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The big problem I encounter almost daily are riders who want the right to the road but don't want to obey the rules of the road. I have yet to see A bicyclist riding on 30a stop at a stop sign. I would love to see an ordinance that prohibited unmotorized vehicles on the roadway like it prohibits motorized vehicles on the bike path.

With no shoulder, hills and curves, many drivers unfamiliar with the road the spandex cad bikers on 30a are a danger to themselves and others.

And or course all the people in cars stop at the stop signs..... Don't exceed the speed limit..... Don't pass in the no passing zones.... Don't text while driving..... Don't run red lights......
 

Zebraspots

Beach Fanatic
May 15, 2008
840
247
Santa Rosa Beach
Most serious bikers use the paths whenever they can, but in many places along 30A it is not safe to do so due to other users on the path, the number of driveways/streets, and other conditions.

In Seaside and Watercolor, you can barely walk on the path, let alone ride a bike at a decent pace or avoid vehicles oblivious to pedestrians and bikers.

I would love to see a separate bike path running parallel to 98 and all the major north/south roads, I think that would be a great safety improvement for both tourists and locals.
 

lenzoe

Beach Fanatic
The people that are getting irate about cyclists on 30A really need to chill out.

You've got a 4000 pound car up against a 200 pound cyclist. That's no contest. If you continue to feed that anger, it just creates problems and encourages the idiots that think in the back of their mind that they really might be justified in side-swiping or bumping cyclists. Bad karma dude.

Just relax. Ask yourself what does it really matter if you're slowed down by a couple of minutes? So what? You'll live longer and so will they.
 

TreeFrog

Beach Fanatic
Oct 11, 2005
1,793
214
Seagrove
This is an annual thread, same stuff every year.

Type A drivers from the big city in too big a hurry on their beach vacation to leave a little room for a cyclist on a road that only allows 35 MPH anyway. Type A cyclists from the big city pedalling 3 wide on 30A, defying the cars to pass them. Exhale, folks, it's the beach. You're on vacation.
 

pennstater

Beach Comber
Jul 10, 2005
43
10
NJ/Inlet Beach
I posted this a few years ago. Maybe it's time for a refresher:

State law clearly places the responsibility with the driver of a motor vehicle to avoid colliding with a human powered vehicle:

Your Legal Responsibilities as a Motor Vehicle Driver
Driver Responsibility to Exercise Care
(Section 316.130, F.S.)

Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person propelling a human-powered vehicle and give warning when necessary and exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused or incapacitated person.

Overtaking and Passing a Vehicle
(Sections 316.083, 316.085, F.S.)

The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. A driver overtaking a bicycle must maintain a horizontal clearance of at least 3 feet [�316.083]. Three feet is a minimum "safe distance" for passing a cyclist under typical urban conditions; when the passing vehicle is large, towing a trailer, or traveling at much higher speed, greater lateral clearance is needed.

To pass a cyclist with safe clearance, it may be necessary for a motorist to enter (at least partially) the next lane, when and where it is safe to do so.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit passing to be made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. In every event an overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle [�316.085].

The Double Yellow Line: The prohibition of passing in a no-passing zone does not apply when an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway [�316.0875(3)]. Thus, when a cyclist is traveling so slowly as to constitute an "obstruction," a motorist may cross the center line in a no-passing zone to pass the cyclist if the way is clear to do so, i.e., when it can be seen that any oncoming traffic is far enough ahead that the motorist could finish passing before coming within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

About 1 percent of bicycle-motor vehicle crashes involve motorists who misjudge the width or length necessary to pass a cyclist. Close passing causes some cyclists to "hug the curb," or ride on the sidewalk, where crash risk actually increases.

Driving Speeds
(Sections 316.183, 316.185, F.S.)

No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, or vehicle on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

The driver of every vehicle shall drive at an appropriately reduced speed when approaching and going around a curve; approaching a hill crest; traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway; and when any special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.

The fact that a driver is traveling at less than the speed limit does not relieve him of the duty to reduce speed in such conditions. A driver must reduce speed as necessary to avoid colliding with any person legally present on the street.

Opening and Closing Vehicle Doors
(Section 316.2005, F.S.)

No person shall open any
door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
 
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