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The Naples Daily News reported on November 30, 2016 that a local bicycle club, the Naples Velo Bicycle Club, is promoting a road safety video “Stay In Your Lane.” The video is 30 seconds long designed to educate motorists and bicyclists. 

"In Florida, there's a 3-foot rule that requires when you’re passing a cyclist to provide at least a 3-foot clearance between your car and the bicycle. It may require the motorist to move over to the other lane, slow down or speed up," said Donald Rupprecht, the club's president. 

The Governors Highway Safety Association reports that Florida has consistently ranked high in the list of the most lethal states for cyclists. Florida reported 5,708 bicycle-related accidents and 188 deaths in 2016 as of November 22, 2016 according to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. 

Bicyclists have the same rights to the road as motorists and must obey the same traffic laws. In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle. The laws include stopping for stop signs and red lights, riding with the flow of traffic, using lights at night, and yielding the right-of-way when entering a roadway. 

Bicyclists can avoid dangers by adhering to Code of Conduct 

The Naples Velo Bicycle Club says: 

1. ALWAYS wear a helmet
2. Do not wear headphones
3. Never ride against traffic
4. Avoid riding on the sidewalk wherever possible
5. Stop for stop signs and red lights
6. Follow lane markings
7. Honor others right of way
8. Use hand signals and verbal communications
9. Call out debris in the road
10. Be predictable
11. Ride single file with traffic
12. When riding in a pace line:

          1)   Do not overlap with the bicycle in front of you.

          2)   Maintain an even pace and do not allow a gap to be created in front of you.

          3)   When rotating off the front, do not stop pedaling until you have moved off the front of the line.

          4)   Do not cut into the line unless the rider behind you has approved your move.

          5)   Be alert to the actions of the riders in front of you.

13. Don't unnecessarily block traffic.
14. Always use lights front and back at night and it also helps your visibility during the day.

Motorists can prevent bicycle accidents by respecting bicyclists’ rights.

The Florida Department of Transportation suggests that motorists abide by the following rules for bicycle accident prevention: 

1. Bicycles are vehicles. They belong on the road.
2. Cyclists need room to get around potholes, sewer grates and other obstructions.
3. Leave at least three feet when passing bicycles, more room at higher speeds.
4. Change lanes to pass any bicycle traveling in a narrow lane.
5. Train yourself to scan for fast moving bicycles and motorcycles in the opposing lane to you when turning left, and scan sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrians and bicyclists using the sidewalk and crosswalk as a pedestrian.
6. Always scan to your right side sidewalk before you leave a stop light or stop sign and to the left and right side sidewalks when on a one-way street. 

“It takes all of us to make the roads safer for everyone. Should you be injured in a bicyclist/motor vehicle collision, contact our experienced team of attorneys,” said Naples Bicycle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Naples Bicycle Accident Attorney,Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.