Researcher: Jessica McAfee Writer: Kaitlyn Peterson Producer: Sarah McMullan

2. Bicyclists on the Road
In Florida the bicycle is legally defined as a
vehicle and the bicyclist is a driver.
Bicyclists have to obey the same traffic laws as
the drivers of other vehicles.
Bicyclists are required to stop at signs and red
lights, follow the flow of traffic, use lights at
night and stop for pedestrians

3. Some Rules and Recent
Law Changes
As of 2012, bicycle lights are able to flash and bike
riders are required to have at least one light
A bicyclist must use a fixed, regular seat.
A bicycle can not carry more people than it was
designed for.
Every bicycle must have brakes and these brakes
have to allow the rider to stop within 25 feet from a
speed of 10 miles per hour.

4. Helmet Laws
Most kids only wear helmets, because their parent’s tell
them they have too.
Now, all cyclists under 16 must wear helmets.
Parents are happy, because more kids will have to wear
them, which leads to less teasing.
Kids caught riding bikes without helmets will be given a
$17 fine.
The fine for a first offense can be waived by buying a bike
helmet.

5. Statistics
Wearing a bike helmet reduces the chance of head injury
by 85 percent.
26 cyclists in Florida under the age of 16 were killed in
collisions with cars.
2,393 were injured - most of them head injuries.
Surveys of cyclists show that those most likely to wear
helmets are adults.
Those most likely to get injured or killed on a bike are
people ages 10-15.

6. To Wear or Not To Wear?
Kids don't wear helmets in fear of looking dorky
or stupid.
Some schools reward students that wear
helmets with candy, toys, and free fast food
coupons.
Helmet wearing has gone up due too: Pressure
from parents, TV influence, and more colorful
designs.

7. Cost
Prices at bike stores and specialty shops
generally range from about $20 to $40.
Helmets at discount stores typically go for $15 to
$25.
The Central Florida Chapter of the National
Safety Council sells bike helmets at all its
branches for about $10.

8. Accidents
In 70 percent of police-reported bicycle-motor
vehicle crashes, the cyclists involved had
violated traffic rules.
A national study showed that these violations
were identified as common contributing factors
in bicycle-motor vehicle crashes.

9. Cyclist’s Injured
Riding against traffic on roadway............. 15%
Failure to yield, entering roadway midblock . . . . 12%
Failure to yield at stop or yield sign........... 10%
Cycling at night without lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15%
Failure to yield, signalized or uncontrolled
intersection.............................. 7%

10. Florida Bicycle Helmet
Statute
1. Any person propelling a human powered
device has to wear a helmet.
2. Must be on the bikes seat.

11. 3a. Bikes are for one person.
b. Children under 40lbs. can be carried in a child
carrier attached to the bike.
c. Rider must be in control of the bike to pull a
child in the carrier.
d. Rider under 16 must wear a helmet.
e. Punishment: Verbal warning, citations, or
fines.

12. 4. Bikes can not be attached to vehicles.

13. 5a. Ride on the right hand curb.
1. Go in the same direction as traffic.
2. When making left hand turns.
3. Stay in bike lanes.
b. On a one way highway stay on the left side

14. Why Everyone Should
Wear a Helmet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmUwEOt489
g

15. Works Cited
"Bicycle Traffic Law." Florida Bicycle
Association. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
<http://floridabicycle.org/bicycle-traffic-law/>.
Florida Bicycle Association. "Florida Bicycle Law
Enforcement Law." Fortlaurdale.gov. Web. 14
Nov. 2013.
<http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/pedsafety/bicycl
e_guide.pdf>.

16. Works Cited Cont.
"Florida Bicycle Helmet Statute." Florida Bicycle
Helmet Law. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
<http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/helmet/helm_fl.
htm>.
Septer, Jonathan. "Florida's Bicycle Helmet Law
| eHow." eHow. Demand Media, 5 May 2010.
Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.ehow.com/about_6464541_florida_s
-bicycle-helmet-law.html>.

17. Works Cited Cont.
Wessel, Harry. "A Guide To Florida's New Bikehelmet Law." Orlando Sentinel., 31 Dec. 1996.
Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
<http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-1231/lifestyle/9612271450_1_bike-helmet-wearhelmets-wearing-a-bike>.