Marc Yonker of Winters & Yonker Discusses Best Practices for Safe Driving While Sharing the Road With Florida Cyclists

It’s certainly not a surprise that South Florida residents adore the fact that the region’s year-round warmth and sunshine is so conducive to outdoor activities, which is part of the reason so many cyclists choose to live in the area and why so many residents ultimately take interest in a sport like cycling.

Floridians are often seen riding all kinds of bikes, whether it is the beach cruisers used for a brief jaunt to the ocean or the road bikes used to commute to and from work. With so many cyclists on the road throughout the entirety of the year, Florida drivers have to be mindful of their fellow bike-riding citizens, and cyclists have to be wary of the dangers that accompany riding a bicycle on the state’s busy roadways.

Marc Yonker, an attorney and co-founder of the Tampa Bay-area practice Winters & Yonker, believes a deeper understanding of safe driving and safe riding practices will go a long way toward ensuring the number of injuries and fatalities involving cyclists does not continue to rise as it did from 2014 to 2015, when, according to data provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, fatalities increased by more than 14 percent.

“By simply understanding and respecting Florida’s traffic rules, drivers and cyclists can help make South Florida’s roadways much safer for everyone involved,” said Yonker, who specializes in personal injury law. “Unfortunately, many accidents involving cyclists could have been easily prevented if the parties involved adhered to the rules and guidelines the state has put in place with the goal of increasing traffic safety.”

According to Yonker, many drivers and even some cyclists are unaware of the fact that a bicycle is designated as a vehicle in the state of Florida, meaning that cyclists must adhere to the same rules of the road as those driving an automobile. Cyclists have to abide by traffic signals and are required to use hand signals to indicate an intention to turn right or left. Yonker also noted that cyclists riding during low-light conditions are required to have a white front light and a red rear light to increase their visibility to drivers.

Although it might seem obvious, Yonker also emphasizes how important it is that a cyclist wear a helmet at all times. Even though it is not required of cyclists over the age of 16, Yonker notes that wearing a helmet greatly reduces the likelihood of sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during an accident.

Of course, drivers should also be mindful of sharing the road with cyclists and abiding by safe driving practices. When passing a cyclist -- even those riding in the shoulder or in a designated bike lane -- drivers must give at least three feet of clearance. Since oncoming traffic might make this difficult from time to time, drivers are expected to wait until they can safely pass the cyclist with a minimum of three feet of space.

With mutual respect and understanding for the rules of the road in Florida, cyclists and drivers can work together to ensure that everyone benefits from the peace of mind that comes with the ability to safely enjoy the endless array of outdoor activities made possible by the Sunshine State’s beautiful year-round climate.