Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
Motorcycles can ride two wide. I may be wrong on the two wide for the bicycles, but I seem to recall reading that in the laws when the issue came up in the past.
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Something that ticked me off-bicycle related
- Thread starter 30A Skunkape
- Start date
NoHall
hmmmm......can't remember
I think the difference here is in "traffic flow speed." Two motorcycles can ride side by side at the speed limit without impeding traffic. In most areas, bicycles are not going 30-55 mph.
However, when I took the motorcycle test, I was told that riding side-by-side is not encouraged. Singin' Chicken may want to weigh in about legality versus common practice, but I was told that a group of bikes should ride in a staggered line. Side-by-side and single file is dangerous with motorcycles...
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
Roadway position
(Section 316.2065(5) and (6), F.S.)
arrow Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway, except under any of the following situations:
* when passing another bicycle or [other] vehicle proceeding in the same direction
* when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway
* when reasonably necessary to avoid any hazardous condition, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard-width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For the purposes of this subsection, a "substandard-width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
Since the law requires that an auto driver give cyclists three feet of room when passing, I'd say that by this law, a single bicycle could legally ride in the middle of the right hand lane, when traveling on most of 30A. Glad I looked that one up.
Found the other, and you are right. Here it is:
"Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall ride within a single lane."
(Section 316.2065(5) and (6), F.S.)
arrow Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway, except under any of the following situations:
* when passing another bicycle or [other] vehicle proceeding in the same direction
* when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway
* when reasonably necessary to avoid any hazardous condition, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard-width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For the purposes of this subsection, a "substandard-width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
Since the law requires that an auto driver give cyclists three feet of room when passing, I'd say that by this law, a single bicycle could legally ride in the middle of the right hand lane, when traveling on most of 30A. Glad I looked that one up.
Found the other, and you are right. Here it is:
"Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall ride within a single lane."
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
NoHall, back to your motorcycle question
(link)
Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane 316.209 - Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.--
(1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
However, you are right about riding staggered (not staggered drunk). It is preferred and safer than riding two abreast.
(link)
Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane 316.209 - Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.--
(1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
However, you are right about riding staggered (not staggered drunk). It is preferred and safer than riding two abreast.
Last edited:
NoHall
hmmmm......can't remember
TreeFrog
Beach Fanatic
For the record, I wasn't defending the folks riding 6 wide. I think that's pretty dumb. I firmly believe in single file. The exception would be a event like a sanctioned race - just like closing 30A for the Seaside half marathon.
But there is a recurring theme of folks bi***ing about a cyclist on 30A instead of the bike path. As I've said before, leave the type A attitude in Atlanta. You're not going to get anywhere in a hurry on 30A anyway, bikes in the way or no bikes in the way. Relax and enjoy the day.
But there is a recurring theme of folks bi***ing about a cyclist on 30A instead of the bike path. As I've said before, leave the type A attitude in Atlanta. You're not going to get anywhere in a hurry on 30A anyway, bikes in the way or no bikes in the way. Relax and enjoy the day.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
I tell you what, with all the talk of riding staggered, two abreast, etc, I know why biker's drink a lot and often have two breast riding on the back.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
As treefrog was saying,
From the Florida DOT comments under Driving on a shared-use path or sidewalk
(Section 316.1995, F.S.):
" There are many reasons a cyclist may prefer not to ride on a physically separated path on the side of a road. A faster cyclist may wish to avoid conflicts with pedestrians, skaters, and slower cyclists. A cyclist's destination may be on the opposite side of the road. A rider on the roadway is more likely to be seen by drivers making left and right turns off the roadway at side streets and driveways. "
From the Florida DOT comments under Driving on a shared-use path or sidewalk
(Section 316.1995, F.S.):
" There are many reasons a cyclist may prefer not to ride on a physically separated path on the side of a road. A faster cyclist may wish to avoid conflicts with pedestrians, skaters, and slower cyclists. A cyclist's destination may be on the opposite side of the road. A rider on the roadway is more likely to be seen by drivers making left and right turns off the roadway at side streets and driveways. "
Will B
Moderator
You said breast!
Riding staggered is the way to go and is definitely the safest. Oddly, the preferred way method of getting through stop signs is to pair up side by side and go through at the same time...