New Laws & Regulations For Bicyclists And Motorists In Effect

New regulations for bicyclists and motorists are now in effect with the passage of Senate Bill 950 as of July 1, 2021. According to the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency, the new laws enact the following:

• Defines the terms “bicycle lane” and “separated bicycle lane”;
• Provides requirements for a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or other nonmotorized vehicle, or an electric bicycle occupying the same travel lane;
• Requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to provide an awareness campaign regarding vehicles overtaking a bicycle, other nonmotorized vehicle, or an electric bicycle;
• Provides that no-passing zones do not apply to drivers who safely and briefly drive to the left of center of the roadway to overtake a bicycle, other nonmotorized vehicle, or an electric bicycle;
• Requires a vehicle making a right turn while overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, to do so only if the bicycle is at least 20 feet from the intersection, and is of such a distance that the driver of a vehicle may safely turn;
• Authorizes bicyclists riding in groups, after coming to a full stop, to go through an intersection in groups of 10 or fewer;
• Provides riders may ride two abreast if certain conditions exists; and
• Requires at least 25 questions in the test bank for the driver license test to address bicycle and pedestrian safety.

The new law states “a person who violates this section commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.”

Click here to see the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency’s report on the new law and how it may affect your daily commute. While there is no definite reporting on how the new laws will be enforced, transportation leaders said they plan to reach out to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to understand new protocols.