Biking & Cycling in Indian Rocks Beach

Peddle power is a great way to get around and see the sites during your visit to Indian Rocks Beach. Whether you bring your own bicycle, take advantage of bicycles provided by your vacation rental host, or rent a bicycle from one of the local rental businesses; cycling is a fun, healthy, and inexpensive way to explore all of the beach communities.

Bicycle lanes run the full length of Gulf Blvd. in each of the beach towns, making it convenient for cyclists' to get around the "beaches". Bicycle racks are plentiful throughout Indian Rocks (and other communities), so locking-up is usually not a problem.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority offers a "Bikes on Buses" program that allows you to take your bike on the Beach Trolley. They even provide a video that explains exactly how to load your bicycle on the specially designed bike carrier (on the front of the bus/trolley). You can view the video here.

The Pinellas Trail, which is located on the mainland, is another great way to enjoy cycling, and to see the sites of several mainland towns. For detailed information about the Pinellas Trail check out the official "Guide to the Pinellas Trail" on the Pinellas County website.

Basic safety reminders for cycling in Florida

1. Always take an adequate supply of fresh water with you to avoid dehydration.

2. Apply sunscreen of SPF 45 or higher before you head-out. Reapply every couple hours if needed.

3. Do not drink & ride. You can be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

4. If you ride in the evening be sure to have the proper equipment on your bicycle (lights).

5. Wear brightly colored clothing so you are easily visible to drivers & pedestrians.

6. Familiarize yourself with the Florida traffic laws for bicyclists (listed below).

Florida traffic laws for bicyclists and motorists to know...

Florida Bike Laws from The Florida Department of Transportation

Operating in traffic is a cooperative activity, conducted according to rules. Following the rules and applying the skills needed to observe them promotes safe and efficient travel. Drivers who see and can predict each other's actions are less likely to conflict with each other. The Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law (Chapter 316, Florida Statutes; clicking on this link will open another instance of the web browser) governs the operation of all vehicles operated on public roads in Florida. For the actual wording of the sections cited below, the text of the Uniform Traffic Control Law should be consulted.

Legal status of bicycles - (Sections 316.003(2), (10) and 316.2065(1), F.S.)
A bicycle is classified as a vehicle. A person in control of a vehicle on a street or highway is a driver. As a driver, a cyclist must follow the traffic rules common to all drivers. As the driver of a bicycle, he must also obey regulations adopted specially for bicycles. A person riding a bicycle has all the rights applicable to any driver, except as to special regulations for bicycles.

Definition of "Bicycle" - (Section 316.003(2), F.S.)
Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or a similar device. No person under the age of 16 may operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle.
Comment: A motorized bicycle that satisfies this definition is nevertheless subject to restrictions on sidewalks (see "Sidewalk riding" below).

Traffic law highlights - for cyclists

Driving on right side of roadway -(Section 316.081, F.S.)
Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven on the right half of the roadway.

Comment: A cyclist on a roadway must ride on the side reserved for his direction of travel. Riding in the opposite direction, so as to face oncoming traffic, doubles the risk of collision with a motor vehicle and is a contributing factor in about 15 percent of bicycle-motor vehicle crashes. Motorists
entering and leaving roadways at intersections and driveways do not expect traffic to approach from the wrong direction.

Equipment requirements and carriage of passengers -(Section 316.2065(2), (3), (7), (8), and (14), F.S.)
A bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front and both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from 600 feet to the rear.

Comment: Over half of fatal bicycle crashes in Florida occur after sunset, even though most cycling is done during daylight hours. Battery-and generator-powered headlamps are available. If a cyclist uses battery-powered lamps, it may be necessary to carry spare batteries or to mount additional lamps as spares (some LED lamps last for many hours). Rear reflector and taillamp should be aimed straight back.

A bicycle rider or passenger under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted, fastened securely, and meets a nationally recognized standard.

Comment: Head injuries account for about one third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycle-related injuries. Bicycle helmets, properly fitted and worn, have been found effective in reducing the incidence and severity of head, brain, and upper facial injury. The role model effect of adults is an important factor in enhancing helmet wearing by youth. By federal law, bicycle helmets sold in the US are required to meet the standard of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Bicyclists must use a fixed, regular seat for riding.
A bicycle may not be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.
An adult bicyclist may carry a child in a backpack or sling, child seat or trailer designed to carry children.
A bicyclist may not allow a passenger to remain in a child seat or carrier when not in immediate control of the bicycle.
At least one hand must be kept on the handlebars while riding.
Every bicycle must be equipped with a brake or brakes which allow the rider to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

Sidewalk riding -(Section 316.2065(10) and (11), F.S.)
A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.
Comment: Sidewalks are not designed for bicycle speeds, but a bicycle propelled by human power may be used except where prohibited by local ordinance (e.g. in the central business districts of many cities). No bicycle may be propelled by other than human power on a sidewalk. Although a cyclist riding on a sidewalk has the rights and duties of a pedestrian, he is still a "bicycle rider" and his bicycle is still a "bicycle". Consequently, laws that pertain to required equipment and to carriage of passengers (see above) are still applicable.

Since a cyclist riding on a sidewalk does not have the duties (or rights) of a driver, he may ride in either direction. (However, it is safer to ride in the direction of traffic, since drivers do not expect cyclists to come from the other direction at driveways and crosswalks. Crash risk is 3 to 4 times as great for sidewalk riders who ride facing roadway traffic as for sidewalk riders who ride in the direction of traffic.)

At a signalized intersection, a sidewalk rider must obey the instructions of any applicable pedestrian control signal. That is, he may start to cross a roadway in a crosswalk only during a steady Walk phase, if one is displayed. If no pedestrian signal is provided, the cyclist may proceed in accordance with the signal indications for the parallel roadway traffic flow (Section 316.075, F.S.).

A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.

For more information and the most current information on this topic please visit the Florida Department of Transportation website at: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/laws/ped_bike_bikeLaws1.shtm