This year has seen a texting while driving ban in Florida. Bicyclists know well the danger to them that distracted driving poses.

There is another type of distracted driving. It has to do with wearing a headset. It has never been easier to stream music. This means it has never been easier to listen to music while riding. Florida law regulates how we can legally listen to music while riding a bicycle. The same law applies to bicycle riders, motorcycle riders, and car and truck drivers.

There are two photos at the bottom of this blog. Each photo is of an object that lodged in the spokes of the front wheel of a bicycle, stopping the wheel’s movement.

Each cyclist pinwheeled over his handlebars and struck the ground, with catastrophic results. The crashes occurred more than three years apart. Neither bicycle was struck by a motor vehicle, another bicycle, or anything else.

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, January 30 2019

An excellent opportunity for you to learn about the issues and provide input about how to improve cycling safety in Collier County.

Come and learn what is being done by Collier County, the City of Naples, The Naples Pathway Coalition and The Naples VELO Bicycle Club to make the roads of Southwest Florida safer for you as a cyclist.

Sponsored By Naples Pathway Coalition and Naples VELO Bicycle Club

As cyclists we spend a lot of time and effort on our safety while bicycling. We wear reflective and bright clothing, have lights and reflectors on ourselves and our bikes, ride defensively, and choose the safest routes possible.

There was a horrific accident in Venice, Florida, in late October. It involved four experienced bicyclists between the ages of 55 and 67. They were struck from behind by a motor vehicle driven by a 91-year-old woman. All four bicyclists were hospitalized. One of them died.