Florida Legislative Update for Cyclists
The 2019 Florida Legislative Session begins on March 5, 2019, and from now until the end of session I’ll be posting updates and information on the status of bills that may effect bicyclists. In these updates there will be links to the information on the bills that I have previously written about and links to the text of the bills themselves, as well as the web sites for the sponsors and committees the bills are in front of.
Car safety systems could be making roads more dangerous
What was supposed to make driving safer appears to have the opposite effect. Technologies like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist could be giving drivers a false sense of security and causing them to reduce their concentration while driving.
From Banning Texting While Driving to Any Distracted Driving?
At the start of the year, there were three bills in the Florida Legislature that sought to address a glaring problem: police could not stop a driver using a cell phone to text or otherwise while driving. The ban is only a secondary offense under the current law, and police could only issue a citation if there is some other reason for the stop.
Will Florida finally ban distracted driving in 2019?
After a 2018 full of tragedy for cyclists and pedestrians, 2019 begins with hope that Florida’s laws will finally catch up with other states regarding distracted driving. This year begins with three bills filed in the Florida Legislature seeking to tackle the toothless law already in place that bans texting while driving.
Can Cyclists Ride in the Road?
Time and again, I hear people ask me why cyclists are in the road and if they are even allowed to ride there. I’ve personally had many yell at me while riding telling me to get out of the road. So, what are the rules of the road when it comes to cyclists?
Another State Adds the ‘Idaho Stop’
Colorado joined Idaho and Delaware in passing legislation that would allow cyclists the option of making an “Idaho Stop” at intersections. But what’s an “Idaho Stop?”
Finally, helmet safety ratings!
Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab just recently released its first set of safety ratings for bicycle helmets, and everyone should go take a look. Riders are constantly vigilant in looking out for their safety, so it’s surprising that it took this long to get a comprehensive look at what helmets are safe and why.