Bikers - use the BIKE path!

**Smiling JOe** · 06-12-2007, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by native

It is now against the law for bikers to be on the road. Actuall ythe law is if a bike is on the road, inside the lane you must treat it as though it were another motorized vehicle. You would pass a bike just as you would pass a car. If you are trying to pass the bike AND stay partially in the lane YOU are actually breaking the law. Have A NICE day!!!!

Your first sentence doesn't jibe with the remainder of your paragraph. I believe everything, except the first sentence, is correct.

**Mermaid** · 06-13-2007, 04:21 PM

Florida bike laws:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/Safety/pe..._bikeLaws1.htm

Unless I've missed something, there's no law against using the shoulder of the road even when a bike path is available.

**seacrestkristi** · 06-14-2007, 08:51 AM

native

**Smiling JOe** · 06-22-2007, 01:34 PM

This morning, a local riding his bicycle ON THE MULTI-USE PATH, reportedly flipped over his handlebars as a Walton County Sheriff's Deputy decided to make a U-Turn on the Pathway in front of the biker. Luckily for the Deputy who bowed up at the biker, the rider was not seriously injured, though he looked fairly roughed-up, covered in grease, dirt and sweat.

Just adds to my reasoning for not riding the path. The Deputy would have probably been more able to see the biker had he been on the road.

I do have to add, WTF was that Deputy doing a speeding-U-turn in a low speed stretch of 30A, just west of Western Lake? That is messed up, and for the Deputy to bow up at the rider when the rider asked him what was he thinking, shows some serious disrespect for the public. If it were me whom he made crash, I would be reporting his @ss to the newspapers & the Sheriff, and be going after his job.

**GoodWitch58** · 06-22-2007, 03:22 PM

Sorry to hear about this and glad the biker is okay.

From what I've seen and experienced, we have a serious problem with "disrespect for the public" by the sheriff's staff (Sheriff Johnson if you are reading, send them to some classes in how to deal with the public--most of whom aren't criminals!).

It amazes me that our Fire Department folks are superb and the sheriff's employees all have an attitude! What gives?

**native** · 06-22-2007, 03:29 PM

When a biker rides in the road they are supposed to follow the rules of the road for a motor vehicle. It is not illegal for a bike to ride teh pavement. We all just need to pay a liittle more attention and slow down ou rlives a bit. Isnt that why we live here??? We are all so lucky to live in such a beautiful place!!

**native** · 06-22-2007, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Your first sentence doesn't jibe with the remainder of your paragraph. I believe everything, except the first sentence, is correct.

Sorry SJ it was a typo. now was meant to be not. OOOPPPS

**Atlanta Bo** · 07-01-2007, 12:47 PM

I watched 2 bikers make a total scene and verbally assault( with good swear words and all ) a driver in front of the Villages of South Walton this morning ( as I rode on the bike path ) .They were very upset that somebody took a little too long to make a right turn . It seems to me that the other cars waited patiently . So much for following the rules the rules of the road .
Even though it is legal for bikes to be on the road , it is nuisance and is dangerous . It is like it used to be with dealing with smokers in bars , restaurants, and public places . Most didn't like it but it was legal and there was nothing you could do about it . Fortunately , They changed that law .

JB

**TreeFrog** · 07-01-2007, 06:41 PM

As a life-long cyclist, I've lurked this thread and kept my mouth shut. Too many heated opinions and no resolution in sight...

A small point on definitions, though.

Someone who rides a bicycle is a cyclist.

Someone who rides a Harley with no mufflers is a biker.

Atlanta Bo's post about two bikers assaulting a motorist brought up mental images of a coupla fat guys with beards beating up someone, until I read the detail.

**DDGB** · 07-01-2007, 07:03 PM

I'm confused. Because of Florida law, bicycle riders have a right to travel on all roadways, except on interstates. Motorized vehicle drivers must be very careful not to insult, intimidate, or hurt the feelings of these bikers.(Yes, I understand that a motorized vehicle must stay three feet away.) The bikers have the right to hold up the motorized traffic because their lobby in Tallahassee has given them unrealistic rights to our roadways. Although the legislature has given them bike paths, many prefer to travel on two-lane roads with motorized traffic.....Also, they do not have to buy tags for these bicycles, although we do have to buy tags for the motorized vehicles we drive.

For bikers to obstruct roadways that are overburdened with motorized vehicles, whose drivers already pay exorbitant gas taxes, shows hubris that disregards the bikers' responsibility to pay their fair share. There are bike paths prepared for them which do not infringe on the rights of motorized drivers. It is only their insistance on having their own way that puts them on 30A...

In addition, I don't want to see anyone harmed, either a biker physically or a driver emotionally. Please, there has to be a better way.

**kurt** · 07-01-2007, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Atlanta Bo

I watched 2 bikers make a total scene and verbally assault( with good swear words and all ) a driver in front of the Villages of South Walton this morning ( as I rode on the bike path ) .They were very upset that somebody took a little too long to make a right turn . It seems to me that the other cars waited patiently . So much for following the rules the rules of the road .
Even though it is legal for bikes to be on the road , it is nuisance and is dangerous . It is like it used to be with dealing with smokers in bars , restaurants, and public places . Most didn't like it but it was legal and there was nothing you could do about it . Fortunately , They changed that law .

JB

Bikers = smokers

**Smiling JOe** · 07-01-2007, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by TreeFrog

Someone who rides a bicycle is a cyclist.

Someone who rides a Harley with no mufflers is a biker.

So when I'm on my Honda, with mufflers, I'm a ...???

**Smiling JOe** · 07-01-2007, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by DDGB

Also, they do not have to buy tags for these bicycles, although we do have to buy tags for the motorized vehicles we drive.

For bikers to obstruct roadways that are overburdened with motorized vehicles, whose drivers already pay exorbitant gas taxes, shows hubris that disregards the bikers' responsibility to pay their fair share. There are bike paths prepared for them which do not infringe on the rights of motorized drivers. It is only their insistance on having their own way that puts them on 30A...

In addition, I don't want to see anyone harmed, either a biker physically or a driver emotionally. Please, there has to be a better way.

Not all motorized vehicles reqiure tags in the state of Florida.

Considering that a cyclist has extremely nominal impact on the asphalt, as opposed to a let's say Suburban, which seem to be a popular vehicle of choice around here, do you truly think that we cyclists don't pay our fair share. I drive a gas burning vehicle in addition to my bicycle, so I'm pretty certain that I pay my fair share of road taxes. Perhaps your thought may be more accurate if the cyclists didn't also own motorized vehicles, but I know of only one guy in SoWal who fits that bill. It is somewhat like the pedistrians around here. People driving motorized vehicles often forget that they also pedistrians on occasion, and that we all need to show some respect for other people's lives and safety. If you want safer roads, start with hanging up the telephone while driving.

**GraysonDave** · 07-02-2007, 07:13 AM

I'm also a life long cyclist. Been riding bicycles since I was 5 years old. And in my opinion, anybody who rides a bicycle on a road designed for and used by motorized vehicles is downright crazy. Not to mention annoying.

**TreeFrog** · 07-02-2007, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

So when I'm on my Honda, with mufflers, I'm a ...???

Non-obnoxious motorcyclist?

**Smiling JOe** · 07-02-2007, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by GraysonDave

I'm also a life long cyclist. Been riding bicycles since I was 5 years old. And in my opinion, anybody who rides a bicycle on a road designed for and used by motorized vehicles is downright crazy. Not to mention annoying.

Just call me crazy, ... and annoying.

**GraysonDave** · 07-02-2007, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Just call me crazy, ... and annoying.

Nothing personal.

**scooterbug44** · 07-02-2007, 01:53 PM

Once again it all comes down to people not respecting or being nice to each other.

I drive, I bike, I walk ...... and while doing all of those activities I am aware of and courteous to the other forms of transportation and I also am constantly running into others who are not! No matter whose side you are on (as people just have to take sides) there is someone participating in your activity whose behavior is ruining it for you!

Screaming and swearing at a stranger is ridonkulous! I'll feel pretty stupid for causing a scene like that........guess that's why I don't! Did I miss the memo that says it is now acceptable to curse out strangers for perceived slights?

**seacrestkristi** · 07-02-2007, 02:38 PM

Wonder what happened to the signs with the rules for the bike path.

I did not realize how smart it is to say a loud, passing on the left, when you're passing, until I read the sign years ago. Then I realized how important it is for safety. People don't hear you riding up right next to them. So please bikes say 'passing' when you're passing pedestrians that way people won't accidentally kill us both by stepping in front of you.

**Smiling JOe** · 07-02-2007, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by seacrestkristi

Wonder what happened to the signs with the rules for the bike path.

I did not realize how smart it is to say a loud, passing on the left, when you're passing, until I read the sign years ago. Then I realized how important it is for safety. People don't hear you riding up right next to them. So please bikes say 'passing' when you're passing pedestrians that way people won't accidentally kill us both by stepping in front of you.

...and with every other person wearing an MP3 player while walking on the path, note that many will never hear you giving your notice.

**jack S** · 07-02-2007, 02:56 PM

It is my policy to say hello to all that I pass, before I reach them! That way they don't jump 3 feet in the air as I pass. I also use an old school rubber bubble horn, not too loud or obnoxious! But, the current trend in earplugs with music can be dangerous! People are so disconnected when they wear them!
I could complain about the car driver that almost wacked me yesterday by executing a U turn into the bike path, but why raise my blood pressure.

**seacrestkristi** · 07-02-2007, 02:59 PM

MP3ers are at their own risk

... a bike horn could be kinda funn

OMG, a random thought

dang it wasn't random after all. I did not see jack s' post b4hand.
That really bites and then sometimes they just stop the vehicle and park on the path, special.Glad you weren't hit jack s.