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Florida averages over 100 annual deaths from bicycle accidents. This gives our state one of the highest average annual cyclist death rates per million residents in the nation.

Part of the problem that causes Florida to be above the national average in bike injuries and accidents is the poor bicycle accommodation in some of our larger cities. Based on county-reported statistics, between 2014 and 2021, the following were the top 10 Florida counties for bicycle crashes:

1. Miami-Dade
2. Broward
3. Pinellas
4. Hillsborough
5. Orange
6. Duval
7. Palm Beach
8. Pasco
9. Lee
10. Alachua 

MetroPlan Orlando, a metropolitan planning organization, reports bicycle accident statistics in two categories: adults and children. 

Adult Bicyclist Common Accidents:

• Failure to Yield by Motorist – 36 percent
• Failure to Yield by Bicyclist – 25 percent
• Crossing a Road – 15 percent
• Driver Overtaking Bicyclist – 10 percent
• Parking Lot Accidents – 3 percent
• Other – 11 percent 

Child Bicyclist Common Accidents:

• Failure to Yield by Bicyclists – 37 percent
• Failure to Yield by Motorists – 24 percent
• Crossing a Road – 15 percent
• Parking Log Accident – 7 percent
• Driver Overtaking Bicyclist – 5 percent
• Other – 12 percent 

Florida does have bicycle laws to protect bicyclists, but many are ignored by private and commercial car drivers, truck drivers, trucking companies, or municipal and local entities providing improper maintenance of roads and guardrails. 

When bicyclists and motorists share the roads, motorists need to remember their responsibility for safe driving. Bicyclists can experience devastating injuries, and even tragic deaths when they are hit by negligent drivers or encounter poorly maintained roadways. 

In a white paper executive summary, MetroPlan Orlando reminds drivers of the following when traveling with bicyclists: 

Bicyclists on the Roadway are Legal Vehicle Drivers

• Bicyclists are not required to use sidewalks or side paths. They may have legitimate safety reasons to avoid bike lanes and are not required to hug the right edge when a lane is too narrow to share. Pass safely and with courtesy, making a full lane change if a bicyclist is ahead of you in the same lane. 

Look Right

• Many bicyclists are uncomfortable using the roadway, so they use the sidewalk. A bicyclist on a sidewalk or path has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian, so they can travel in either direction. When crossing a sidewalk or side path from a cross street or driveway be sure to look well down the right side to see if a bicyclist is approaching from that direction. 

Some Bicyclists Are Fast

• Bicyclists can be faster than you expect, especially if they are on a bike lane or travel lane. Give yourself an extra second or so to make sure you understand how fast the bicyclist is moving so you don’t violate their right-of-way and cause a crash. 

Check Your Blind Spots

• Bicyclists can approach from behind on the right when you are turning right and can be hidden by vehicles on the other side of the road when you are turning left. Use extra care to check those spots when preparing for turns. 

Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. Assists Victims, and their Families Injured in Bicycle Accidents Caused by Negligent Motorists 

Fort Myers Bike Accident Attorney Randall Spivey and his legal team work to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions in causing bike accidents resulting in significant injuries and wrongful deaths. Some of the injuries bicyclists can receive in accidents include, but are not limited to, neurological damage, spine injuries, ruptured discs, bone fractures, head trauma, and/or facial injuries. Immediately after seeking medical attention, bicycle accident victims should contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com. There are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you, and we are always available 24/7.