Roadway position
(Section 316.2065(5) and (6), F.S.)
 Any 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 shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway, except under any of the following situations:
- when passing another bicycle or [other] 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 hazardous condition, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard-width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. 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 bicyclist operating on a one-way highway with two or more traffic lanes may ride as close to the left hand edge of the roadway as practicable.
Comment: A white edge line is often marked to indicate the right edge of a roadway. On a roadway with curbs, the gutter area is not considered part of the roadway. A cyclist should avoid the gutter area; pavement joints or debris may be hazardous. On a road with flush paved shoulders, the right-hand edge of the roadway is the white line between the roadway and the shoulder. Since the roadway is "that portion of a highway...used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder" (Section 316.003(42), F.S.), a bicycle driver is not required to ride on a paved shoulder, although he may prefer to do so.
Since the roadway is "that portion of a highway... used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder" (Section 316.003(42), F.S.), a bicycle driver is not required to ride on a paved shoulder, although he may prefer to do so. A cyclist who rides on a paved shoulder should still travel on the right (not ride against traffic), because this reduces crash risk at intersections and driveways, also because this is generally the only practical way to comply with the requirement for a bicycle driver to obey all applicable traffic control devices; traffic signs and signals are installed so as to face traffic traveling on the right.
The mean swept width (dynamic envelope) of cyclists is 1.0 meter (3.3 feet) and some cyclists sweep widths as great as 1.2 m (4 ft). A cyclist generally tracks at least 1.5 to 2.0 feet from a pavement edge to keep away from edge hazards (so as to be able to give most of his attention to scanning the road corridor for conditions and course changes that might require action in the next 10-15 seconds). Thus, cyclists who ride on shoulder pavement narrower than 3-4 feet effectively use some portion of the adjacent lane.
A cyclist who intends to go straight through an intersection should avoid a lane signed or marked exclusively for right turns, in accordance with the requirement for drivers to obey all traffic control devices (see above).
A cyclist passing a parallel-parked automobile should maintain at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) of clearance to avoid risk of collision if a car door on the driver side is opened.
A bicycle lane is an extra lane on the roadway designated (with bicycle symbol markings) for the use of bicycles. A cyclist may leave a bicycle lane in any of the exceptional situations listed above. Most bicycle lanes are designed for through travel; to make a right turn where a right turn lane is provided, a cyclist should use the right turn lane. Where a bicycle lane is continued along the right side on an intersection approach, a cyclist who intends to go straight through the intersection may adjust his position to the left to avoid the hazard of being cut off by a right-turning motorist (9 percent of bicycle-motor vehicle crashes that are due to motorist fault involve motorists who overtake and pass cyclists near corners, then make right turns in front of them). A left turn should not be made from a through bicycle lane. See "Method of turning at intersections" for detailed description of left- and right-turn requirements.
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.
Roadway position for mopeds (same rules)
(Section 316.208(2)(a), F.S.)
Any person operating a moped upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway, except under any of the following situations:
- when passing another 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 hazardous condition, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard-width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For the purposes of this subsection, a "substandard-width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a moped and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
A person operating a moped on a one-way highway with two or more traffic lanes may ride as close to the left hand edge of the roadway as practicable.
Comment: Since roadway positioning rules for mopeds are the same as those for bicycles, and Florida traffic laws do not provide an exception where bicycle lanes are present, moped operators traveling more slowly than other motor traffic on a street typically ride in bicycle lanes, where provided. However, per definition of "moped" (s. 316.003(77), F.S.), the motor of a moped cannot propel it faster than 30 mph on level ground.
Regulations for electric personal assistive mobility devices
(Section 316.003(83) and 316.2068, F.S.)
An electric personal assistive personal mobility device is any self-balancing, two-nontandem-wheeled device, designed to transport only one person, with an electric propulsion system with average power of 750 watts (1 horsepower), the maximum speed of which, on a paved level surface when powered solely by such a propulsion system while being ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour.
An electric personal assistive mobility device may be operated on a marked bicycle path, on any street or road where bicycles are permitted, and on a sidewalk, if the person operating the device yields the right-of-way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices on any road, street or bicycle path under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such a prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices on any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that such operation is necessary in the interest of safety.
Comment: At this time, the only electric personal assistive mobility device is the Segway® Human Transporter. Since bicycles are permitted on almost all streets, so are EPAMDs, except on those where operation has been prohibited by managing jurisdictions. Guidance for use of bicycle lanes is provided above.
When overtaking on the right is permitted
(Section 316.084, F.S.)
Overtaking on the right is permitted upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles, of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving traffic in each direction. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety.
Comment: A cyclist traveling in a bicycle lane, or in a lane wide enough for motor vehicles and bicycles to travel side by side within the lane, may pass motorists on the right, because there is sufficient width in this case for two lines of traffic - motor vehicles and bicycles. However, the cyclist should proceed with care. Cars or trucks may turn right at driveways, or at the next intersection, or a car door may open; drivers may not have noticed the cyclist.
Method of turning at intersections
(Section 316.151(1)(b)(c), F.S.)
Right turn: see "Method of turning right at intersections" in "Other laws for all drivers"
Left turn: A bicyclist intending to make a left turn is entitled to full use of the lane from which a driver may legally make a left turn.
 Instead of making a left turn as a motorist does, a cyclist may proceed through the right-most portion of the intersection and turn as close to the curb or edge as practicable at the far side. Before proceeding in the new direction of travel, the bicyclist must comply with any official traffic control device.
Comment: When using the second method to make a left turn, a cyclist should never swerve left from the far right corner. There are risks of conflict from several directions. The cyclist should stop at the far corner and walk to a point where traffic can be reentered safely.
Signaling a turn or stop
(Sections 316.155(2), (3) and 316.157(1), F.S.)
A signal of intention to turn must be given during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning. If a bicyclist needs both hands for control, the signal need not be given continuously. A cyclist signals intent to
turn left - by extending the left arm horizontally;
turn right - by extending the right arm horizontally (or by extending the left hand and arm upward);
stop or suddenly reduce speed - by extending the left hand and arm downward.
Operation on limited access highways
(Section 316.091(2) and (4), F.S.)
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: At this time, the only exception provided is for the Jacksonville Expressway System (Section 349.04(1), F.S.). A limited access facility is "a street or highway especially designed for through traffic and over, from, or to which owners or occupants of abutting land or other persons have no right or easement, or only a limited right or easement, of access" (Section 316.003(19), F.S.). Highways identified with state highway route signs that include the word TOLL are limited access facilities. Other roads where bicycle use is prohibited should be identified by BICYCLES PROHIBITED signs posted at their entrances.
Wearing of headsets
(Section 316.304(1), F.S.)
No person shall operate a bicycle while wearing a headset, headphone or other listening device, other than a hearing aid or instrument for the improvement of defective human hearing.
Comment: Use of such devices can be distracting. However, a cyclist should not rely on hearing when changing lane position, crossing intersections, etc. Sounds of an approaching vehicle may be masked by other traffic or, in some cases (bicycle, hybrid-electric car) too soft to be heard.
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