Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office would like all bicycle riders to be safe riders.
Here is a condensed version of Florida Bicycle Law 316.2065:
Any person operating a bicycle upon a one-way highway, with two or more
marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the right-hand curb or edge of such
roadway as practicable. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not
ride more than two abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside
for the exclusive use of bicycles.
Persons two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the
normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then
existing and shall ride within a single lane.
Any persons operating a bicycle shall keep at least one hand upon the handle-
bars. Every bicycle in use, between sunset and sunrise, shall be equipped with
a lamp on the front, exhibiting a white light, visible from a distance of at least
500 feet to the front and a lamp and reflector on the rear - each exhibiting a
red light, visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear. A bicycle or its rider
may be equipped with lights or reflectors, in addition to those required by
this section.
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.
A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway,
upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-a-way to any pedestrian and
shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes, which will enable its
rider to stop the bicycle within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour
on dry, level, clean pavement.
To read the bicycle law in its entirety, Google: Florida Bicycle Law 316.2065

> Discuss this entry

A Florida State House of Representatives' Committee passed a bill that would
strengthen Florida’s seat belt law, upgrading it to a tougher enforcement policy.
Now it has to be brought to the House floor for passage. However, an identical
bill in the Senate is not making any progress.

Will the Senate transportation committee approve it? This is the committee
that wanted to fine drivers for displaying "ornaments" that resemble
genitalia on or inside their vehicles. Well, they got their wish on April 23, 2008;
The Senate unanimously passed a bill that would ban replicas of male
genitalia on vehicles, commonly known as "truck nutz." The Senate's Highway
Safety Bill (SB 1992), however, conflicts with the House's version, which
doesn't include the amendment banning the vehicle ornaments often seen
hanging off the back of pickup trucks. If made law, the bill would allow officers
to ticket drivers $60 for the displays. Weston Democrat Sen. Nan Rich,
who has tried in vain for her bill allowing officers to stop motorists for
seat-belt violations, criticized the amendment.

Do "Truck Nutz" interest the committee more than passing a tougher
seatbelt law??? Hello? Where are their priorities? A safety belt law with
more "clout" could save 200 lives and prevent more than 2,700 serious
injuries in the first year alone. (experts estimate)

“Despite tremendous bipartisan support in the Senate, as demonstrated by
14 co-sponsors, the Transportation chairman refuses to give the bill a
hearing,” said Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president of AAA Auto Club
south, which supports the bill as its top safety priority. “We aren’t asking
for the Chairman’s vote, just his willingness to allow the bill to be
considered.”

What's in it for Floridians, besides safety? Well, Florida also stands to gain
an additional $35 million in federal grants for safety programs if it adopts the bill.

> Discuss this entry

According to the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,
Florida Statute 316.1955, handicapped parking areas can only be used by a driver
eligible for a handicap permit.

Frequently Asked Questions about Disabled Parking Permits

How do I get a disabled parking permit? Who is eligible?

You must obtain "Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit", form HSMV 83039,
through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Motor
Vehicles, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0620, or at any local
tag office. Submit the application, signed by a physician, to your local tax collector's
office with appropriate payment.
In addition to the completed form, be sure to bring:
* A copy of your Florida driver license or Florida identification card.
* Fees based on the fee chart on the application form.

After you have been issued a parking placard, you will receive a renewal notice before your next expiration date.

If you have any questions concerning the parking permit program, you may call your local county tax collector's office or the Division of Motor Vehicles Customer Service Section at (850) 488-388l.

Will everyone with a disabled parking permit be able to park for free at meters?

Anyone with a disabled parking permit who parks on the street at a turnstile meter will continue to park for free. However, there are new time restrictions; 4 hours maximum. The law also allows local municipalities to exceed the 4 hours maximum by local ordinance.

What are the guidelines for charging a person to park whose vehicle displays a disabled parking permit under the new law?

The law allows municipalities to remove free parking in the following settings: government lots that are used for entertainment, such as convention centers, cruise port terminals, sports stadiums, sports arenas, coliseums and auditoriums along with airports and city or municipal garages.

When free parking is removed as described above, the law requires the free parking be maintained only for those vehicles with ramps, lifts, hand controls or State of Florida toll exemption permits.

What is the limit on the number of days I can park using my disabled parking permit?

The new law allows facilities to restrict the number of days (in a row) a vehicle may be parked with a permit, if the number of days is being restricted for the general public.

What new requirements will assist with enforcement?

Access aisles are now a no parking zone for all vehicles whether the vehicle is displaying a disabled parking permit or not. The fine for parking in an access aisle is the same for the disabled parking space, most commonly $250. The placement of the identification number on the permit will allow the enforcement entity to request the identification card or driver license. They can then match the number on the ID to the number on the permit, and match the picture on the ID to the person using the permit. If anything does not match, a ticket will be written.

What will be done if someone uses a family members' permit or person uses a permit that does not belong to them?

Anyone who obtains or uses a permit that does not belong to them can be charged with a second degree misdemeanor - $500 fine or up to 6 months in jail. Improper use of the permit is now twice the fee of a disabled parking violation. This should deter people from loaning their permits to family members. It does not matter if you are running an errand for the person with a disability. If the person with a disability is not present -- the fine is $500.
Handicapped parking areas are marked by an approved sign on a post or building
at the head of a designated area in blue paint. The vehicle parked in that designated
space must have his/her permit prominently displayed. Out of state vehicles with
handicap license plates are recognized as valid in Florida.

> Discuss this entry