As the weather starts to warm up, it is likely that more bicyclists on the roads. Alachua County Public Works would like to help raise bicycle safety awareness by sharing a few facts and tips.
FACTS
- In 2017, Florida had the highest number of bicyclist fatalities in the nation and the highest fatality rate per million population.
- In 2019, there were 161 bicyclist fatalities in Florida.
- The majority of pedestrian and bicyclist accidents in Alachua County occur outside of designated crosswalks or bike lanes.
- Bicyclist deaths occur most often between 6 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. on the weekdays and 9 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on the weekends.
TIPS
- Those riding bicycles after dark should always have a bike light. Florida law requires lights on both the front and back of bikes.
- Ride bicycles in the same direction as the car traffic. Florida considers bikes to be vehicles. Cyclists must follow the same rules as drivers.
- Make sure bicycles are the right size. Riders shouldn’t struggle to reach the pedals. A bike that’s too big is hard to control.
More information about bicycling, bicycling laws, and bicyclist safety can be found at the following websites:
For more information, contact Alachua County Public Works Senior Engineer Technician Beth Dodd at 352-316-5609 or
bdodd@alachuacounty.us.