Bicycle Traffic Law

Overview of Florida Laws for People on Bicycles

The Florida Bicycle Association often receives questions about traffic laws that affect people bicycling. Many of the most frequently-asked-questions are answered in the sections below.

Download the Pocket Guide for Informed Bicycling

The free pocket guide that Florida Bicycle jointly published with several partners aims to raise awareness of the rights of people bicycling and help make everyone safer. You can download the guide for free here.

The sections of Florida law that most directly govern people bicycling are in Florida Statutes Title 9, Chapter 316 (F.S. 316), sections 2065, 151, 155, 157 and more. When you research Florida laws, be sure you look for the most recent laws. As of the this post, current laws reference those from 2023 (including Special Session C.)

Beyond what is covered in the Pocket Guide for Informed Bicycling, the following questions often arise.

Is a person bicycling treated under law the same as a person driving a motor vehicle?

If on a roadway, basically yes. In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle and the person riding the bike is a driver. People on bikes have the same rights to the roadways, and must obey the same traffic laws, as people operating other vehicles. These laws include stopping for stop signs and red lights, riding with the flow of traffic, using lights at night, yielding the right-of-way when entering a roadway, and yielding to people in crosswalks.

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Recent Law Changes:

A key 2012 amendment in the regulations allows bicycle lights to flash. Obtaining and maintaining pricey bicycle lights that required frequent recharging or replacement of batteries was once a nontrivial challenge for evening riders, providing a perennial theme of discussion and review in cycling magazines and online forums. Now, with compact, relatively moderately priced LED lights that can run for many hours on a charge (especially on flash or low-power settings), cyclists who ride with lights at night (as legally required) are cooking with gas, so to speak.

FBA offers an authoritative source on Florida Bicycle Laws at FLBikeLaw.org

As of 2012, Bicyclists are no longer required to keep at least one hand on the handlebars.

As of 2011, the lane position and bike lane law include an exception for avoiding a potentially unsafe condition. This is significant in that it allows bicyclists to anticipate dynamic conditions which have the potential to make a bike lane or far right lane position unsafe.

New (2019) editions of the Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide and Florida Bicycling Street Smarts (see FBA publications) reflect changes in traffic laws made by the 2019 Florida Legislature, incorporate updated crash statistics, and clarify key guidance.

The tabs to the left contain highlights and explanations of key sections of Florida law pertaining to bicycles. For the official version you can dig through the code here.

TRAFFIC LAW HIGHLIGHTS

Bicycle Regulations (see Section 316.2065, F.S.)

A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls and signals.
A bicyclist must use a fixed, regular seat for riding.
Every bicycle must be equipped with a brake or brakes which allow the rider to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.
No bicycle may be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.
Parents and guardians must not knowingly allow a child or minor ward to violate any provisions of this section.

Sidewalk Riding (see Section 316.2065, F.S.)

When riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
A bicyclist riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and must give an audible signal before passing.
Check for local ordinances that may restrict bikes from riding on the sidewalk. Clues that this may be the case include sidewalk cafes and areas with a lot of foot traffic.

Lighting (see Section 316.2065, F.S.)

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.
Cyclists may use flashing white front and/or rear red lights.
Additional lighting is permitted and recommended.
Blue lights are not permitted on any vehicle other than law enforcement vehicles.

Roadway Position (see Section 316.2065, F.S.)

A bicyclist who is not traveling at the same speed of other traffic must ride in a designated bike lane or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
What does “practicable” mean? It means “capable of being put into practice or of being done or accomplished.” There will be many times when it is not practicable to ride on the far right of the right lane due to the presence of hazards.
A bicyclist may leave the right-most portion of the road in the following situations:
- When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or turn lane
- When a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side
- When passing another vehicle moving in the same direction
- When preparing for a left turn
A bicyclist operating on a one-way street with two or more traffic lanes may ride as close to the left-hand edge of the roadway as practicable. Essentially, on a one-way street with multiple lanes, you can ride where you need to.
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway or a bike lane may not ride more than two abreast except on a bicycle path.
Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic and must ride within a single lane.
To avoid hazards in the roadway or to pass another cyclist, cyclists may temporarily ride side by side.
If a bike lane is wide enough to allow it, cyclists can ride side by side. This is a rare situation and typically you need to ride single file in a bike lane.

Left Turns (see Section 316.151 (1)(b)(c), F.S.)

A bicyclist intending to make a vehicle left turn is entitled to full use of the lane from which the turn is made. This means if there is a left turn lane and you need to make a left turn, you can (and should) use the left lane.
After scanning, signaling, and moving to the center of that lane, the bicyclist must check the signal, then proceed when it is green and safe to do so.
In addition to the normal vehicle left turn, a bicyclist may proceed through the intersection, then adjust direction to proceed in the new direction. This means persons riding a bike can move to the sidewalk to change directions once clear and safe to do so.

Signaling Turns (see Sub-section 316.155(2) and 316.157(2), F.S.)

Cyclists must signal that they intend to make a turn within 100 feet of the turn.
If you need both hands on your bike for control, you do not have to continually signal.
To signal a left turn, extend the left hand and arm horizontally to the left.
You have two options for signaling a right turn: extending the left hand and arm upward or by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right.

Headsets (see Section 316.304, F.S.)

A bicyclist cannot wear a headset, headphones, or other listening device (other than a hearing aid) when riding.
F.S. 322.12(5)(d) does allow cyclists to have one earbud in, so long as sounds can be heard through the other ear.
If you ride with your hearing obstructed in any way, you risk not being able to hear vital information to keep you and others safe.

Civil Penalties (see Sub-section 318.18(1),(2),&(3), F.S.)

Non-moving violations, such as failure to use required lighting equipment when riding at night, failure to have working brakes
Moving violations, such as running stop sign or signal, riding against traffic
Violations of Chapter 316, F.S. by a bicyclist 14 years of age or younger

Local Ordinances

The local governments of counties, cities, towns, and other municipalities can adopt ordinances regulating bicycle riding and e-bikes. Some towns may also have registration and licensing ordinances. Sidewalk riding may be prohibited entirely or only in certain areas such as business districts. Local law enforcement agencies are the best resource for local ordinances.

Operation on Limited Access Highways (see Section 316.091, F.S.)

[FBA continues to work with FDOT to modify this section to provide access to bridges and other roads where there are no surface street options to access destinations]

No person shall operate a bicycle on a limited access facility, except as otherwise provided. No person shall operate a bicycle on an interstate highway.

Comment: During the 2012 Florida legislative session, Legislators established a pilot program in Florida Statute 316.091, to study the feasibility of allowing bicyclists to travel on limited access bridges. The law required that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) establish a two year pilot program, in three separate urban areas, allowing bicycle access on highway approaches and bridge segments of limited access highways crossing bodies of water. Prior to this legislation, bicycles were prohibited from operating on limited access roadways or bridge sections. 2015 Final Report.

Electric Bicycles (see Section 316.20655, F.S.)

In Florida, there are three classes of e-bikes:
- Class 1 electric bicycles have a top speed of 20 miles per hour, and the electric motor works only when the rider is pedaling.
- Class 2 electric bicycles have a top speed of 20 miles per hour, but they have throttles and do not require the rider to pedal.
- Class 3 electric bicycles have a top speed of 28 miles per hour, and the electric motor works only when the rider is pedaling.
Your e-bike must have a permanent label indicating what its class is.
You do not have to have a license, vehicle registration, or insurance to drive an e-bike, as defined above.
If the e-bike is modified to go faster than intended, you must update the label indicating what class of e-bike the modified e-bike falls under.
Local governments and state agencies can set rules restricting where you can ride your e-bike. Check local ordinances before heading out.

For more information or to ask questions about Florida Bicycle Laws, visit flbikelaw.org.

Let’s Talk About the Word “Practicable”

Florida State Law says you must ride as far to the right as practicable. It does NOT say as far to the right as possible. Practicable means “capable of being done within the means and circumstances present.” This is extremely important! It takes into account static and dynamic, current and downstream conditions which influence the choice of lane and position within that lane.

The edge of the road harbors the majority of hazards bicyclists face. Defensive driving (avoiding crashes and conflicts) may require the bicyclist to operate significantly away from the edge of the road.

When a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to share safely, the cyclist is entitled to the use of the entire lane. Within this lane, the cyclist usually rides on the right half to facilitate visibility for overtaking motorists, but should ride far enough left to discourage motorists from trying to squeeze past within the lane.

Although the law uses the term “substandard” to describe a lane that is not wide enough to share, these narrow lane-widths make up most of our roads in Florida. The shareable-width lane, or wide curb lane, has become less common as multi-lane roads have become more prevalent.

Wide Curb Lanes (WCLs) Defined

A WCL is a lane wide enough for side-by-side operation. These are typically 14-16 ft wide. The Florida Department of Transportation’s Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards recommends an outside lane width of 14 feet as the “minimum width that will allow passenger cars to safely pass bicyclists within a single lane,” i.e., without the need for passing motorists to use part of the next lane.

Here’s how they get the minimum:

A cyclist is defined as being 2.5 ft wide with a minimum operating space of 4 ft. This includes the minimum safe distance from the edge of usable pavement (2 ft).
The legal minimum passing clearance for an overtaking vehicle is 3 ft.
A typical passenger vehicle is 5.5 ft (car) – 7 ft (SUV) wide.

NOTE: The minimum does not account for commercial trucks and utility trailers which are 8.5 ft wide and can have mirrors extending to ~10 ft. Those vehicles MUST use part of another lane to pass safely.

On-Street Parking — A cyclist riding past parallel-parked cars should maintain a clearance of at least 5 feet to avoid risk of collision with an opening car door. The cyclist must take into account door width, handlebar width and the “startle” clearance — a distance at which a suddenly-opened door will not cause a reactive swerve into adjacent overtaking traffic.

Intersection Positioning — A cyclist going straight through an intersection in a lane that serves thru traffic and right turns, should ride in the center or left half of the lane to avoid common collisions. Cyclists should never ride straight in a lane marked exclusively for right turns, i.e., one marked or signed with the word “ONLY.”

One-Way Streets — A bicyclist operating on a one-way street with two or more traffic lanes may operate in the left lane.

Paved Shoulders — Where a curb is not present, the right-hand edge of a roadway is the line between the roadway and the shoulder (an exception is when that space to the right of the line is designated as a bike lane). Since the definition of “roadway” excludes the shoulder [§316.003], cyclists are not required to ride on paved shoulders, although they may prefer to do so. A cyclist may ride only along a right-side paved shoulder, i.e., must ride in the direction of traffic, since this is the only practical way to comply with the requirement to obey all applicable traffic signals and signs [§316.074]. A cyclist operating in the shoulder is vulnerable to common crossing collisions where many streets and driveways are present.

Bike Lane Law Explained

Section 316.2065(5)(a) A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing must ride in the bicycle lane or, if there is no bicycle lane on the roadway, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, turn lane, or substandard-width lane, which makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge or within a bicycle lane. For the purposes of this subsection, a “substandard-width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

A bicycle lane is a lane marked with a stripe and symbols for the preferential use of bicycles on a roadway (motorists may enter or cross a bicycle lane to turn into or off a roadway at intersections and driveways). The official symbol marking used in Florida to designate a bicycle lane is shown in the figure [right] (FDOT Design Standards Index 17347 and Florida Greenbook).

Where no bicycle lane is marked, a white edge line is often marked to indicate the edge of the roadway. On a road with curbs, the gutter is not part of the roadway. A cyclist should avoid the gutter area; pavement joints or debris may be hazardous. On a road with flush shoulders, any pavement beyond the edge line is a paved shoulder; it is not a bicycle lane unless it is marked with the bicycle lane marking.

A cyclist may leave a bicycle lane for any of the purposes listed in the law — essentially to avoid any unsafe condition or potential hazard. To better understand how to operate safely in bike lanes, see our I nfo for Bi cyclists page. Bicycle lanes are typically designed for through travel. To make a right turn where a right turn lane is provided to the right of a bicycle lane, a cyclist should leave the bicycle lane, since continuing in the bike lane to the intersection and making a sharp right turn could surprise a motorist in the right turn lane.

Similarly, a cyclist planning to make a left turn should leave the bike lane in advance of the intersection, rather than make a sharp left turn at the intersection that could surprise or cut off a motorist in a through lane.

Where a bicycle lane is continued along the right side of a through/right lane, a cyclist who intends to go straight may need to adjust their position to the left to reduce the hazard of being cut off by a turning motorist (in about 10 percent of bicycle-motor vehicle crashes, through cyclists were cut off by motorists who overtook the cyclists and made right turns in front of them, or who approached from the opposite direction and made left turns in front of the cyclists).

Where no bicycle lane is marked, a cyclist who intends to proceed straight through an intersection should not ride in a lane marked or signed exclusively for right turns, since all drivers are required to obey applicable traffic control devices.

Roads with flush shoulders: where no bicycle lane is marked, a white edge line is typically marked to indicate the edge of the roadway; any pavement to the right of the edge line is shoulder pavement, not a bicycle lane unless it is marked with the bicycle lane symbol.

Since the definition of “roadway” excludes shoulders, a cyclist is not required to ride on a paved shoulder that is not marked as a bicycle lane, although they may prefer to do so. A cyclist who rides on a paved shoulder should still travel on the right because (1) this reduces crash risk at intersections and driveways (drivers don’t expect traffic on shoulders to approach from the “wrong” direction) and (2) whenever the cyclist enters the roadway (e.g., to pass a pedestrian or other cyclist, cross an intersection, keep clear of a vehicle approaching to enter the roadway at a driveway, avoid debris or obstructions, etc.), right-side operation becomes mandatory.

Impeding Traffic Explained

Though some try to claim solo bicyclists or bicyclists riding single file are unlawfully impeding traffic, they are not. The impeding law only applies to motor vehicles. It does not apply to vehicles driven by human or animal power.

316.183 (5) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

Nonetheless, cyclists should pull over — at their discretion and only when it is safe to do so — if a significant line of traffic accumulates behind them.

The only place “impeding traffic” appears in the bicycle law, is with regard to riding 2 abreast.

316.2065 (6) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall ride within a single lane.

The 2-abreast rule only applies to roads on which a single rider can operate side-by-side with a motor vehicle (i.e. a lane 14 ft or wider, or a road with a bike lane). A single cyclist (or single line of cyclists) is entitled to the full use of a lane less than 14 ft wide, therefore it makes no difference in the flow of traffic for riders to be 2-abreast. In many cases it actually facilitates overtaking by reducing in half the distance needed to pass. For more about this, visit the Group Riding page.

Additionally, 2-abreast riders do not impede traffic if: (the below applies to any width lane with or without the presence of a bike lane)

On this road, there is plenty of width for a motorist to safely pass a cyclist, or group riding single file. If the group rode double, there would not be enough space for the motorist to give adequate clearance. Riding double would impede traffic.

on a multi-lane road – motorists can pass in the next lane over
on a road with a center two-way left turn lane in which motorists can pass
there is sparse oncoming traffic and motorists can safely use the oncoming lane to pass
the cyclists are traveling at or near the speed limit
the cyclists are traveling at or near the speed of other traffic

“Impeding traffic” is not defined in the law, but reducing a motorist’s speed for a few seconds until it is safe to pass does not constitute an impediment or an obstruction.

The Pocket Guide for Informed Bicycling was jointly published by Florida Bicycle Association, the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization and Bike/Walk Central Florida, with funding support from New Belgium Brewing.

This is not a bike lane because it does not have signs or pavement markings. It is only 3ft wide, so it does not meet the minimum width requirement.

This is not a bike lane because it does not have signs or pavement markings. It is only 29 inches wide. The total width of this space plus the adjacent lane is less than 14ft.

This lane is too narrow for motorists to safely pass a cyclist. Due to the median, motorists cannot pass. It makes no difference whether cyclists are single or double.