George C. Palaidis, The Bike Lawyer

08/20/2026

Two killed, 7 others injured, and a community is grieving over a crash that can easily be prevented. While the charges against the driver suggest criminal intent, we can still work to prevent these crashes.

Milligan said Brayden Rogers and Haylan Engdahl were killed in the crash Wednesday. John Benfield has been charged with vehicular homicide.

08/15/2026

Florida's own Department of Transportation measured 2,185 drivers passing a bicyclist on Florida roads. Then they recorded what each rider was wearing.
Riders in ordinary clothes got about four inches more room than riders in a cycling kit.
The state's researchers could not explain it. What they wrote was: "it is possible that motorists perceived less risk passing riders who were in bicycle outfit."
I also get into the 2023 study where people were shown photographs of cyclists and asked which one looked less human. The riders in safety vests scored worse than the riders in nothing.
New video is up.

Researchers showed 563 people pairs of photographs of cyclists and ...

08/07/2026

Roughly 1 in 10 bike crashes is caused by an opening car door.

Police data from Boston and San Francisco, two different cities, two different decades, land in almost the same place. Here’s what you can do about it.

Full breakdown is up now on The Bike Lawyer YouTube channel, link in bio.

08/04/2026

65% of bike crashes happen at intersections.

Only 30% of bicycle fatalities do.

Read that again. The crashes pile up at intersections, but that’s not where fatalities happen for cyclists. 60% of fatal crashes happen away from intersections, and overtaking crashes alone cause 1 in 4 deaths.

I break down the federal crash data and what it actually means for how you ride, full video is up on YouTube now (link in bio). 🚲

This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice.

07/08/2026

Florida law: drivers must give cyclists at least 3 feet when passing — even in a bike lane. 🚴‍♂️

Too many drivers ignore it, and close passes lead to side swipes, forced runoffs, and dangerous high-speed passes. That’s not just scary — it can be a legal violation. If it causes a crash, it’s often clear driver liability.

Cyclists are entitled to their space. Drivers are required to respect it.

🎥 Full video is up now on our YouTube channel, The Bike Lawyer — link in bio!

06/26/2026

A cyclist taking the whole lane isn’t being difficult. It’s safer.

If a lane is too narrow for a car and a bike to fit side by side with three feet between them, there’s no safe pass inside it. Hugging the curb just creates the illusion there’s room to squeeze by, and that’s how close-pass crashes happen. Taking the lane forces the driver to change lanes or wait.

Full video on bike crash prevention on my YouTube. Link in bio 🔗

Ride visible. Ride predictable. And stay safe out there.

06/25/2026

Don’t stare at the wall.

Racers and motorcyclists learn that on day one. If you fixate on the thing you’re trying not to hit, you drift right into it. It’s called target fixation, your hands follow your eyes, and whatever you stare at is often where you steer.

The same rule that protects racers protects cyclists and drivers. Look where you want to go.

Full breakdown on how this causes bike crashes (and how to prevent it) on my YouTube channel. Link in bio 🔗

Ride visible. Ride predictable. And stay safe out there.

06/05/2026

If you ride a bike in Florida at night, the law is specific.

From sunset to sunrise, your bicycle must have:
• A white front light visible from at least 500 feet
• A red rear reflector and red light visible from 600 feet

These are not suggestions. They are legal requirements designed to make sure drivers can see you before it’s too late.

Watch the full breakdown on the Palaidis Law YouTube channel. 🔗 Link in bio.

06/04/2026

If you ride a bike in Florida, this law matters.

Florida has specific rules for bicycle lights and reflectors, especially when riding between sunset and sunrise.

And if you’re hit by a car while riding, whether your bike had proper lights can become an issue in your injury case.

The law affects more than visibility. It can affect how insurance companies argue fault.

Watch the full breakdown on the Palaidis Law YouTube channel. 🔗 Link in bio.

06/03/2026