane, walk against traffic. If a cyclist is approaching, move to the grass or side of the road and allow them to pass. Never force a cyclist into traffic by blocking the bike lane.

Tips for Being Visible When You Bike, Walk, or Run

We all know we should stay aware of the traffic laws where we are riding, walking, or running, and always stay alert. The most important tip for your safety is to make sure you are visible. Visibility is key to avoiding a collision. You should do everything you can to stay visible and stand out in traffic. Here are a few tips for increasing your visibility while riding your bicycle:

• Wear fluorescent colors. Choose a neon yellow, bright orange, lime green, or hot pink shirt, jersey, jacket, or vest. Wear brightly colored clothing and gear, so you will stand out and won’t blend in with the landscape. If you choose white, brown, blue, green, or black, you are much more likely to blend in and not be noticed.

• Carry a flashlight, wear a blinking light, or be sure your bike has a functioning headlight and taillight, and both are visible for several hundred feet. (Bike lights are required by law from dusk to dawn.) Use your front and rear lights in blinking mode during the day to increase visibility, and only your taillight should be blinking at night with the headlight a constant beam. Make sure your bike has plenty of reflectors too - on the fenders, spokes, pedals, and body.

• Ride in a prominent spot in the lane. Don’t ride next to the curb. That sets you up for a sideswipe by a car that gets too close. When you ride closer to the center of the lane, cars will need to change lanes to pass as they would any other vehicle, and that is additional protection for you.

• Walk/run facing traffic. When crossing, be sure drivers at intersections see you and try to making eye contact with them. Without eye contact, assume they do not see you.

• If you are walking or running in a bike lane and cyclists are approaching, move into the grass or side of the road to let them pass. Never force a cyclist into traffic by blocking the bike lane. This is very dangerous for everyone involved.

• Adhere to traffic laws. Bicycles on the road are considered vehicles and must stop at stop signs and red lights. Be sure drivers at intersections by making eye contact with them, especially if you plan to ride across the intersection in front of them. Without eye contact, assume they do not see you.

• When you are changing lanes, merging, or turning on your bike, always signal your intentions. Use your left hand to point when going left and use your right hand to point when you are going right. Ride predictably so drivers will understand where you want to go. When you cut in and out of traffic, move lanes quickly, or ride between cars, you are setting yourself up for a crash.

• Don’t get too close to parked cars. When passing by parked cars, listen for locks opening, watch for doors opening, and watch for traffic. You could get “doored” by someone entering or exiting a vehicle who doesn’t see you.

• Don’t stop on the right side of vehicles because you will be in the blind spot. Even if you are riding in a bike lane, don’t pull up in that lane to the right of a car at an intersection. Always stop behind the vehicle. Otherwise, you could be run over by a vehicle that turns as they may not see you.

• Always assume that drivers don’t see you. To make sure you are as safe as possible, always ride with the assumption that drivers don’t notice you. Stay alert and be prepared to ride defensively.

• One last important reminder: never ride with earbuds or headphones. It is illegal, but it is also very unsafe. It is always smarter to avoid using e can hear traffic and people around you.

• The only one looking out for you is you. You need all of your senses to do that effectively.