Tips Tuesday: National Engineers Week
February 18, 2026
| March is Florida Bicycle Month, a statewide effort to highlight bicycling as a way to commute to work, travel in your community, and enjoy the outdoors. From scenic trails and multi-use pathways to urban bicycle lanes and shared roadways, Florida offers a growing network of places to ride and explore. At the same time, bicycling remains an activity for which safety awareness and good habits make all the difference. In 2025, Florida recorded 9,914 bicycle crashes, resulting in 9,404 injuries and 201 fatalities, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Under Florida law, a bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle, and riders have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Bicycles are permitted to operate on most roadways, and riders must follow traffic signals, ride in the direction of traffic, and use lights at night (F.S. 316.2065 (5)(a)). Drivers, in turn, must share the road responsibly, including providing at least three feet of clearance when passing and remaining alert for bicyclists when turning or entering a roadway (F.S. 316.083 (2)). At the Florida Department of Transportation, advancing bicycle safety is part of our Target Zero goal to support roadways that work for Floridians and visitors using all kinds of wheels. Florida Bicycle Month is a great time to encourage everyday choices that prevent crashes before they happen. Take a moment to explore the ideas below and consider how you can support bicycle safety at work, in your community, and on your own trips. Raising Internal Awareness: No matter what office you officially call “home,” we all can play a role in supporting safety 🚴♀️Share the Alert Today Florida Bicycle Safety Knowledge quiz with colleagues and check out other important information on bicycling in the sunshine state. 🚴♀️Stay informed on bicycle and pedestrian safety initiatives by following updates and attending meetings hosted by the Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Coalition. 🚴♀️Include the attached Safety Moment Slide to remind peers to always make sure their ride is road-ready before biking with the ABC-E Quick Check List. 🚴♀️Test your knowledge and see if you can label all the parts of a bicycle with the attached activity sheet. Available to label directly within the pdf or you may print a hardcopy. In the Community: Grass-roots outreach efforts greatly improve safety messaging effectiveness – these one-on-one conversations have far-reaching impacts 🚴♀️Consider becoming a certified bicycle helmet fitter and volunteer with your District Safety Office to provide helmets and other safety gear to community members during outreach events. 🚴♀️Check out this map of Florida’s most popular cycling trails to plan a ride with neighbors and friends. 🚴♀️Want to meet other bicycle enthusiasts who share your passion for riding? Check social media, your city or county recreation page, and with local businesses for weekly meet-up groups for every-level cyclist. In Your Everyday Life: Even when you’re not “on-the-clock,” there are ways to improve safety culture in Florida Review Florida’s bicycle laws with the attached pocket guide for the details on how to ride safely and legally. Research any local regulations – many municipalities have their own rules for where bicycles can ride, especially for e-bikes. Invest in the right gear for every ride: 🚴♀️A well-fitted helmet that meets the mandatory federal safety standards (which applies to all helmets sold in the US) 🚴♀️A white front light, red back light, and reflectors for nighttime riding 🚴♀️Closed toe and secured shoes 🚴♀️Clothing/pants that are not loose Inspect your bicycle before every ride using the attached ABC-E Quick Check List. Whether you ride your bicycle daily, go for a ride on weekends, or simply share the road, your choices matter. Together, we can help ensure Florida is a place where bicycling is safe and enjoyable for everyone. There are many ways to support Target Zero through your work and interests. If you’re putting an idea into action, let us know so we can share your ideas with others too! Thank you for everything you do to make our roads safer! Savannah & the Target Zero Team |
